If you’re in crisis and searching for free help in Stanislaus County, you don’t have time to click through a hundred websites and call phone numbers that never pick up. Whether you’re looking for emergency housing, food pantries near you, free mental health services, low‑cost medical clinics, legal aid, or financial assistance, the fastest way to see all your local options in one place is through Help Is Hope.

If you have Medi‑Cal and you’re struggling with housing, mental health, addiction, chronic illness, or constant emergencies, your insurance can often pay for extra help most people don’t know about. This extra help can include someone whose job is to help you manage everything, plus support with housing, appointments, transportation, food, and recovery — at no cost to you. You don’t have to figure all of this out by yourself. A simple way to start is by going to Help Is Hope

When life feels overwhelming, and the barriers seem too high to climb, finding a path forward can feel impossible. You might be facing homelessness, mental health struggles, substance use challenges, or the weight of reentry after incarceration. These are not just problems to solve—they are lived experiences that shape your story. Help Is Hope in Modesto is here to walk alongside you, not as a distant service, but as a community rooted in real relationships, peer support, and

Your Medi-Cal plan through Health Net or Health Plan San Joaquin covers Non-Medical Transportation (NMT)—reimbursement for gas mileage, bus passes, taxi, or train tickets to medical appointments if you lack reliable transportation. You attest you have no other way to get to appointments, and the plan reimburses your costs. Transportation is the #2 barrier to healthcare access. Help Is Hope helps you understand NMT eligibility and access transportation reimbursement through yo

Your Medi-Cal plan through Health Net or Health Plan San Joaquin covers comprehensive Substance Use Disorder Residential Treatment including detoxification, 90-day residential programs, medication-assisted treatment, and aftercare—with no waiting lists or bed limits. Drug Medi-Cal through CalAIM ensures treatment access in the Central Valley. Help Is Hope care team connects eligible members to appropriate treatment levels and coordinates recovery support throughout your journ

They have never had a panic attack in a grocery store because she couldn't afford the food. Never chosen between medication and rent. Never heard voices telling them they are worthless. Never had to white-knuckle their way through another day of sobriety knowing the cravings might win. But someone has. And if you have Health Net or Health Plan of San Joaquin Medi-Cal coverage, you can work with that person for free. Peer Support Specialists are people with lived experience

Sobering Centers provide safe, free, 24/7 crisis care for people under the influence of alcohol or drugs—an alternative to ER visits and jail. Through CalAIM Community Supports, Health Net and Health Plan San Joaquin members access Sobering Centers with medical monitoring, meal support, withdrawal management, and treatment connections. No police, no arrest, no bill. Help Is Hope care team connects members to local Sobering Centers and supports engagement with substance use tr

Medi-Cal covers Community Health Worker (CHW) services providing health education, navigation, advocacy, and resource connection through Health Net and Health Plan San Joaquin. CHWs speak your language, understand your culture, and work in your community as trusted health educators and navigators. Services address chronic disease management, preventive health, maternal health, mental health, and social determinants. Help Is Hope employs multilingual CHWs throughout Central Va

Medi-Cal covers Peer Support Specialists—certified professionals with lived experience of recovery from mental illness, substance use, homelessness, and trauma. Through CalAIM, Health Net and Health Plan San Joaquin members access peer support via phone, in-person, or telehealth. Peer support specialists help you create recovery plans, navigate systems, build community, and maintain hope. Help Is Hope employs peer specialists and connects members to peer support services in t

The ER Will Cost Thousands and Leave Them Traumatized. There's Another Option. What if there was a different option? If you have Health Net or Health Plan of San Joaquin Medi-Cal coverage and you or someone you care about struggles with substance intoxication, there's something called a Sobering Center. And it's nothing like the ER.

Many people know Medi-Cal as a health coverage program, but it offers much more than just medical care. For Medi-Cal participants, especially those enrolled through Health Net or Health Plan of San Joaquin, there are several lesser-known services designed to support housing stability, recovery, and overall well-being. These benefits can make a real difference in daily life, helping members find safe housing, maintain their homes, and access specialized health support.

In today's fast-paced world, the demand for effective behavioral health support is at an all-time high. At Help Is Hope, we are leading the charge in creating an innovative, peer-based recovery organization. By combining the latest digital technology with human connection, we are transforming the landscape of behavioral health support. Our mission is simple: to build an environment where individuals can thrive, knowing that help is always within reach.