Caminar’s commitment to the county

Treatment program closures aren’t stories about StarVista or Caminar; CalAIM payment reforms have impacted and continue to affect other organizations in San Mateo County, the Bay Area and throughout California.

The county, in its final negotiations, required an 85% utilization rate. Yet, the fundamental issue is there were not enough Medi-Cal eligible clients who would have fit the specific clinical criteria for admission to Redwood House to maintain the utilization rates required for sustainability.

Caminar’s board carefully weighed program closure decisions after rigorous negotiations and the exhaustion of other remedies, while prioritizing the impact of program closures on clients, staff and our community.

Caminar’s rebrand expenses did not divert funds from any program budgets. The rebrand is essential to better compete for limited financial resources and improve access to quality behavioral health care for the broader community. We remain steadfast in delivering care to our most vulnerable neighbors, and the need for care has increased for youth, families and adults.

Caminar is deeply committed to San Mateo County and continues to provide care to Medi-Cal eligible members through its many other contracts. We take seriously our mission to build strength and stability through comprehensive, evidence-based, and whole-person mental health and substance use treatment and wraparound services.

Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH

CEO, Caminar

San Mateo