Family Support Specialists – Adult Services

Serving San Luis Obispo and North Santa Barbara Counties, Family Support Specialists provide education, information, and support to help families and loved ones navigate the public and private mental health systems. We create a caring and confidential environment where family members and friends can gain a better understanding of mental health challenges, access resources, and develop skills to support their loved ones while also caring for themselves. All services are available in both English and Spanish.

Family Services Classes & Education Programs

Family Services offers free educational classes and support programs designed to provide families and caregivers with information, resources, and tools to better understand mental health, support their loved ones, and navigate available services.

Family Orientation Class

The Family Orientation Class is a one-day, six-hour workshop designed for family members, friends, and loved ones of individuals who have, or may be experiencing, a mental health condition.

This workshop provides education about mental health, as well as information about community programs and support services available to families.

Participants must attend the full six-hour workshop to receive class materials.

This class is FREE.

Upcoming Classes:
Check back later for upcoming class dates.

For more information, call:
(805) 540-6571

Families, Mental Illness, and the Judicial System Class

This six-hour class is designed for individuals who have a loved one with a mental health condition who is currently involved, previously involved, or at risk of becoming involved with the judicial system.

The goal of this class is to help families better understand how to support their loved ones, navigate the legal system, and reduce barriers while their loved one continues working toward recovery and meeting legal obligations.

Participants must attend the full six-hour workshop to receive class materials.

This class is FREE.

Upcoming Classes:
Check back later for upcoming class dates.

For more information, call:
(805) 540-6571

Triple P – Positive Parenting Program

The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is one of the world’s most effective parenting programs and is supported by more than four decades of ongoing scientific research.

Triple P provides parents and caregivers with practical skills and strategies to:

Raise confident, healthy children.
Build stronger family relationships.
Manage challenging behaviors and prevent future concerns.
Develop parenting approaches that fit their own values, beliefs, and family needs.

Triple P does not tell parents how to parent. Instead, it provides tools and strategies that families can adapt to support their unique circumstances.

All classes are FREE.

NAMI Family-to-Family Education Program

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Family-to-Family Education Program is a free, 12-week course designed to provide education and support for family members who have a loved one experiencing mental health challenges.

The program provides information about mental health conditions, treatments, and recovery, while also offering caregivers tools for communication, coping, and self-care.

Topics include education and support related to:

Schizophrenia.
Major depression.
Bipolar disorder.
Panic disorder.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Borderline personality disorder.
Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Click here to view upcoming NAMI Family-to-Family classes available near you.

For additional information:

NAMI San Luis Obispo County
Phone: (805) 543-1825

North Santa Barbara County
Contact: Maggy Sosa
Phone: (805) 441-3325

NAMI Santa Barbara County
Phone: (916) 567-0163

For More Information

Esme Vasquez
Family Services Assistant Program Manager
Phone: (805) 540-6571
Email: EVasquez@t-mha.org