The Library is for everyone. It’s a place where people of all ages, genders, races, and abilities can enjoy a safe community gathering space. The Library offers a diverse range of facilities, services, and resources for all, but there are some services library patrons need that library staff aren’t trained to provide. To address this, the Library has begun to partner with other county departments that have the expertise needed.
In recent years, the Library has experienced an uptick in patrons suffering from trauma, mental illness, substance abuse, and other issues beyond the scope of services provided by library staff. In response, the Library partners with Contra Costa County Behavioral Health to place a social work team, comprised of a clinical social worker and a community support worker, at the Antioch, Concord, and San Pablo libraries. The team provides education, resources, and referrals as needed, and also offers meditation and art sessions.
The Library also partners with the Employment & Human Services Department (EHSD) to place family navigators at the same three libraries to help families get access to important support services. They help with things like rent assistance, EBT, healthcare, and citizenship. The navigators can also assist families in signing up for Cash Aid, Medi-Cal, or CalFresh, Senior Services, Family Services, Immigration Aid, and help with medical coverage.
The social work team, combined with the family navigators, makes up the Library Wellness Team. They are at the Concord Library on Mondays and Tuesdays from 10-4; the San Pablo Library on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10-4; and the Antioch Library on Fridays from 9-4.
For more information, the Contra Costa County Behavioral Health social work team can be reached by calling (925) 313-1151, and the family navigators can be reached by email at 4ourfamilies@ehsd.cccounty.us or by calling (925) 335-6581.
If you know someone who might benefit from their services, or if you would like to take advantage of what they have to offer, please stop by.