SAY – Helping Youth and
Families Help Themselves.
Frequently Asked Questions
SAY General FAQ
Q: When did Social Advocates for Youth (SAY) begin?
A: SAY began as a counseling agency in 1971 in downtown Santa Rosa.
Q: Where is SAY located?
A: SAY has five locations throughout Sonoma County. See CONTACTS.
Q: Who does SAY serve?
A: SAY serves at-risk children, youth, and young adults through age 25 who reside in Sonoma County.
Q: Are any of your programs offered in Spanish?
A: Yes. Many of our counseling, prevention, and diversion programs are offered in Spanish. See programs.
Q: What are your hours?
A: Each location has different hours. See contacts.
Q: Where does most of SAY’s money come from?
A: 85% of SAY’s budget comes from local, county, state, and federal grants, as well as foundations. The remaining 15% is from private donors and funds raised through SAY’s annual BIG EVENT.
Q: What is SAY’s annual budget?
A: SAY’s annual budget for FY 2009/2010 is $3.5 million dollars.
Q: How many people does SAY serve?
A: SAY served approximately 6,500 Sonoma County residents last year.
Q: How can I help SAY?
A: There are many ways. We always appreciate financial donations, as well as in-kind donations.
Q: If I donate (cash or in-kind) can I designate which office or program the money is for?
A: Yes. All donations can be earmarked for a particular SAY office or program. Contact Matt Martin, Director of Community Resources, 707-544-3299, ext. 226; .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Q: Are there currently any volunteer opportunities at SAY?
A: Yes. Please call our Volunteer Coordinator, Serene Cooper, at 707-544-3299, ext. 216 or email serene at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
Q: Does SAY have any job openings?
A: All SAY job openings are posted on our website and on Craig’s List.
Medi-Cal Counseling Clinic FAQ
Q: If I think my child is having a psychiatric emergency, what should I do?
A: Call Sonoma County Psychiatric Emergency Services at 707-576-8181.
Q: How can I get counseling?
A: Call Elizabeth Goldman at ext. 707-544-3299, ext. 210 or Carolyn Caskey at 707-544-3299, ext. 209.
Q: Whom do I call for Medi-Cal or Healthy Families counseling?
A: Elizabeth Goldman at ext. 707-544-3299, ext. 210 or Carolyn Caskey at 707-544-3299, ext. 209.
Q: What if I don’t have the above coverage?
A: Call Elizabeth or Carolyn Caskey and they will give you a referral, or you can call SAY’s Coffee House Teen Shelter for a referral 707-546-3432.
Q: If I don’t have Medi-Cal or Healthy Families Insurance and I think I may be eligible, whom do I call?
A: Call the Medi-Cal Eligibility Office at 1-877-699-6868 or apply in person at 2550 Paulin Drive, Santa Rosa, CA.
Dr. James E. Coffee House Teen Shelter - FAQ
Q: Where is Coffee House located?
A: Coffee House is near the Santa Rosa Junior College and Arts and Ethics High School in Santa Rosa.
The address is 1243 Ripley Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95401, tel 707-546-3432
Q: If I think my child is in crisis, what should I do?
A: Call the Coffee House Crisis Hotline at 1-800-544-3299 or come to Coffee House.
Q: What services does Coffee House provide?
A: We provide temporary emergency housing for runaway and throw-away youth ages 12-17, food, clothing, and support.
Q: Is Coffee House a locked facility?
A: No. California law prohibits locked facilities for non-criminal minors.
Q: How old does my youth have to be to be a resident?
A: Youth must be between 12 and 17 years old.
Q: What are the rules for residents?
A: Residents are required to attend school, participate in family counseling sessions, and abide by basic house rules.
Q: What about transportation to school?
A: SAY does not provide transport for residents. However, staff will help residents find their best option for getting to school whether it is public transport, a friend, or a family member.
Tamayo House FAQ
Q: What is Tamayo House?
A: Tamayo House is a drug free, coed, transitional living rental program for youth ages 18-24 who are homeless or have previously been in foster care.
Q: How do I apply?
A: The first step in applying is contacting a Youth Advocate (707) 528-7500 who will schedule a time to give a tour of the building, give you an application, and answer any questions you may have.
Q: Does it cost anything to live at Tamayo House?
A: Yes. All tenants pay rent monthly and there is a move-in deposit fee.
Q: How long can I live at Tamayo House?
A: Tenants can live at Tamayo House until they turn 25. The average length of stay is approximately 9-18 months. The Youth Advocates work actively with tenants to plan for a future move to their own apartment/house.
Q: Is Tamayo House like a group home?
A: No. Renters will live by the conditions set forth in their lease agreement and have few other rules. Renters will receive support and guidance from the Youth Advocates but will ultimately be expected to make their own decisions and take their own actions.
Q: What’s the structure like:
A: Tenants living at Tamayo House are in charge of structuring their own time. It is part of the lease agreement that tenants will engage in 20 hours a week of a community activity (school, work, volunteering, etc), meet weekly with a Youth Advocate to discuss individual goals, and attend bi-weekly community meetings. Tamayo House offers additional group activities to assist youth in developing skills but does not require participation.
Q: Is there a curfew?
A: No. Tenants come and go on their own schedule. There is a quiet time for the building in which all tenants and guests are expected to limit noise.
Q: How many people live at Tamayo House?
A: There is space for 24 people to live at Tamayo House.
Q: Do I have my own room? Can I lock my room?
A: Tamayo House offers single occupancy and shared occupancy rooms. The shared occupancy rooms have lower rental rates and more affordable move-in costs. It is expected that all tenants will lock and secure their own units to secure their personal belongings and space.
Q: Can I have guests?
A: Yes. Guests of all ages are welcome during the daytime. Tenants can have guests aged 18 and over stay the night up to 6 non-consecutive nights per month. Tenants are responsible for the actions of their guests. Tamayo House reserves the right to ask disruptive guests to leave.
Q: Is there wireless internet?
A: Yes.
Q: Can couples or children live there?
A: No. Only emancipated minors are able to live at Tamayo House.
Q: Can tenants have pets?
A: Tenants who need a companion animal and who have documentation to support this need from a licensed practitioner may have any number of caged pets. No dogs or cats allowed with the exception of service dogs.
Q: What comes in the rooms?
A: The rooms are unfurnished. The Youth Advocates are available to help tenants seek donations if furniture items are need but otherwise tenants are responsible to bring their own furnishings, dishes, bedding, hygiene products, stamps, etc.
Q: Can I work or go to school while I live there?
A: Yes. It is part of the lease agreement that all tenants will engage in 20 hours a week of a community based activity (school, work, volunteering, self help programs, etc). This does not have to be in place to move in but it is expected to be in place after 6 weeks of tenancy.
Q: Is there 24 hour staffing?
A: Yes. There are two Youth Advocates and a Property Manager that work during regular business hours. After hours there are Peer Facility Monitors who live and work at the facility.
Youth Employment Center FAQ
Q: Can you get me a job?
A: We provide services to help you find jobs and be successful in obtaining a job. We make it easy for you to find out which employers are hiring in Sonoma County. We offer resume building, mock interviews, and professional development workshops.
Q: How long does it take to find a job?
A: That depends on many factors – the motivation of the individual, the job market, and the time you are willing to put in filling out applications, practicing interviewing, and polishing your resume.