MHCAN runs/sponsors a wide variety of programs for people with mental health disabilities. The primary programs, operated by MHCAN, are the self-help drop-in center, the kitchen and the computer lab.

In addition to these programs MHCAN operates and/or sponsors more than 20 peer run support groups which meet at the MHCAN facility located at:

1051 Cayuga St. Santa Cruz, CA 95062
(corner of Soquel and Cayuga)
See Location for Maps and Directions
(831) 469-0462

Click here for a complete list of MHCAN Groups and Contacts

 
 

The MHCAN drop-in center is a peer run, self-help, drop-in center where people with mental disabilities can congregate and socialize in a safe place, free from the stigma of mental illness imposed by society. The drop-in center is a large room with comfortable chairs/couches to relax in as well as tables and chairs to sit at to play board games including: chess, checkers, scrabble, etc. The following documents are related to the drop-in center:

Adjacent to the drop-in is a kitchen where clients can cook themselves a meal, either from food they bring or from food supplied by MHCAN. Food is donated to us on a regular basis from several Santa Cruz businesses including Odwalla and The Buttery. We also send two staff members to the Second Harvest Food Bank in Watsonville where we get a substantial amount of food. In addition to all of that MHCAN purchases regular and decaffeinated coffee, non-dairy creamer, sugar and sugar substitute and coffee filters in sufficient amounts for there to always be coffee available to all MHCAN clients.
 

 

The MHCAN Computer Lab is equipped with 14 Windows™ Computers. All of them are networked and the network is connected to a DSL line providing each computer with high speed internet access.

MHCAN depends on donations for our computers. We used to have several Macintosh computers but they were outdated and recent donations have not included newer Macs.

We have three printers:

  • Hewlett-Packard 2200tn laser printer for fast black and white printing
  • Hewlett-Packard DeskJet 1220C for high quality color printing
  • Hewlett-Packard OfficeJet K60 which also does high quality color printing, and faxing, scanning, and copying.

We also have a Hewlett-Packard Scanjet 5200C scanner with OCR software.

There is an ongoing budget crisis at MHCAN. The high usage of computer supplies, and cost thereof, has contributed significantly to the straining of the computer budget. Consequently, new policies went into effect on August 4, 2003. These policies are outlined below.

  • Monthly Subscription Fee: $10
    Regular users have the option to subscribe for unlimited usage by paying a monthly membership fee of $10—$5 after the middle of the month. Benefits include:
    o Use of dedicated computer, chosen from available units. (Previous month’s preferred user will have two (2) working days of new month to reselect the computer. After this grace period, unit becomes available to all.) Courtesy is expected when bumping a casual user!
    o Monthly subscriber may print up to ten (10) laser printed pages per day. Afterwards, Printing Charges apply (see below).
  • Per Diem Users: $1 per day
    Occasional users will be charged $1 per day for unlimited usage of any available computer. When a subscriber claims their preferred computer, occasional user will vacate in a reasonable period of time—probably not more than 4 minutes.
  • Casual Users: No usage fee
    Subject to computer availability, users performing minimal-time tasks—like checking e-mail, and first time users, will not be charged. Minimal-time tasks will be approximately 15 minutes or less. First time users will be assisted, while staff is available, until deemed proficient.
  • Printing Charges
    o Laser Printer Charges – $.05 per page
    o DeskJet Printer – $.50 per page

    Users will be expected to report, accurately and honestly, the number of pages on each printer, and to pay for pages printed. Thank you for your cooperation. (Plans are to install a printer server and software to monitor printing by all MHCAN computers.)