Alameda County Superior Court
Juvenile Delinquency Court Self Help

What Services Are Available For Family Members?

1. Victim-Witness Services and Funding:

   Victims of crime are entitled to significant benefits for losses they have incurred including up to $10,000 in mental health treatment coverage.

   1. Anyone who is a direct victim of crime can qualify for these services. A person who has witnessed domestic violence (including a child) can recover these benefits. Additionally, a caretaker for children who has been exposed to crime including domestic violence can qualify for these benefits.

   2. To obtain these benefits, contact the social worker on the case or contact the Victim-Witness program at 1401 Lakeside Drive, Suite 802, Oakland, California 94612 or by phone at (510) 272-6780.

2. Mediation

   The primary purpose of the court’s involvement in child abuse and neglect cases is preserving and helping families. Yet the adversarial nature of court proceedings in these non-criminal cases can re-traumatize children and undermine families.

   Dependency Mediation is a program of the Juvenile Court that provides an alternative to contested hearings and allows for the parents and other parties to more directly participate in the resolution of issues. The mediator, parents, child welfare worker, and other participants meet in a neutral setting to express ideas and concerns, explore solutions and create binding agreements. With the judge’s review and approval, the written agreements become court orders.

   Dependency Mediation Program
   Families & Children’s Bureau
   Superior Court of California
   600 Washington Rm. 4060
   Oakland, CA 94607

   Hours:	8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
   Tel:	268-7391
   FAX:	208-1164
   Email:	familiesandchildrensbureau@alameda.ca.gov

   Hayward Hall of Justice Mediation Site is located at:
   224 West Winton Ave, Room 208
   Hayward, CA, 94544

   Click here for details.