Championing the Needs of Older Adults
Specializing in mental health, workforce development, and community engagement, along with a full range of other aging services, Felton Institute’s Senior Division helps older adults flourish in their communities with dignity, security, and a high quality of life.
Division Location(s) / Service Area
The Senior Division operates programs in six Bay Area counties – the City and County of San Francisco, as well as Marin, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz Counties.
Felton’s History of Service for Older Adults
Felton has been serving older adults since its early leader, Dr. Katherine “Kitty” Felton, began services for the residents of San Francisco in 1889. Since that time, Felton has been at the forefront of innovative initiatives for older adults. In the 1960s, the first intergenerational program, The Foster Grandparent Program, was introduced – it’s hailed as Felton’s longest continuously operating enterprise. In the 1970s, funding from the federal Older Americans Act, brought the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, the Senior Companion Program, and a number of ongoing case management and senior center programs. In the 1980s, Felton began providing programs for older adults experiencing mental health issues.
Today Felton is considered the specialists for older adult populations in San Francisco and Alameda counties. Felton serves unhoused seniors as they transition and thrive in permanent housing in the community, as well as starting a new Tech Squad to help older adults become part of the increasingly digital world.
Sliding Scale Policy at Felton Institute’s 1500 Franklin Clinic in San Francisco:
No one will be denied access to services due to inability to pay. There is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available, based on family size and income.
For general inquiries regarding Felton Institute’s Senior Services Programs, please contact:
Cathy Spensley, MSW, LCSW
Felton Institute Division Director, Senior Services
Phone: (415) 474-7310 x 435 | Fax: (415) 447-9805 | Email: cspensley@felton.org
East Bay Office: 1005 Atlantic Avenue Alameda CA 94501
San Francisco Office: 1500 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
OLDER ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES – SAN FRANCISCO
Older Adult Full Service Partnership Program (FSP)
A collaborative partnership with other community-based programs to support older adults, age 60 and older, in need of intensive case management, including mental health and substance abuse treatment, medical health care, housing assistance, vocational and educational support and therapy.
Clinic: 1500 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
60 years and older.
Program Director: Ellen Harrington, LCSW, 415-474-7310, ext. 442
Older Adult Intensive Case Management (ICM) and Outpatient Mental Health (OMH) Services
Comprehensive case management, therapy, and psychiatric services provided for older adults with mental health concerns, including substance abuse, to help maintain independence and dignity while aging in place. Includes a specialized Intensive Case Management team. In-home and clinic-based services offered, including evidence-based practices and assessments.
Clinics at 1500 Franklin Street and 6221 Geary Blvd., San Francisco, CA 94121.
Referrals for Intensive Case Management (ICM): Community Behavioral Health Services (CBHS), San Francisco Department of Public Health. Referrals for Outpatient Mental Health (OMH) Services also include from the community and walk-ins at 1500 Franklin Street.
60 years and older
- Program Director ICM and OMH Downtown (1500 Franklin):
Monique Hamilton, LCSW, 415-474-7310, ext. 491Program Manager OMH Downtown (1500 Franklin):
Sharon Mercer, LPCC, 415-474-7310, ext. 245Program Director OMH West (6221 Geary):
Ellen Harrington, LCSW, 415-474-7310, ext. 442
Flexible Subsidy Housing Program
For individuals who have experienced homelessness before being placed in Shelter-in-Place Hotels during the pandemic, this program provides services to move into subsidized, permanent scattered housing in the community.
Funded by the San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (HSH); in partnership with Brilliant Corners and other housing and community partners. Referrals by HSH
Location: 1500 Franklin Street, San Francisco, CA 94109
Program Director: Analuz Tapia, LCSW, 510-214-6899
OLDER ADULT SERVICE TEAM – ALAMEDA COUNTY
Older Adult Service Team (OAST)
A specialized team in geriatric mental health providing services countywide. Includes comprehensive clinical case management and psychiatric services for older adults with mental health concerns and substance abuse, helping them maintain independence and dignity while aging in place. Extensive work with community partners in developing effective resources and support.
Services in the community and in the clinic at 1005 Atlantic Avenue, Alameda, CA 94501.
60 years and older.
Program Director: Jessica Osmond, LCSW, 510-844-8244, ext. 6359
ALAMEDA COUNTY AGING SERVICES
Case Management for Alameda County (Funded by APS)
Case management, under contract with Alameda County Adult Protective Services (APS), to help older adults and adults with disabilities with time-limited care management services.
Office Location: 1005 Atlantic Ave, Alameda, CA 94501
Program Director: Eleanor Lee, 510-844-8244, ext. 2942
SAN FRANCISCO AGING SERVICES
BeneFITS 2 Work (BFITS)
Employment and government benefits counseling and workshops for seniors and adults with disabilities. The program is open to retired individuals and those looking for part-time or full-time work.
Office Location: 1170 Market Street, 1st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
No fees are charged to participants,18 and older.
Office Phone: (415) 572-0811, Program Email: benefits@felton.org
San Francisco Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCO)
Mandated by federal and state law, professional staff and outreach volunteers investigate complaints and resolve issues affecting elderly and dependent adults in long-term care facilities. The program receives mandated reports of alleged abuse of elderly and dependent adults within facilities and provides visits and advocacy.
Office Location: 6221 Geary Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94121
No fees are charged to participants,18 and older.
Office Phone: (415) 751-9788, Program Email: ombudsman@felton.org
AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent Program (FGP)
The AmeriCorps Seniors Foster Grandparent program operated by Felton Institute is child-centric and provides an opportunity for children to connect with older adults on a daily basis. AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers use their life experiences to help the children learn new skills and gain the confidence needed to succeed.
Office Location: 1170 Market Street, 1st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
No fees are charged to participants or volunteers. 55 years and older.
- Office Phone: (415) 751-9786, Program Email: volunteers@felton.org
AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion Program (SCP)
The AmeriCorps Seniors Senior Companion program operated by Felton Institute, assists and encourages older adults to engage in personal and community activities, cultivating friendships that can last a lifetime.
Office Location: 1170 Market Street, 1st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
No fees are charged to participants or volunteers. 55 years and older.
- Office Phone: (415) 751-9786, Program Email: volunteers@felton.org
Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
Workforce training for older adults in community service organizations and government departments, leading to permanent job placements, including the private sector. Felton Institute operates SCSEP in the City and County of San Francisco, as well as Marin, San Benito, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz County.
Office Location: 1170 Market Street, 1st Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102
No fees are charged to participants or volunteers. 55 years and older.
- Office Phone: (415) 982-7007 ext. 334, Program Email: scsep@felton.org
Tech Squad
Funded by the California Public Utilities Commission, Tech Squad works to bridge the digital divide by providing “whatever it takes” to connect older adults to the internet and provide essential training, even during a pandemic. The team of staff and community volunteers provide one-on-one services so that older adults and people with disabilities can access the internet for telehealth and other services, as well as reduce social isolation.
Office Location: 1099 Sunnydale Ave, 3rd Floor, Visitacion Valley, San Francisco, CA 94134
No fees are charged to participants.
- Office Phone: (415) 474-1558, Program Email: techsquad@felton.org
- Program Director: Edith Yamanoha, (415) 982-7007, ext. 631
Information, Referral, and Assistance program (IR&A)
Clients who need additional follow-up after calling about county benefits are referred by the San Francisco Human Services Agency (SF HSA) to Felton’s IR&A program. Our team reaches out to the client within one business day. We provide continuous follow-ups for an average of one month to ensure clients have effectively connected with community resources.
Office Location: San Francisco, California.
All referrals come from SF HSA. IR&A operates with outbound calls only. To be referred, please contact SF HSA directly; referral would be at the discretion of their staff.
No fees are charged to participants, 18 and older.
- Program Director: Emily Zubritsky, 415-474-7310, ext. 4495,
Email: ezubritsky@felton.org
Visitacion Valley Senior Health & Wellness
Outreach and wellness programming for isolated older adults in Visitacion Valley. Projects include Chinese dancing, ESL classes, psycho-education, discussion groups around trauma, a community leadership group, and other community connections and neighborhood collaborations among the diverse groups of older adults in the southeast sector of San Francisco.
Location: 1099 Sunnydale Avenue, 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA, 94134.
No fees are charged to participants.
- Program Director: Edith Yamanoha, (415) 982-7007, ext. 631
66 Raymond Community Services
Activities and service connection to meet the needs of the diverse neighborhood residents of older adults and adults with disabilities, including opportunities for social, wellness, educational, and intergenerational activities, in collaboration with multiple community partners.
Locations: 66 Raymond Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94134; and 1099 Sunnydale Avenue, 3rd floor, San Francisco, CA 94134.
No fees are charged to participants.
- Program Director: Edith Yamanoha, (415) 982-7007, ext. 631
These programs serving the community are funded by the City of San Francisco’s Department of Disability and Aging Services.
DAS Funding Statement Translations
Chinese (Traditional): 这些社區服務計劃是由三藩市殘疾人與老齡化服務部資助的。
Russian: Эти общественные программы финансируется Департаментом по делам людей с инвалидностью и пожилого населения в Сан-Франциско.
Spanish:Estos programas que brindan servicio a la comunidad están financiados por el Departamento de Servicios para Discapacidad y Personas de la Tercera Edad de la ciudad de San Francisco.
Tagalog: Ang mga programang ito na nagseserbisyo sa komunidad ay pinopondohan ng Departamento ng Mga Serbisyo sa Kapansanan at Pagtanda ng Lungsod ng San Francisco.
Vietnamese: Các chương trình phục vụ cộng đồng này được Sở Dịch Vụ cho Người Khuyết Tật và Người Cao Niên Thành Phố San Francisco tài trợ.