The Puente Clinic offers mental health services for developmentally disabled clients by bridging resources from San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS), Golden Gate Regional Center (GGRC) and Health Plan of San Mateo (HPSM). 

Phone number: 650-573-3571 

Referral Criteria

To be eligible for a referral to Puente Clinic, clients must: 

1. Be connected to GGRC San Mateo. 
2. Have a co-occurring mental health diagnoses (e.g., bipolar disorder, intermittent explosive disorder). 
3. Have San Mateo Medi-Cal (not Medicare) as their primary insurance. Note: If the client has Kaiser as their Medi-Cal provider, they should be referred to Kaiser. 
4. Must be non-speaking and unable to convey information in any form. Clients who can answer yes / no questions in any form (e.g., in writing or nodding head) are considered to be able to participate in evaluations and are not eligible for Puente Clinic.
   • Clients who are verbal should be referred to the Access Call Center 800-686-0101 for referrals to the appropriate clinic. 

Referral Process

GGRC Case Managers should complete and submit a Puente Referral form. Submissions by fax or encrypted email. All GGRC referrals will need a signed release. 

BHRS clinicians currently treating non-verbal clients may submit a transfer request in Avatar (electronic medical records system) and email the BHRS Deputy Medical Director (currently Peter Dell, MD). 

Services Available

One-time Consultation

One time appointment with a Puente Social Worker and/or Psychiatrist for consultation. 

Continuing Care

Comprehensive mental health treatment including medication management. For continuing care, clients need to meet priority criteria. Priorities criteria are: 

• Recently returned to the community from Developmental Center  
• Recently returned to the community from locked or delayed egress facility 
• At-risk for admission to higher level of care 
• Requires in-home services as clinically determined 
• Psychiatric Emergency Services contact 
• Complex diagnostic issues or polypharmacy 

Resources for BHRS/GGRC Clients not with Puente

For clients currently seen in BHRS clinics and GGRC, the following are available: 

• Invitation to monthly GGRC / BHRS meeting. Puente clinic staff meets monthly with GGRC leadership and case managers to discuss complex cases. Please email the Deputy Medical Director (currently Peter Dell, MD) for an invitation to discuss a case. 
• Complex Case Conferences are available by request for current BHRS clinicians to meet with Puente staff to discuss treatment options. Contact the Deputy Medical Director to schedule. 

The Puente Team 

650-573-3571 

Marcia Ewing, LCSW, Social Worker 

Dori Bailey, MD, Psychiatrist 

Janet Baek, MD, Psychiatrist 

Linda Klieman, NP, Mental Health Nurse Practitioner 

Peter Dell, MD, Supervisor 

Learn more about Puente Clinic – Brochure
Refer a client: Referral Form