Breaking Ground on a First-of-its-Kind Crisis Residential Program for Youth with Autism

Fred Finch Youth & Family Services recently broke ground on a new Crisis Residential Treatment Program in Oakland designed to serve youth impacted by autism and complex behavioral health challenges.

Developed in partnership with Kaiser Permanente Northern California, the program provides short-term, therapeutic crisis stabilization in a residential setting — offering families an alternative to emergency departments and long-term inpatient hospitalization during moments of acute need.

Across California and the nation, youth behavioral health crises are rising. Families often face limited, fragmented options. This new facility is designed to help close that gap, combining evidence-based clinical care with trauma-informed, relationship-centered support tailored specifically for neurodivergent youth.

President & CEO Tom Alexander reflected on the significance of the program:

“We break ground with urgency because families need us now. We break ground with gratitude because partnership made this possible. And we break ground with hope because every young person deserves the chance to stabilize, heal, and thrive.”

Dr. Kavitha Rao of Kaiser Permanente emphasized the broader promise of the partnership:

“This is more than just a building — it’s a promise to families that they deserve care that truly understands them.”

Located on Fred Finch’s historic seven-acre Oakland campus — serving children and families since 1891 — the new program strengthens the continuum of care and reinforces the campus as a hub of healing for the next generation.

🎥 Watch highlights from the groundbreaking ceremony featuring:

• Lacy Vong, Board Chair, Fred Finch Youth & Family Services

• Tom Alexander, President & CEO, Fred Finch Youth & Family Services

• Dr. Kavitha Rao, Medical Director, Pediatric Developmental Care Coordination Program (PDCP), Kaiser Permanente