What Caminar does

Caminar is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral health organization founded in 1964 in San Mateo, California, originally as El Camino House providing transitional supported housing for individuals returning to the community after psychiatric hospitalization. Today it operates across six Northern California counties — San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, Butte, Contra Costa, and San Francisco — delivering mental health counseling, psychiatry and medication management, outpatient and intensive outpatient substance use treatment, sober living and recovery residences, supported housing, vocational rehabilitation (Jobs Plus), supported education, school-based counseling, intimate partner violence services, and case management. The organization employs 251-500 staff and reported serving more than 31,000 individuals in 2025, with measurable outcomes of 2,193 in mental health treatment, 1,712 in substance use recovery, 12,721 in LGBTQIA+ services, and 23,096 receiving housing outreach and support.

The core technology layer is a community-based service delivery platform supplemented by the Caminar Client Portal, a secure web and mobile application (iOS and Android) that supports appointment scheduling, telehealth video visits, and electronic form completion and signing. Service delivery is organized around five core categories (Mental Health, Substance Use Treatment, Education and Prevention, Wrap-Around Services, Case Management) and is delivered through sub-brands including LGBTQ Youth Space (ages 13-25, Santa Clara County), LGBTQ Wellness (adults 18+, founded 2015), the Olivos private-pay program, and the Teen and Family Wellness Center in Palo Alto, opened March 3, 2026. Specialized infrastructure includes the 16-bed Willow Mental Health Rehabilitation Center, two licensed Transitional Residential Program homes in San Mateo County, and two Social Enterprises (Sensible Cyclery and Pro-Touch) in Chico and Oroville providing vocational training.

The business model is primarily grant- and contract-driven. The majority of revenue comes from federal, state, and county sources — Medi-Cal, county behavioral health departments (Santa Clara, San Mateo, Butte, Contra Costa, Solano, San Francisco), and public health contracts — supplemented by donations from individuals, businesses, and charitable foundations plus monthly sustaining donor and legacy giving programs. Private-pay revenue is limited but strategically important: the Teen and Family Wellness Center charges $200 per hour (versus $300-800 regional market rates) and Olivos offers fee-for-service in-home mental health care. Distribution occurs through county behavioral health referrals, healthcare provider referrals, school and community partnerships, the digital client portal, and direct self-referral for private-pay services.

Name

Caminar

Legal name

Caminar

Website

https://caminar.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1964

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Caminar is a 501(c)(3) behavioral health nonprofit founded in 1964 that delivers mental health, substance use treatment, supported housing, vocational rehabilitation, and education services across six Northern California counties, serving over 31,000 individuals annually through government contracts, philanthropy, and a digital client portal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Behavioral Health Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Vocational Rehabilitation Services (62431), Other Residential Care Facilities (6239)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050)

akta.pro primary industry

Peer Support, Recovery Coaching & Sober Living Services (HLAFACAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Disability Employment & Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Programs (EDAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Behavioral health services
• Mental health treatment
• Substance use recovery
• Supportive housing services
• Community mental health

Headquarters

HQ city

San Mateo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Government Contracts and Grants: Caminar relies on government funding from federal, state, and county sources including Medi-Cal, county behavioral health departments, and public health contracts to fund the majority of services provided.
2. Donations and Philanthropy: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, businesses, and charitable foundations support operations and program expansion. The organization runs monthly sustaining donor programs and legacy giving initiatives.
3. Private Pay Services: The Teen and Family Wellness Center offers private-pay mental health services at $200 per hour, significantly below market rates, providing accessible care while generating revenue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Caminar is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit behavioral health organization that delivers mental health treatment, substance use recovery, and wraparound supportive services to individuals and families across six Northern California counties. Its services include outpatient and intensive outpatient therapy, psychiatry and medication management, sober living and recovery residences, supported housing, vocational rehabilitation, school-based counseling, and specialty programs for LGBTQIA+ youth, Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing individuals, and justice-involved populations.

Product overview

Caminar is a Bay Area behavioral health organization with over 60 years of service, operating as a community-based mental health, substance use, and supportive services provider across six Northern California counties. The organization delivers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services organized around five core service categories: Mental Health Services (counseling, psychiatry, medication clinic, case management), Substance Use Treatment (outpatient, intensive outpatient, recovery residences, sober living homes), Education and Prevention (school-based programs, LGBTQ programs), Wrap-Around Services (supported housing, vocational rehabilitation Jobs Plus, supported education), and Youth & Family Programs (Teen and Family Wellness Center - Palo Alto, HARTT program). Key sub-brands include LGBTQ Youth Space, LGBTQ Wellness, LGBTQ Speakers Bureau, LGBTQ Substance Use Prevention Program, and Olivos Private Pay Mental Health Services. The organization also provides specialized residential programs (Willow MHRC, Transitional Residential Program) and a Client Portal for telehealth and appointment management. Caminar's service delivery is supported by a mobile app available on iOS and Android platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• LGBTQ Youth Space: A program of Caminar that centers LGBTQIA+ and ally youth and young adults ages 13-25 in Santa Clara County through culturally responsive, youth-driven counseling and support services.
• LGBTQ Wellness
• Teen and Family Wellness Center - Palo Alto
• Olivos

Products and services

• Teen and Family Wellness Center - Palo Alto Private-pay mental health and wellness center providing evidence-based mental health services for adolescents ages 12-17 and their families at competitive rates, addressing the growing need for accessible youth mental health care in the Palo Alto region.
• Mental Health Services Comprehensive mental health services including counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatry, medication management, and culturally competent care for individuals and families with complex behavioral health needs.
• Psychiatry Psychiatric services supporting clients receiving behavioral health services, providing evidence-based treatments, medication management, treatment planning with cross-disciplinary care teams, and ongoing medication support.
• Medication Clinic Clinic where psychiatrists and nurses provide information, education, and assistance to existing clients regarding medication choices, with on-site medication dispensing and medication management support.
• Substance Use Treatment Services Outpatient substance use treatment services and sober living environments for individuals and families addressing substance use disorders and supporting recovery.
• Outpatient Substance Use Services Individualized outpatient treatment supporting individuals in recovery through groups connecting clients with peer support and expert counselors, using evidence-based strategies addressing addiction biochemistry, family dynamics, and the recovery process.
• Intensive Outpatient Substance Use Services Comprehensive evidence-based day treatment for adults requiring more support than traditional outpatient programs, integrating individual and group therapy with skills development, relapse prevention, life skills training, and family involvement.
• Recovery Residences for Men Safe, healthy, drug-free living environments for men enrolled in substance use treatment programs, with support provided by staff with lived experience of their own recovery.
• Sober Living Homes for Men Therapeutic/sober living housing for men who have recently completed substance use treatment; residents must attend AA/NA meetings and maintain outside daytime activities while abstaining from substances.
• Supported Housing Combines affordable housing (scattered, shared, or single occupancy) with intensive coordinated services to help people with severe mental health conditions, available for Medi-Cal eligible residents of San Mateo and Solano Counties.
• Supported Education Collaboration between Caminar, San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College; educates and empowers clients, offers peer counseling classes, wellness and activity groups, and community collaboration.
• Vocational Rehabilitation: Jobs Plus Over 30 years of job services and vocational rehabilitation for individuals with disabilities seeking employment in the competitive labor market, providing job coaches, ongoing support, and employer satisfaction services. CARF accredited.
• Social Enterprises Two social enterprises (Sensible Cyclery and Pro-Touch) in Chico and Oroville, CA offering vocational training to adults receiving Butte County Department of Behavioral Health services.
• Transitional Residential Program Two licensed social rehabilitation homes in San Mateo County providing transitional residential services for adults returning to the community after long-term sub-acute psychiatric settings, offering 24-hour support and life skills training.
• Willow Mental Health Rehabilitation Center (MHRC) 16-bed locked setting offering therapeutic and rehabilitation services in a structured program for clients experiencing significant mental health challenges, providing individualized rehabilitation based on psychiatric assessment, psychopharmacology, and psychosocial rehabilitation.
• LGBTQ Youth Space Drop-in center and counseling program serving LGBTQIA+ and ally youth and young adults ages 13-25 in Santa Clara County, offering culturally responsive, youth-driven counseling, support services, community outreach, education, and safe drop-in services.
• LGBTQ Wellness

Quantifiable outcome

• Served over 31,000 individuals last year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Citizens Business BankminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 May 2026Sponsor of the Caminar Speakers Series event on AI and Mental Health, held May 13, 2026. Part of a group of sponsors and media partners supporting Caminar's thought leadership events.
• NewfrontminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 May 2026Sponsor of the Caminar Speakers Series event on AI and Mental Health, held May 13, 2026.
• San Francisco Business TimesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 May 2026Media partner for the Caminar Speakers Series event on AI and Mental Health.
• Silicon Valley Business JournalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 13 May 2026Media partner for the Caminar Speakers Series event on AI and Mental Health.
• College of San MateocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the Supported Education program, working with Caminar and San Mateo County Behavioral Health to provide educational support and opportunities for clients.
• Skyline CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration partner in the Supported Education program, providing college access and support services for clients with behavioral health needs.
• San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounty government partner collaborating on the Supported Education program and various mental health services.
• Families and Schools Together, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensor of the evidence-based FAST Program model, which Caminar implements in partnership with schools to serve high-risk, high-need students and families.
• County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary funder of the LGBTQ Wellness program and supporter of LGBTQ Youth Space, providing government funding for mental health services.
• Butte County Department of Behavioral Health (BCDBH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner providing funding and referrals for Social Enterprises vocational training programs and supported housing services in Butte County.
• Far Northern Regional Center (FNRC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional center partner for Friendship Circle program serving adults with developmental disabilities in Butte and Shasta counties.
• Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and Coordinated Entry SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSystem managed by Butte County Department of Behavioral Health, used for referring tenants to Caminar's supported housing programs.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/caminar-inc
• Xx.com/CaminarCal
• Facebookfacebook.com/caminarformentalhealth

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Caminar