ORANGE, Calif. (August 13, 2025) — To serve members experiencing homelessness in Santa Ana, CalOptima Health’s Board of Directors has approved AltaMed Health Services as the provider for the newly expanded Street Medicine Program. Services are expected to begin in December. This builds on the successful programs currently operating in Garden Grove, Costa Mesa and Anaheim, which have now served more than 850 members combined.
Selected through a competitive process, AltaMed will receive a two-year, up to $4.3 million grant to implement CalOptima Health’s specific Street Medicine Program model. This model includes medical and social services via a mobile doctor’s office, peer support, care management, housing navigation and more. Another hallmark of the program is establishing a collaborative partnership between CalOptima Health, AltaMed Health Services and the City of Santa Ana.
“CalOptima Health’s Street Medicine Program is directly tied to our strategic priority of meeting members where they are in the community,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima Health. “Our unhoused members can now gain access to health care and social services on their terms, so they are more trusting and engaged in their own care. We look forward to AltaMed building the trust of Santa Ana’s unhoused population and helping many realize improved health on their journey to permanent housing.”
Known for serving communities across Southern California with comprehensive medical and dental programs, AltaMed has two existing health centers in Santa Ana that will assist in the coordination of care for members served by the Street Medicine Team.
“AltaMed is proud to expand our community outreach through this new program,” said Cástulo de la Rocha, AltaMed President and CEO. “We share CalOptima Health’s mission in providing access to care and treating all members with dignity and respect. AltaMed has been providing health services in Santa Ana for the past 17 years and is equipped to serve the most vulnerable residents in this community and ensure they can experience the benefits of this impactful program.”
CalOptima Health’s Street Medicine Program is part of a comprehensive strategy to address homelessness, recognizing that housing insecurity directly affects health. Other strategies include awarding grants for housing development, increasing housing services provider capacity and creating a Street Medicine Support Center, a 48-room facility in Garden Grove that will open in 2026.