Located in San Diego, Del Sur Crisis Center provides a voluntary, home-like alternative to psychiatric hospitalization through its Short-Term Acute Residential Treatment (START) program. Serving adults 18 and older experiencing severe psychiatric crises, the center creates a supportive environment for those with primary mental health conditions and can accommodate co-occurring substance use disorders when they aren't the main concern. Clients typically stay for about nine days and must have medically stable conditions that can be managed on an outpatient basis. The center offers comprehensive care including psychiatric evaluations, medication management, individual and group counseling, life skills education, integrated substance use treatment, recreational activities, and thorough discharge planning. As part of the Community Research Foundation, Del Sur Crisis Center accepts Medi-Cal beneficiaries and uninsured individuals, ensuring no one is turned away due to inability to pay. To enhance accessibility, services are provided in both English and Spanish. This carefully structured program successfully bridges the gap between hospitalization and outpatient care, providing personalized support during critical periods of mental health crisis.