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DSH-Atascadero Family and Friend Resources

This page is designed to answer basic questions for families and friends to support and communicate with the patients housed in our facility. Family and friends are encouraged to participate in the wellness, recovery, and treatment planning process of the patients in our care.

Please select your preferred language to download or print a PDF containing this information and other resources for family and friends of patients. (English) or (Spanish)

Visiting a Patient

Please visit the hospital's visitor infomration page.

Depositing Funds for a Patient

DSH offers deposit services for family and friends of our patients to send funds to their accounts. Patients may use these funds for a wide range of purchases, including those at the facility’s commissary.

To deposit by mail:

Personal checks or money orders should be made payable to:

DSH-Atascadero for [patient name]

Example: DSH-Atascadero for John Doe

Please mail checks to:

Patients' Accounts
Department of State Hospitals - Atascadero
P.O. Box 7001
Atascadero, CA 93423-7001

Please note:

• The sender must include their name and address with all incoming funds.
• Cash or traveler's checks are not accepted and will be returned to the sender.

Other deposits:

g Select a language to learn more about how to deposit funds online, by mobile app, by phone, or at an on-site terminal.

Select Language English | Español (Spanish) | 한국인 (Korean) | Tagalog |
繁體中文 (Traditional Chinese) | Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)

The credit card deposit terminal is located in the main lobby.

Sending Mail and Packages to a Patient

We welcome family and friends to send mail and packages to patients. This section explains how to ensure your items reach a patient in a safe and timely manner.

All incoming mail and packages will be opened and searched for contraband by Hospital Police.

Please send mail and packages to:

[Patient's full name] (include Atascadero Tracking [AT] number and Unit number if known)
DSH - Atascadero
P.O. Box 7001
Atascadero, CA 93423-7001

Any items over one half inch thick or heavier than 16 ounces are defined as "packages."

Sending packages

DSH-Atascadero can only accept packages from approved vendors. You may request catalogs from the vendors and shop on their websites. Not all products advertised online or in the catalogs are allowed at DSH-Atascadero. Please view the Acceptable Incoming Items List and Approved Vendors list in english or spanish.

Patient packages received from private residences, or any vendor not included in the Acceptable Items List, will not be accepted.

All incoming packages must have the patient’s name, Atascadero Tracking (AT) number and unit number, if known, to ensure proper and timely delivery.

A package is defined as anything:

1. Greater than one half inch thick or heavier than 16 ounces
2. Identified by an electronic scanning device as containing anything other than correspondence
3. Containing bubble wrap or additional packing material

Packages shall neither exceed 30 pounds in weight nor exceed the size limitations of 24 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 12 inches tall. The hospital will not accept packages from the post office or shipping agent that exceed these weight or size limitations.

Please note

• All mail and packages must have a return address that includes first and last name of the sender and a physical street address.
• If funds are received in patient mail, staff will retrieve and forward them to the Trust Office for processing. See the “deposit by mail” section above for instructions.

Calling a patient

Family members and friends may set up a prepaid phone account for the patient. There is no limit to the number of phone numbers that may be attached to the account.

Create an account online or call +1 (866) 898-5880.

Hours of operation

6 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Pacific Time)

Cost

$25 card = 50 minutes of calling time
$50 card = 100 minutes of calling time (1 hour and 40 minutes)
$100 card = 200 minutes of calling time (3 hours and 33 minutes)

Please note: A $5.95 processing fee will also be applied.

Accepted Payment Methods

All major credit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, American Express & Discover

For an up-to-date directory of unit phone numbers, please view the downloadable PDF in your preferred language (english) or (spanish).

If you are unable to reach a patient by phone, contact Telecommunications at +1 (805) 468-2000. Ask the operator to connect you with the unit Social Worker.