In 2007, the Mental Health Services Act provided funding to continue and support staff efforts to address racial, ethnic, and cultural disparities within Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. These Initiatives were created to focus on health disparities in access and quality of care for underserved, unserved and inappropriately served cultural and ethnic communities and identify the workforce development needs of staff of these communities.
Each Initiative plans and implements activities in collaboration with other county staff, community partners, consumers/clients/family members and community stakeholders. Activities include educational resources (translated in different languages); facilitated trainings on culturally-responsive practices, workshops and support groups; and community outreach.
All who are passionate about embracing diversity and advancing equity are welcome to participate.
Internship Program
Health Equity Initiatives Internship Program The internship program is designed to provide work opportunities and practical learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students.
Past Interns:
Mariam Kandil (2008)
Mariam graduated from MIT with a degree in Cognitive Sciences and is currently attending Santa Clara University as a graduate student in Counseling Psychology. While an intern, she helped to co-facilitate a family focus group with the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs, and helped develop the Cultural Competency Self-Assessment Checklist.
Rosette K. Diaz (2009)
Rosette graduated from UC Berkeley. While an intern, she was involved with the PRIDE Initiative and played an active role in planning and organizing the November 2009 Cultural Competence Mental Health Summit XVI. Rosette was also an intern with Health Policy and Planning.
Tori Nelson (2010)
Tori graduated from UC Davis with a degree in Sociology and Psychology. As an intern, she continued development on the Office of Diversity and Equity website. Tori also worked closely with the Health Equity Initiatives, and researched cultural competence outcomes and measures.
Omar Aljundi (2012)
Mitchell Xiong (2012)
Cultural Competency Self-Assessment
Cultural Competency Self-Assessment Checklist)
