MCOD Tour and Meet + Greets 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) – brings in a new Program Coordinator for continued support of BHRS’ Multi-Cultural Organizational Development (MCOD) action plan and framework. Kai Thornton (He/She/They) was brought in to support MCOD’s continued growth and the organizational shifts it brings. They bring with them 6+ years of experience in intensive case management and supervision within the San Mateo County. With the support of Frances Lobos (She/Her/Ella) the MCOD Tour 2023 was born, which included in person and virtual presentations provided to BHRS 40+ teams. These presentations were designed to inform the BHRS workforce of upcoming changes to the MCOD action plan as well as gauging where we are as an organization in regard to equity-based barriers and now trauma informed practices. Over the year 2023, Kai and Frances have been able to meet with many amazing staff members and have open and honest discussions on topics like: power in the workplace, authentic communication, what gets in the way of our work, and much more! Throughout 2023 we at ODE noticed that the Office of Diversity and Equity’s work was not always communicated throughout the divisions and there were pockets where staff members did not know anything about our office! We couldn’t have that go on for long, so we strategized and created a space for staff to come and learn, not only about our team and programs, but any equity work being done within the county. This space became known as the “Meet + Greets” and has hosted various different information sessions on work being done within ODE (i.e. Parent Project, Language Services, MCOD) and county wide (i.e. Policy A-44 implementation & feedback) to make sure that we are engaging AND updating our workforce on changes and exciting new things coming through the pipeline. 

Parent Project resumes in-person classes 

 

The Parent Project in-person classes have returned! As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Parent Project classes have been strictly virtual for the past three years. For this reason, we are excited to be transitioning back into in-person classes. Our transition back to in-person classes began with our first in-person class is facilitated by Pacific Conflict Resolution Center’s (PCRC), Evelia Chairez, alongside the Community Alliance to Revitalize Our Neighborhoods’ (CARON), Jose Luis Aguirre. Our first class was quite the success as we had numerous parents and caregivers join us at the Redwood City Library for our first in-person Spanish class since the Spring of 2020. Our second in-person class was hosted by StarVista’s, Eddy Caldera and Mario Vargas, who are hosted another in-person Spanish class at Fiesta Gardens International school. As for our virtual classes, 2023 consisted of one virtual Spanish class being hosted by StarVista’s Lilia Quezada, alongside Ara Vazquez and Gaby Berber. Our virtual English class was hosted by Peninsula Conflict Resolution’s Center and the Pacific Islander Initiative’s co-chair, Brittany Tonga. Finally, in the Fall of 2023, Eddy Caldera hosted another virtual Spanish class.  

“I am very happy to have the Parent Project classes in person again. It is very motivating for me to see that parents want to learn more tools to educate their children. Each week they return with new experiences and feedback on how they are applying what they learn in the classroom at home. I have always said that today’s parents have a harder job to do, since they were educated in an analog world and now they have to educate in a digital era, often unknown to them. The fact that they attend the classes every week speaks volumes about their role as parents who always want to be better for their kids.” – Jose Luis Aguirre, Parent Project facilitator

“Estoy muy feliz de tener nuevamente las clases del Proyecto de Padres en persona. Es muy motivador para mi ver que los padres quieren aprender más herramientas para educar a sus hijos. Cada semana regresan con nuevas experiencias y comentarios de cómo están aplicando en casa lo que aprenden en el salón de clase. Siempre he dicho que a los padres de hoy en día les toca una labor más fuerte, pues ellos fueron educados en un mundo análogo y ahora tienen que educar en un mundo digital, en muchas ocasiones desconocido para ellos. El hecho de que asistan cada semana a su clase habla muy bien de su papel como padres que siempre quieren lo mejor para sus hijos. – José Luis Aguirre, Facilitador del Proyecto de Padres

Thus far, in-person classes have allowed us to rebuild connections with our community members. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, we are aware that there are added obstacles associated with rebuilding familial relationships. For this reason, we are implementing practices to better assist parents in an era that has been more anxiety inducing for both parents and children. ODE’s Community Program Specialist, Charo Martinez, has been working in collaboration with her fellow Health Ambassadors to educate parents and caregivers on the Health Ambassador Program. We are beyond thankful for the outstanding contributions of our partners Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center and StarVista. We are looking forward to what the future of the Parent Project has in store! 

ODE gets 5 permanent positions 

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity & Equity (ODE) Health Ambassador Program (HAP) was recognized as a Tony Hoffman Award recipient for having made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with mental illness. During the pandemic, Health Ambassadors were instrumental in providing support and outreach to communities. These efforts were led by Charo Martinez, the program’s coordinator, who oversaw the creation of an array of communication campaigns, such as Public Service Announcements to promote vaccinations in Spanish, Tagalog, Tongan, and the indigenous language Zapotec; distribution of mental health support materials; hosting community virtual events (held in Spanish with English), including “La Vacuna, Mi bienestar, Mi Comunidad,” and “Families with OMICRON. Stories and Resources” viewed by thousands of people around San Mateo County and other Bay Area Counties, as well as people connecting from Mexico and El Salvador. Health Ambassadors also  went door-to-door in San Mateo, East Palo Alto, Redwood City, and Half Moon Bay, having one-on-one conversations and distributing masks and information on critical resources for our communities in most need. These efforts continued in Spanish at laundromats, grocery stores, and food distribution centers. Health Ambassadors are passionate and unique clients, family members, and community members committed to elevating and supporting behavioral health resources, goals, and support. Ambassador Catalina, who also receives BHRS services, shared, “Today, I am proud of my accomplishments, including helping my community in Half Moon Bay. During the pandemic, I supported the community by elevating their needs and concerns and motivated people to get informed about the vaccine’s benefits through my livestream testimony. My work has been trilingual: in Spanish, a little English, and Zapotec, my native indigenous language. I feel blessed to be part of the Health Ambassador Program and thankful for the benefits my children and I have received from BHRS. 

Community Response Efforts 

On Monday, January 23rd, 2023, in Half Moon Bay, a mass shooting occurred, killing seven and injuring one. According to San Mateo County Sheriff, Christina Corpus,  the evidence pointed to the attack to being an instance of workplace violence (Nouran Salaheih & Taylor Romine, CNN). This tragedy heavily impacted the wellbeing of the Half Moon Bay Community, as well as the rest of San Mateo County. This instance created an urgent need for community response, including mental health resources and supports. 

Following the incident, on Saturday, February 18th, San Mateo County Supervisor, David Canepa, hosted a “Caffeinate and Conversate with Canepa” event in Daly City, creating a space for a community conversation on mental health. This event provided the community with the opportunity to learn from fellow mental health providers and advocates on accessing and improving mental health resources within San Mateo County. San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) Director, Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti and Nicoletta Kelleher (ODE Program Coordinator) had the honor of presenting about BHRS services and resources. The presentation focused on Prevention and Early Intervention programs (PEI), Youth and Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), Workforce, Education, and Training (WET), Health Equity Initiatives (HEI), and much more. Throughout the presentation, attendees were provided with resource materials in order to ensure community members could easily access behavioral health and recovery services. The event also included key contributions from valuable partners such as Christi Morales-Kumasawa and Stephanie Garma Balon from the KAPWA Kultural Center and Café, Virgina Chang Kiraly from National Alliance and Mental Illness’ (NAMI), and Fan Li from North East Medical Services (NEMS).  

In addition to the Caffeinate and Conversate event focused on mental health, the greater San Mateo community (city, county, and other community-based organizations) came together to organize and host remembrance events and provide critical resources to support and aid victims, their families, and the entire Half Moon Bay (HMB) community. The Crisis Response Team (CRT) from Behavioral Health & Recovery Services met with families to provide psychological first aid, grief support counseling, and connection to needed ongoing services and crisis intervention counseling. County, city, and local agencies also partnered to provide temporary housing, meals, and other services to those directly impacted by the shootings. Remembrance events included a Community Candlelight Vigil; an Interfaith Memorial Service; a Candlelight Processional Walk; a Community Gathering Dinner; and a Site Blessing Ceremony. These multilingual and inter-faith events honored, remembered, and paid tribute to the victims of the mass shooting incident and included fellowship, song, prayers, and nurturing words to offer comfort, healing, and hope for the future to all community members impacted by this tragic event. 

Other key events in 2023

Jackie Speier organized Dialogue with Latinx Mothers with HAP and PP, ODE and HAP provides onsite support to Argon High School after loss of youth to suicide, Certified welcoming, Translations to BSBB, Cultural adaptations to curriculum, Latino/a/x changed their name from Latino Collaborative