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Article
A Year in Review
2017 Behavioral Health & Recovery Services Highlights
As in previous years, we have identified ten highlights for 2017. Narrowing the list is never easy, however this list provides a snapshot of some of the new and continuing developments for BHRS in the past year. We would like to recognize all of the people — clients, family members, staff, partners and community members — whose passion, commitment and hard work every day, transformed these ideas into action. The following highlights are listed in no specific order of priority.
Article David YoungDavid A. Young, PhD, MPH, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
From David’s Desk
The holiday season is a time for looking toward the future and appreciating the gifts the prior year has offered to us. This year has been a difficult one for many who lost their homes in the wildfires that devastated our state, or lost loved ones due to accidental injury, illness, substance abuse or mental health conditions. As we celebrate the New Year, I encourage you to remember those who will need additional support by offering a bit more patience, a kind gesture or a helping hand.
Article Lauren Mascarenhas, Communications Coordinator
Staff Turn out to Aid Counties Ravaged by North Bay Fires
50 volunteers, 22 deployed, 14 days
This past October multiple wildfires wreaked havoc through the North Bay, leaving many of our neighbors to the north displaced and in crisis. The San Francisco Chronicle reports the fires leveled more than 5,000 homes and killed 44 people. The aftermath of these fires left many struggling to cope with the loss of homes and loved ones.
Strained by the incredible need for all kinds of additional resources, including crisis counseling, Sonoma and Napa Counties sent out mutual aid requests for mental health counselors. San Mateo County answered the call and a heart-warming amount of BHRS staff stepped up to volunteer their time to the response effort.
Article Pernille Gutschick, Clinical Services Manager
Crisis Intervention Training Program
First Responders Trained to Support People in a Mental Health Crisis
Introduced in 2005, San Mateo County’s crisis intervention training (CIT) is part of a continuum of crisis services which aim to safely provide the best support possible to those in a behavioral health crisis.
Article Lauren Mascarenhas, Communications Coordinator
Roxanne Clarke Recognized For Going the Extra Mile
Women In County Government
Each year, San Mateo’s Women in County Government recognizes accomplished women working in the county who have demonstrated success through their commitment to the areas of community service, development and public service. This past October, one of BHRS’ very own, Roxanne Clarke, was presented with the Public Service: the Extra Mile award for going above and beyond the call of duty as a bilingual Psychiatric Social Worker at Canyon Oaks Youth Center.
Article
San Mateo County Health to Launch Health Information Exchange
SMC Connected Care
San Mateo County is gearing up to launch their new health information exchange, SMC Connected Care, used for the electronic sharing of health-related information for patients and clients receiving services from San Mateo County Health.
Article Doris Estremera, MHSA Manager
Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Update
Prop 63
Prevention and Early Intervention – Age 0-25 Task Force
A task force of providers, community based agencies, clients and community members convened over three 2-hour periods with the goal of developing recommendations for prevention and early intervention programming for children, youth, and transitional age youth.
Article Lucinda Dei-Rossi, Health Services Manager, Public Health Administration
Whole Person Care Update
The five-year Whole Person Care (WPC) initiative began its second year of implementation on January 1. The pilot is aimed at improving the access, quality of care and efficiency of services delivered to those individuals with the most complex and often co-occurring conditions.
Article
Cheers!
Canyon Oaks Youth Center Receives
Provisional STRP License
On December 1, Canyon Oaks Youth Center received a provisional Short Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) license that will become permanent upon accreditation by the Council on Accreditation (COA), which must be completed within a year.
“Attaining a STRTP license will ensure Canyon Oaks can continue operating at a level providing the highest quality of care and rigorous quality performance,” said David Young, BHRS Director.
Article
Steve Kaplan Closes a Compassionate Career
Former BHRS Director Steve Kaplan’s looks back his career in the behavioral health field in a recent article by the San Mateo Daily Journal. Read about his thoughts on medicated assistant treatment, the unaffordability of housing for those in recovery and Medi-Cal funding finally being authorized for substance use treatment programs in the full article.
Article
Events, Trainings, Announcements & More
Announcements
New Quality Assurance Manager, Ingall
Bull
After nearly a year of recruitment, Ingall Bull became the new
BHRS Quality Assurance Manager on December 18. Ingall brings to
the position extensive clinical experience and a rich
history with BHRS. He’s worked in various capacities with
the Geropsych Unit in Crystal Springs, as the supervisor of
the BHRS Therapeutic Day School program and
the electronic health record (AVATAR) implementation
team. Ingall is looking forward to moving BHRS to the next
chapter of service delivery in his position.