3/27 – Name Change to Farmworker Appreciation Day

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In solidarity with victims and survivors, ALAS and partners have updated this Friday’s event name to Farmworker’s Appreciation Day.

See more from Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga’s letter to the community.

Event details:
Date: Friday, March 27th, 2026
Time: 5:00PM-8:30PM
Location: Ted Adcock Community Center, Half Moon Bay

Event info:
We stand in solidarity with our local farmworkers – the backbone of our food system and our community. Join us for an evening of reflection, recognition, and collective commitment as we uplift Coastside campesinos and honor their lasting impact and continued role as agents of change.

Rsvp with Sandra@ALASDreams.com

Happy Trans* Week of Visibility! Free Community Programs Throughout the Week

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San Mateo County Pride Center is proud to be hosting their 3rd Annual Trans* Week of Visibility.  

Join us in celebrating the strength, beauty, and visibility of our Trans* , Non-Binary, and Gender Diverse community! While Trans Day of Visibility (TDOV) is on March 31st, we think one day is just not enough. That’s why we’re hosting a full week of events filled with community, joy, and resources to support you. What kind of programs? We’re hosting trainings, the return of our Name and Gender Marker Change workshop, a sunset community hike, a Drag 101 workshop for our youth community members, a mixer for parents and guardians of Trans* Youth and SO MUCH MORE!  We hope you can join us for an event or three!  

For each TWOV event you attend, you’ll get one (1) entry into our prize drawing to win 1 of 3 $75 gift cards available! The more you attend, the better your chances of winning!  

Register for any and all TWOV events here! https://tinyurl.com/SMCPCTWOV2026

Do you need financial assistance with transportation to attend any of these events? Pride Center can provide a limited number of transportation vouchers to those in need. Please let us know when you RSVP or email info@sanmateopride.org for support. 

Special note for our Glitter and Glam Intro to Drag workshop participants: If you would like Pride Center to provide makeup products and tools for you to use, please RSVP by Tuesday 3/24 to ensure we’ll have enough supplies for you. Otherwise, you are welcome to RSVP anytime before the event; and we encourage you to bring whatever makeup, clothes, accessories, and tools you feel most comfortable and fabulous in! 

Trans Week of Visibility programs and events – Monday, 3/23- Tuesday, 3/31 

A Mixer for Families of Trans Kids 

Monday, 3/23 from 6-7:30PM at Outlet (1779 Woodside Road #200, Redwood City) 

Come join us for an evening with community. Are you a parent or caregiver of a trans or gender-diverse child? Navigating the world as a family can be overwhelming and isolating, but you are not alone. Join us for a supportive evening of connection where you can: 

  • Learn about your child’s legal rights, resources, and advocacy options 
    • Hear from a panel of experienced parents and community members 
    • This is a family-friendly event with space for both caregivers and children. 

Legal Name & Gender Change Workshop

Wed. 3/25, 6-7:30pm- Online 

Your name and gender should reflect who you really are—but the paperwork can feel confusing. Let us help! In this workshop, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of updating your identity documents, assist you in filling out court paperwork, and answer all your questions. 
 

Becoming More Visibly You: Gender Affirmation Workshop

Thu. 3/26, 5-7pm – Allcove San Mateo (2600 S El Camino Real, Suite 300, San Mateo) 

Your gender expression should feel like YOU. Whether you’re exploring your identity, refining your style, or just looking for community, this workshop is here to help you affirm, express, and celebrate who you are. 
What to expect:  

  • Free gender-affirming supplies – binders, trans tape, packers, breast forms, and more  
  • Style & contouring tips – learn from experienced trans makeup artists  
  • Hair & grooming consultations – explore gender-affirming haircuts and styling options  
  • Vocal coaching tips – get insights on voice training techniques  
  • Gender-Affirming Closet – browse for free clothing, makeup, and accessories 

Whether you’re trans masc, femme, nonbinary, or somewhere in between, we’re here to support your journey toward feeling more visibly you. 

Belonging In Nature – Sunset Hike at Mori Point 

Friday 3/27 5:45-8:15pm – In Person at Mori Point (775 Bradford Way, Pacifica) 

 Enjoy a beautiful sunset with our partners at the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy. We can make the most of the vast variety of our county. 

Register at: https://www.parksconservancy.org/events/register?fid=99&eid=a0wUQ000007obtB 

Glitter and Glam: An Intro to Drag

Saturday 2/28 2:30-5:30 In Person at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center (800 Foster City Blvd, Foster City )

We can’t begin to celebrate our Trans* community without acknowledging the role that gender diverse drag queens, kings, and monarchs continually play in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights. In honor of all the icons that have come before and in celebration of drag as an art form, we invite you to join us on March 28th from 2:30 – 5:30 at the Peninsula Jewish Community Center for an afternoon of learning introductory drag makeup and putting on a show that eats the house down.

If you don’t have the supplies to make your drag debut, don’t worry! We will be providing makeup, shoes, and a limited amount of clothing, however we invite folks that have their own supplies to bring them. If you want to come but do not want to participate in the drag course you are more than welcome to come to the Glitter and Glam show and support all of our new drag icons. 

Pronouns 101 Workshop

Sunday 3/29, 10:30am-12:30pm: In Person at the Belmont Public Library (1110 Alameda de las Pulgas) and Online

What are pronouns and why do they matter? Have you ever asked yourself, “did I use the ‘correct’ pronoun for that person”? Our Pronouns 101 workshop will help you feel more confident in any situation! In this workshop, you’ll learn about the history of pronouns, the importance of using them correctly, how to safely and respectfully ask for pronouns, and have a comfortable space to ask your questions about pronouns. Through interactive videos, participant engagement, and pronoun use practice, we will help you become a pro at pronouns! 

Zoom link to be shared after registration 

Trans Day of Visibility Be-YOU-tiful Celebration

Tuesday, March 31st 5:30-7:30pm – Cultural Center at Cañada College

(4200 Farm Hill, Redwood City- Building 17, room 107)

This is your night to celebrate YOU. Show up as your authentic self—however that looks for you—and let’s celebrate together.  What’s in store:  

  • DJ & music  
  • Snacks & refreshments

The world tries to tell us we don’t belong. We say otherwise. Come celebrate the joy, resilience, and beauty of our trans and gender-diverse community.  

To register for all events, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/SMCPCTWOV2026 

Questions? Please contact info@sanmateopride.org or 650-591-0133

Tony Hoffman Award Now Accepting Nominations – Deadline 4/17

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The 2026 Tony Hoffman Award is now accepting nominations!

Awards will be held at the May Behavioral Health Commission meeting on May 6th, 2026. Deadline for nomination is April 17, 2026. 

Application can be found at https://www.smchealth.org/general-information/bhc-awards

About the award: 

The Tony Hoffman Community Mental Health Services Award recognizes individuals, professionals, businesses, and the media who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with mental illness and the communities in which they live. Recognition is given for public education or advocacy to promote mental health awareness and needs or to address stigma; public education and services to provide housing and employment for persons with mental illness; creation of new and innovative programs or community support activities; recognition of fundraising for mental health activities or long-term financial support to mental health programs; or working for new mental health legislation. We also honor mental health consumers who, in their journey of recovery, are able to give back to their peers or the community. Awards are presented each May during Mental Health Month. 

Looking for Volunteers for the 2026 SMC Pride Celebration!

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As the months get warmer, we get closer to San Mateo County’s annual PRIDE celebration! This year’s theme is Unite, Empower, Resist, PRIDE 2026, and the celebration will be held on Saturday, June 13th from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at San Mateo Central Park.

San Mateo County provides this family-friendly event to uplift our goal of unity and inclusion and show the resilience of the queer community. If you would like to share your time please consider volunteering to support the event. 

Any questions can be directed to Kai Thornton at Kthornton1@smcgov.org.

Chinese Health Initiative Rings In the Year of the Horse!

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The Chinese Health Initiative (CHI) hosted its annual Chinese New Year celebratory in-person meeting on Friday, February 13, 2026 honoring the Year of the Horse. Community members, CHI participants, and partners came together to celebrate the holiday in a space that uplifted culture, community connection, and shared learning. Participants were invited to share their lived experiences and family traditions for observing Chinese New Year, creating opportunities for storytelling, reflection, and cultural exchange. The event also introduced CHI members to Stephanie Chen, a professional Chinese movement dancer, who performed traditional dances and shared insights into the cultural significance of the art form, and facilitated a group activity inviting participants to learn and practice simple movements together.

The celebration provided space for community members to connect, learn from one another, and honor cultural traditions. Events like this help foster belonging, strengthen community partnerships, and support culturally responsive engagement.

Written by Tia Bell, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity, Health Equity Initiative Coordinator

Pacific Islander Initiative Hosts Free Teen Mental Health First Aid

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The Pacific Islander Initiative of San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, in partnership with community collaborators, recently hosted a three-day Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) Certification Training for youth ages 14–18, creating a space that felt not only educational but deeply meaningful, culturally grounded, and connected. This free, three-part certification series held between February 25th and February 27th equips teens with the knowledge and skills to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their peers. The energy in the room was inspiring, full of curiosity, courage, and a strong commitment to caring for one another. One moment captured the heart of the evening when a youth participant shared that he attended because his senior passion project focuses on youth mental health, and he was excited to see how the certification would shape both his project and his future goals. Moments like this remind us that when young people are given tools, language, and support, they step into leadership with purpose.

This work is especially important within Pacific Islander communities, where behavioral health disparities, including stigma, underutilization of services, cultural barriers, and delayed access to care, continue to impact families. By increasing mental health literacy and building peer-to-peer support networks, Teen Mental Health First Aid helps ensure youth can recognize concerns early and connect to trusted adults and culturally responsive services, getting care when it is needed, not only when a crisis occurs. More than certification, this training strengthens prevention, reduces stigma, promotes healing, and fosters wellness rooted in community care. It is an investment in a generation that leads with empathy, cultural pride, and the confidence to seek and support mental health care, helping our youth and families live longer, healthier, and more connected lives.

Written by Tia Bell, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

BHRS Director’s Newsletter – March 2026

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Please see the latest issue of the Director’s Newsletter from BHRS Director, Dr. Jei Africa! 

Topics include:  

  • Substance Use Treatment Services at the Navigation Center
  • BHRS Reaches a Milestone in Cultural Humility Training
  • San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission Prepares for 2026 Transitions
  • Building Community Behavioral Health Foundation for Medi-Cal Billing
  • Upcoming Events, Announcements and News

Find past issues here. Visit the BHRS website. 

Spanish Parent Project Class Starting 2/10

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We are happy to announce that on Tuesday, February 10th we will be launching our in-person Spanish class taking place in Redwood City. To register, you can contact CARON’s, Jose Aguirre at jaguirre@smcgov.org & (650) 802-5044. For more details, please see the flyer below. Please note, this class is only in Spanish.  

PP CARON Spring 26 Spanish class 2.10.26 UPDATED (1)Download

BHRS Reaches a Milestone in Cultural Humility Training

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In February 2026, San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) will celebrate a major milestone by holding its 100th Cultural Humility 101 training, reflecting years of sustained commitment to building a workforce grounded in reflection, respect, and culturally responsive care. Cultural Humility is one of BHRS’ mandated and foundational trainings, supporting staff in lifelong learning, recognizing and addressing power imbalances, and strengthening relationships with the diverse communities we serve. This work is central to effective behavioral health care and is deeply aligned with the BHRS Transformation Journey, Multicultural Organizational Development (MCOD), and Targeted Strategies 4.0 (TS 4.0), ensuring equity, accountability, and healing-centered practice are embedded across our systems. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Cultural Humility 101 training cohort, whose years of dedication and leadership have helped train and shape BHRS’ workforce and embed Cultural Humility into everyday practice across the organization.

This milestone also follows BHRS’ recent hosting of its first Cultural Humility 102 training, recognized by Dr. Melanie Tervalon, co-founder of the Cultural Humility framework, as the first of its kind nationally. Cultural Humility 102 was created in direct response to staff voice, where staff consistently shared that they wanted more than an introduction and were seeking practical ways to bring Cultural Humility alive in their work, relationships, and daily lives. This advanced training deepens practice by focusing on real-world application, organizational culture, and power dynamics, and by strengthening accountability at both individual and institutional levels. It also includes exclusive video insights from Dr. Tervalon reflecting on the evolution and future of the framework. We thank the Cultural Humility 102 Planning Committee for designing this training with such insight, care, and intentionality. Due to strong interest and impact, Cultural Humility 102 will be offered again in late summer 2026, continuing BHRS’ commitment to making Cultural Humility not just training, but a lived practice.

Written by Dr. Maria Lorente Foresti, Directors of BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

Draft BHSA Three Year Integrated Plan for fiscal years 2026-2029 Now Available for Review

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The draft Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) Three Year Integrated Plan for fiscal years 2026-2029 is now available for review on the MHSA and BHSA transition websites.

The draft IP will be available for review and public comment for a minimum of 30 days through Friday, March 6th, 2026. Community members are encouraged to read and submit feedback on the draft IP, as follows:

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