2019 Tony Hoffman Awards

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The Tony Hoffman Award, presented by the San Mateo County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission recognizes individuals, professionals, businesses, or media representatives who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with mental illness and the San Mateo County community. Recognition is given for public education or advocacy to promote mental health awareness and needs or to address stigma; services to 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; working for new mental health legislation; compassionate treatment of persons with mental illness. 

We salute this year’s recipients:

  • Detective Mike Tabak (law enforcement) is with the San Mateo Sheriff’s Department and he leads the Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT). He was recognized for the ways in which he tirelessly connects patients and families with services and resources to prevent hospitalization and incarceration.
Det. Mike Tabak, 2019
Tony Awards Recipient

“When a call involves a suspected mental health crisis, a deputy officer is often the first person to arrive on the scene. Detective Tabak works with all law enforcement in the county to administer 40 hours of Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) training every three months – three times the state average. He continuously strives for greater collaboration around mental health issues.” -David Pollack, Nominating Officer

Jeffrey John Earl Edgerton (r), 2019 Tony Award Recipient
  • Jeffrey John Earl Edgerton (client/servce provider/volunteer) is an AOD counselor at Voices of Recovery and a wrap facilitator who empowers individuals with peer support. 

Edgerton says his work is in the community of mental health and substance use disorder. In accepting his nomination he lamented on how comorbidity has plagued himself and his peers for years, yet he has been able to reach full recovery despite life challenges through a Wellness Recovery Action Plan and the 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous

  • Jonay Grant (service provider/not pictured) works as a BHRS Transitional Age Youth counselor, peer counseling course instructor and she is an anti-stigma mental health role model.

“She is dedicated to helping people in the community. She also is creative and inspiring to her students. She motivates and encourages peers to be the person they can be”. -Yoko Ng, Nominating Officer

**Awards were presented to honorees at the San Mateo County Mental Health & Substance Abuse Commission meeting on May 1, 2019.