Monthly Archives: October 2025

Board of Supervisors Special Meeting Tomorrow, 10/28

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The Board of Supervisors want to hear from you at a special meeting! What qualities do you want to see in the next Sheriff serving our community? How should the next Sheriff be selected?
Participate in-person or online. Find agenda and zoom information here when published at least 24 hours prior to meeting: https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx💬 To share your input with the Board, please participate during the public comment period in person, via Zoom, or by emailing boardfeedback@smcgov.org.

La Junta de Supervisores quiere escuchar su opinión en una reunión especial.

  •  ¿Qué cualidades desea ver en el próximo Alguacil que prestará servicio a nuestra comunidad?
  • ¿Quién será nuestro próximo Alguacil?

Participe en persona o en línea. Encuentre la agenda y la información de Zoom aquí, cuando se publique al menos 24 horas antes de la reunión: https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

💬 Para compartir su opinión con la Junta, participe durante el período de comentarios públicos en persona, a través de Zoom o enviando un correo electrónico a boardfeedback@smcgov.org

县监事会想在特别会议上听听您的意见！

·        我们下一任警长应该具备哪些特质？

·        下一任警长应该如何选出？可亲自或在线参与。会议议程及Zoom资料将于会议前至少24小时公布，请在此查阅:https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

Interfaith National Day of Prayer Ignites Healing and Hope

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San Mateo County (SMC) Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) held its 10th annual Interfaith National Day of Prayer on October 11, 2025. This event brought together community and faith leaders from diverse traditions to promote healing, unity, and collective well-being across all spiritual and religious beliefs.

The event opened with a land acknowledgment by the Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative (NIPI) and an ancestral blessing by Ramona Laughing Brook Webb. Elder Pam Ward Pious, Co-Chair of the Spirituality Initiative, shared her lived experience and poetry on the power of faith and resilience. Reverend Katie Goetz spoke about the day’s meaning and her congregation’s inclusive welcome message.

Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti shared insights on the connection between spirituality and healing, highlighting how BHRS supports spiritual well-being through its policies and Health Equity Initiatives. Yolanda Ramirez, from the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA), led a bilingual reading of the Serenity Prayer. Dr. Tia Bell closed with a guided meditation centering on peace and renewal.

A particularly moving part of the program was when courageous community members shared how faith has guided their recovery and wellness journeys. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sam, Ebony, Riley, and Armando for their openness, hope, and resilience, which illuminated the path of healing and inspired others through faith and connection.

The SMC Interfaith National Day of Prayer reminded us that healing and hope strengthen when we unite in compassion and collective strength.

Written by Dr. Tia Bell, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

SAVE THE DATE: 11/20- 2025 Transgender Day of Remembrance

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Please save the date for the 2025 Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on 11/20/25 from 5:30PM-7:30PM at South San Francisco’s Park and Recreation Center (33 Arroyo Dr, SSF). More details about how to RSVP coming soon. 

TDOR has traditionally been about honoring the trans people who have been murdered simply by being themselves (the highest number are Black Transgender women). We want to honor victims’ lives with dignity and end the stigma that trans and gender diverse people face. Ultimately, we want to live in a world where transgender people are protected and safe from transphobia and violence.

TDOR 2025 FlyerDownload

11/15- 2025 Sana, Sana, Colita de Rana

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Please join us for our 12th Annual Sana Sana, Colita de Rana event that is co-sponsored by BHRS’ Latino/a/x Collaborative, ALAS, Spiritualiy Initiative and BHRS’ Office of Diversity & Equity.

What is Sana Sana Colita de Rana? This endearing phrase is based on a common children’s rhyme in Spanish about a little frog’s tail healing to offer comfort and to build resilience, especially when a child has been wounded or hurt. When translated literally it means “heal, heal, little frog’s tail.” This expression is commonly used in many Latino/a/x communities to offer consolation when one, specifically a child, has fallen or gotten hurt. The phrase continues with “if you don’t heal today, you will heal tomorrow.” At its core, this message is meant to offer relentless encouragement, that while we may be suffering today, things will get better tomorrow. ​ 

Date/ time: Saturday, November 15th, 2025 from 1PM-4PM.
In-person Location: Foster City Community Center – Wind Room & Patio (1000 E Hillsdale Blvd, Foster City) 
Virtual Location: More info to come
About the event: This is a family-friendly event to promote health and wellness among our Latino/a/x community in SMC. This event will be in Spanish with English interpretation for main events.

This year’s theme is “Where Community Flourishes, Freedom & Well-being are Born”

We are proud to share that our keynote speaker will be Ziomara Ochoa Rodriguez

Additionally, we will have on-site health screenings, food, Zumba Dance Therapy, music, resource booths, and so much more.

No registration required. 

About the event host: This event is hosted by Latino/a/x Collaborative, one of our BHRS Health Equity Initiatives (HEI).
Our HEI’s were created to ensure that all members of our community are afforded access to services and quality care. The initiatives are dedicated to representing specific cultural communities that have been underserved, inappropriately served, or unserved. Their work has assisted us in decreasing stigma, educating and empowering our communities, supporting wellness and recovery, building culturally responsive service, and being a bridge to our County services.

BHRS Transformation Journey Communications Survey

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Later this month, BHRS will launch a communications campaign to build awareness and excitement around the BHRS Transformation Journey, helping staff and external audiences to better understand the transformation and what it means in their roles. Prior to launching, we need your help in completing a survey to better understand current awareness of and feelings toward the Transformation and communications preferences across various audience groups. 

Understanding how staff and community members think, feel, and best engage with current messaging will allow BHRS to tailor the campaign to better meet their expectations, improve clarity, and drive meaningful engagement. ​Topics covered in the survey include:

  • Familiarity with the BHRS Transformation ​
  • Sentiment around BHRS Transformation ​
  • Effectiveness of key messages​
  • Preferred communications channels and messengers ​
  • Preferred tools and resources 

The survey should take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Click on this link BHRS Transformation Journey – Communications Survey to complete the survey. If you have any questions or challenges accessing the survey link, please contact Sofia Recalde at srecalde@smcgov.org.