The Waves of Wellness: Family Function event was held on Saturday, November 2 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in San Bruno. This gathering was an opportunity to connect the Pacific Islander community, nurture health and celebrate the rich cultural heritage. With around 60 attendees, the event was a vibrant and joyful reflection of the power of unity and collective well-being.
In the spirit of health and healing, the event offered a range of resources designed to support physical, mental, and emotional wellness. Community members had access to free flu shots, Hepatitis B testing and health screenings provided by the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. The Xtreme Hip Hop session with Rock brought energy and fun to the day, while passport support services and additional resources aimed to empower attendees with the tools they need to thrive.
More than 10 community organizations were present, offering a variety of health-related and culturally relevant resources. Notably, the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Pacific Islander Initiative (PII) and Samoan Solutions provided important information and support to attendees. These tables were a vital part of fostering a deeper connection within the community, offering healing services and raising awareness about critical health issues.
This event also highlighted the importance of cultural celebration and solidarity within the Pacific Islander community. It was an opportunity not only to share resources but also to honor the traditions and strength of the community. The day’s success was a reminder that when we come together—whether in celebration, support, or healing—we create lasting bonds and build a foundation for collective wellness.
The Waves of Wellness: Family Function event was made possible through the generous sponsorship of Health Right 360/Asian American Recovery Services, Essence of Mana, the Wolverine Rugby Club, the San Francisco Environment Department and the San Francisco Hep B Free-Bay Area Organization. Their partnership, alongside the dedication of all involved, ensured that the event was a meaningful, impactful experience for all who attended.
Wednesday October 16 was the 17th annual Housing Hero Awards! Each year, the Housing Hero Awards honor our community partners and colleagues who have demonstrated exceptional leadership in providing and/or maintaining housing for San Mateo County Residents with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues. This year, BHRS Deputy Director Talisha Racy gave a warm welcome and introduced the afternoon’s keynote speaker, Supervisor David Canepa. It was a heartwarming event, with three speakers sharing on how housing has directly impacted their lives. The importance of collaboration among providers was emphasized as a key factor in successful housing. Anyone interested in joining the 2025 Housing Heroes Committee can contact Kelsey Dattilo kdattilo@smcgov.org.
2024 Housing Heroes:
Julie Huynh (Administrator), Jenny Lambarte (Residential Services Manager), and Nick Samudio (Mental Health Support Services Manager) of Drake House, Front St. Inc. RCFE (Residential Care Facility for the Elderly).
Sayoko Yoshimura (Director) and Kendra Ceccato (Assistant Director) of Caminar Hawthorne House.
Victoria Asfour of SMPD Homeless Outreach.
BHRS Pathways Team.
Evangeline Griepenstroh, Independent Landlord
Lastly, the recipient of the Carole Groom Housing Leadership Award, given to an individual or organization that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, creativity, and dedication to developing affordable, safe, and supportive housing for our County’s most at-risk populations, was awarded to Everst Barillos of Blanca’s Place Board and Care.
As the Bay Area grapples with a rising cost of living, the Daly City Youth Health Center (DCYHC) has emerged as a beacon of hope and innovation in addressing the behavioral health workforce crisis. For over 30 years, DCYHC has provided essential mental health services, primary care, substance use prevention and health education to residents of North San Mateo County. With a steadfast commitment to supporting youth and their families, DCYHC is actively working to tackle the challenges of workforce recruitment and retention through strategic initiatives that enhance training and promote long-term employment in the field.
Understanding the Challenge
The behavioral health sector is facing unprecedented recruitment and retention challenges, particularly in finding diverse providers who can effectively reflect and serve the community’s demographics. As mental health needs escalate, the demand for qualified professionals continues to outpace supply, making it increasingly difficult to deliver adequate services. This crisis not only impacts service delivery but also threatens the sustainability of community organizations that rely on a skilled workforce to meet local youth needs.
A Comprehensive Internship Program
At the heart of DCYHC’s strategy is a comprehensive internship program designed to cultivate the next generation of behavioral health professionals. This initiative transforms novice helpers into skilled, empathic clinicians equipped to meet community demands. The internship program emphasizes quality training in several key areas:
Intensive Clinical Training: Interns engage in rigorous training that covers foundational principles of therapy and social work, including legal and ethical considerations, crisis intervention, counseling techniques, and clinical documentation. “But all of this is not enough to foster real healing,” said Annya Shapiro, DCYHC’s executive director, adding, “New clinicians cannot be expected to discuss what they did not notice; they must be observed in their work and receive in-the-moment feedback to foster a higher level of clinical growth while giving clients the best possible care.” To facilitate this, the organization prioritizes in-the-moment supervision and feedback, ultimately aiming to improve client outcomes.
Peer Education and Outreach: Through collaborations with the Jefferson Union High School District (JUHSD), DCYHC recruits interns to coordinate training for youth leaders, empowering them to become peer health educators. This program focuses on building coping and resiliency skills while addressing critical issues surrounding gender, sexual orientation and identity. Additionally, DCYHC’s youth leadership programs allow participants to engage in substance use research, policy advocacy and event planning, fostering essential skills in workshop facilitation, media messaging and community organization.
Substance Use Intervention: Each year, DCYHC trains ten interns in the Brief Interventions Model (BIM), utilizing motivational interviewing techniques to support the Alternatives to Suspension Program. This approach helps address teen substance use constructively, emphasizing engagement rather than punitive measures.
Joana Vicuna, a current intern, captures the essence of DCYHC’s mission, “I chose to stay at my traineeship because it allows me to bridge language and cultural gaps, empowering marginalized families in my community. At DCYHC, I find purpose in dismantling stigma and fostering healing, knowing that every child’s voice matters in shaping a brighter future.”
Strengthening Community Partnerships
DCYHC has established strong partnerships with several educational institutions, including San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco. These relationships bolster recruitment efforts by facilitating connections with passionate students eager for real-world experience in behavioral health. The organization actively participates in university practicum fairs, hosts open house events, and develops targeted marketing materials to attract diverse candidates.
Retaining Talent Through Support and Growth
The retention of skilled interns and staff is equally critical to DCYHC’s mission. The organization fosters a supportive and inclusive culture characterized by:
Ongoing Professional Development: Interns and staff engage in continuous training, enabling them to grow and feel fulfilled in their work with clients.
Inclusive Agency Culture: DCYHC prides itself on a warm and collaborative environment that prioritizes trauma-informed principles. This culture encourages healthy feedback, incorporates fun and humor and promotes a balanced work-life dynamic.
Job Placement Opportunities: Annually, DCYHC collaborates with over ten local nonprofit agencies to host a job fair, connecting well-trained interns with meaningful positions in the behavioral health field across San Mateo County. Stay tuned for updates about the next Behavioral Health Job Fair coming up in April!
Youth Leadership Programs: By inviting young students into the health center, DCYHC creates pathways for future professionals. These programs foster community engagement and advocacy, nurturing a new generation of health leaders who are invested in their communities.
Gracia Martinez Najera, a senior clinician and former intern, reflects on her journey, “As a youth growing up in this community, I asked myself, what would it be like if someone working to support my community spoke and looked like me, my family and my neighbors? It was an easy decision for me to stay at DCYHC because I witnessed firsthand the support our staff and leadership team gave us to help us support our clients.”
Looking Ahead
As DCYHC continues to invest in training and development, it recognizes that today’s efforts are crucial for cultivating a well-prepared workforce ready to meet the evolving needs of the community. The organization’s commitment to a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and supportive workplace ensures that every intern is equipped with the skills and experience necessary to thrive in the field.
Each year, DCYHC welcomes a new cohort of 15-20 interns. While budget constraints may limit immediate hiring, the organization takes pride in sending well-trained clinicians into the behavioral health workforce. With a focus on family engagement, collaborative practices, and an innovative approach, DCYHC is not only addressing the current workforce crisis but also shaping a brighter future for behavioral health care in our community.
By Annya Shapiro, executive director of DCYHC. For more information on DCYHC and its programs, visit DCYHC’s website or contact us at DCYHC@jeffersonunion.net. Together, we can build a healthier community for our youth and beyond.
My name is Amanda, I am 36 years old and live in South San Francisco. I am a graduate of the BHRS program, Lived Experience Academy (LEA). I am grateful to be celebrating another National Suicide Prevention Month as a survivor of my own suicide attempt in 2007. I am passionate about sharing my story with others in hopes that it may help someone who is struggling or someone who may think that suicide is their only option. I hope to spark the notion that with the right support, they too can find purpose and reason for living.
Living with Bipolar Disorder has sunk me to the lowest depths of depression, darkness, addiction and isolation. As well as mania that gives me superhuman energy, creativity and many times impulsive behaviors. After waking up in the ICU and realizing I survived my attempt, it became my mission to learn new tools to better navigate the world with the cards I had been dealt. I got sober, lived in a halfway house, committed myself to behavioral health and cut ties with relationships that were not supportive of my new healthy lifestyle. I wish my story was linear and I could say that I lived happily ever after, but my journey continues to have many turns and dips.
The most important thing for me now is that I am supported no matter the hurdles I may encounter. I have a support team through various resources: friends and family, North County Mental Health, the Access Call Center, weekly meetings with my private therapist and healthcare doctors (to keep not only my mind healthy but my body healthy as well, because it’s all connected) and community involvement.
My mind is sneaky, I can convince myself at times that I am “fine” and I don’t need all of this support. This is when I am especially grateful to have outside team members who gently remind me of my goals and treatment plans I created with them while in a more grounded headspace.
I put work in every single day to combat the challenges that come along with bipolar, building my mental fitness so I never attempt to take my life again. My hope is that we can have open conversations about mental wellness all year long, after the hype of a day or month has past. And to peel away some of the layers of stigma around mental health patients so more people will feel comfortable connecting to resources and building their own support teams.
By Amanda Brant, Suicide Survivor, LEA Graduate and Lived Experience Education Workgroup (LEEW) Member.
Our next MHSA Steering Committee meeting is on Thursday, September 5th. Please note that this is a hybrid meeting. For those who want to join in person, we will be meeting at the San Mateo Library (55 W 3rd Ave in San Mateo). The Zoom link is included below if you prefer to join virtually and the phone line for those conferencing in. The latest information for MHSA can always be found on the MHSA website, www.smchealth.org/MHSA, under the “Announcements” tab.
Next MHSA Steering Committee – Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 3-4:30pm (hybrid meeting)
Now that we have the vote results for Proposition 1, we will be focusing the meeting on next steps, timeline for implementation and an opportunity for participants to provide input on the community planning process that will support implementation.
San Mateo Library, Laurel Room, 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo
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