Author Archives: Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

1/25- 2024 One Day Homeless Count Volunteers Needed!

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The County of San Mateo’s Human Services Agency, in collaboration with community partners, will be hosting the One Day Homeless Count on Thursday, January 25, 2024 from approximately 5 AM to 10 AM. 

Every other year, San Mateo County’s Continuum of Care is federally required to conduct a Point-in-Time Count of the unsheltered homeless population in our County. The data collected is an important piece to developing understanding of the unsheltered homeless population, local planning, grant funding, and program development. 

On the morning of the Count, approximately 400 volunteers will be deployed across the County to conduct the Observational Count.

TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE COUNT, REGISTER BY USING THIS LINK: General Volunteer Registration – 2024 One Day Homeless Count. 

As a volunteer, you are committing to the following: (Total Time Commitment – 5.5 to 6.5 HRS) 

  • (1.5 HRS) Attending a 1.5-hour mandatory training via Zoom.
    • During the training, we will provide an overview of the One Day Homeless Count, the County’s homeless system, event logistics, how to collect data and answer your questions. 
    • You must complete the training to participate as a volunteer, and we will be monitoring attendance at all of the sessions. 
    • Both weekday and weekend trainings will be available throughout January 2024. Sign-ups are on a first come first serve basis so register early to secure your preferred date and time! You will receive an email with information about your training after you complete registration. 
    • Upon training completion, you will receive 1.5 hours of LMS credit. 
  • (4-5 HRS) Participating in the One Day Homeless Count on Thursday, January 25, 2024, from approximately 5 AM to 10 AM. Breakfast and coffee will be provided! 
  • You will need to receive supervisor approval prior to registering. Supervisors will confer with their Department Director who will authorize staff participation on County time depending on the department’s operational needs. 

We encourage you to share our flyer and spread the word to your family, friends, neighbors, and community members! This opportunity is a great way to get involved and learn about our County’s homelessness response system. For more information and to stay up to date on this event, please refer to our page on the HSA website. 

If you have any further questions, please email us at HSA_OneDayCount@smcgov.org. 

2024-ODC-General-Volunteer-Registration-FlyerDownload

11/22 – San Mateo County Native American Heritage Month Gathering

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Hello,

We invite you to join Supervisor Corzo and Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity & Equity‘s Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative for our first San Mateo County Native American Heritage Month gathering on Wednesday 11/22/23 in Redwood City at 9am. Please see the flyer for additional information.

To learn more about Native Indigenous People’s Initiative, visit SMCHealth.org/NIPI.

Funding Opportunity to Boost Equity

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Funding Opportunity to Boost Equity: County Seeks Applications in Key Service Areas

housing


The County of San Mateo announced the release of Measure K funding opportunities to provide services for residents in three priority areas: children, families and seniors; emergency preparedness; and housing and homelessness.
“The Board of Supervisors is looking for bold, innovative ideas,” said County Executive Mike Callagy. “This is not about business as usual. This is a great opportunity to make a real difference, to boost equity and to improve lives here in San Mateo County.”

Applicants can be nonprofit organizations, private businesses or joint ventures (individuals are not eligible to apply). Entities of any size are encouraged to apply.

The County anticipates approximately $35 million will be available.

Learn more at our November 10th Pre-Proposal Meeting and Technical Support Session:
November 10, 2023, 10:00am | Agenda | Meeting Link: https://smcgov.zoom.us/j/9404686015

11/20 – 2023 Transgender Day of Remembrance

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In honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), we invite the community to join us at San Mateo Public Library on Monday, November 20, from 4:30-6:30pm.

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.

This year’s event includes an Altar, Reading of the Names, and a Call to Action. Creating change is difficult; especially when we mourn those who have lost their lives simply for being themselves. We want to honor those who have died and also create ways for our community to learn and take action to eliminate the murder of transgender people. Transgender Day of Remembrance is adjacent to United Against Hate Week 2023. Learn more on the County’s website about how you can take part in other activities throughout the week from November 12-19. 

Register for the event here.

About:
The Transgender Day of Remembrance event is a collaboration between several community organizations around San Mateo County. Please visit each group’s website to learn more about how they support the LGBTQIA+ community. This is where “ally” becomes a verb and we all take part in creating inclusive spaces at home, at work, and at school.

TDOR Eng FlyerDownload
TDOR SP FlyerDownload

National Recovery Month – a Celebration of Recovery

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National Recovery Month, better known as “Recovery Happens Month” in San Mateo County, is a national observance held every September since 1989. Now in its 33rd year, Recovery Month educates Americans on the fact that treatment can enable those with mental health and substance use challenges to live healthy and rewarding lives. Since 2014, Voices of Recovery, in collaboration with BHRS, has joined in this celebration to promote awareness, positivity, and encouragement for those who are in or seeking recovery, and that with strength, support, and hope, recovery is possible.

Special events held in San Mateo County throughout September celebrate the gains made by individuals living in recovery. This year’s events will be held in person, with COVID prevention precautions in place, including the popular BBQ Picnic and Resource Fair happening on September 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coyote Point. 

Check out the full list of events here.  We hope to see you there!

BHRS Director’s Update – August 2022

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See the latest issue of the Director’s Update from BHRS interim director, Lisa Mancini.  Topics include:

  • San Mateo County – One of the Best Communities for Mental Health
  • National 988 Number Launched for Suicide and Mental Health CrisesThe
  • BHRS Director Transition
  • Contractors’ Association Spotlight – Voices of Recovery 
  • CalAIM Corner:  Documentation Reform

Past issues can be found here.

David Lewis Award Nominations – Due August 16

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The San Mateo County Behavioral Health Commission is seeking nominees for its annual David Lewis Award – Recognizing Outstanding Contributions towards Recovery.

This honor is made to the individual or organization that has made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with substance abuse disorders and the San Mateo County community.

Recognition is given for public education or advocacy around alcohol and other drug abuse issues or to address stigma; services to persons with substance abuse disorders; creation of new and innovative programs or community support activities; recognition of fundraising for substance abuse treatment activities or long-term financial support to substance abuse programs; working for new legislation; compassionate treatment of persons with alcohol and other drug disorders.

Download the nomination form.

BHRS Director’s Update – July 2022

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Please see the latest issue of the Director’s Update from Scott Gilman.  Topics include:

  • Celebrating Mental Health Month
  • Cariño Project Expands Services for Coastside Farmworkers and Families
  • Behavioral Health Commission (renamed)
  • Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT)
  • Contractors’ Association Spotlight – StarVista
  • CalAIM Corner:  No Wrong Door

Past issues can be found here.

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