The BHRS Central Youth Team is looking for a well-qualified individual for the position of Family Peer Support Specialist I/II-Behavioral Health-Spanish Speaking Required to, under immediate supervision, provide support, wellness/recovery and educational services to family/caregivers of behavioral health and recovery program services; participate as a member of our service provision teams; and perform related duties as assigned.
The Family Peer Support Specialist will provide peer support and help families of youth (ages 6-18) access community resources that promote wellness, resiliency, and recovery. As a full-time team member, they will collaborate with families and staff to develop strength-based treatment goals, support families as their loved one enters mental health treatment, and facilitate psychoeducational or support groups. The role includes some evening hours (5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.) as needed and involves sharing personal experiences when appropriate. The Family Peer Support Specialist will work closely with the Central Youth Team, which includes clinicians and psychiatrists.
Congratulations to Renee Harris and Jo Padilla for being San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ 2025 George Culores Hall of Fame recipients! This award recognizes consumer/clients who have made contributions to better the lives of other consumer/clients; shown leadership in the consumer movement or have a personal journey of recovery that inspires and gives hope to others.
This award was named after San Mateo resident George Culores who worked diligently for many years giving back to the San Mateo County mental health communities.
About the recipients:
Renee Harris
Renee Harris is a mother, suicide survivor, Peer Support Specialist, and Lived Experience Academy graduate. She has been an active member of the Suicide Prevention Committee in San Mateo County. Renee is well qualified for this recognition and honor because, with all her roles and for about 15 years, she continues to transform her trauma into awareness, inspiration and care for other clients/consumers and community members of San Mateo County. Renee’s lived experience, compassion and purpose-driven passion has helped countless clients/family members and community members find their own path to hope, recovery and healing.
Joana ‘Jo’ Padilla
Jo has displayed exemplary leadership by completing the Lived Experience Academy that she later helped co-facilitate as well as speaking at the Board of Supervisors and other San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services events, participating in Health Equity Initiatives, working towards her Medi-Cal peer support specialist certification, volunteering with behavioral health community organizations and being a role model for other Behavioral Health & Recovery Services clients and family members.
Please join us for an upcoming Adult Mental Health First Aid Training. This important session will equip you with valuable knowledge and practical skills to support someone who may be facing mental health or substance abuse challenges.
The training covers the initial steps to take when you encounter someone in need, and provides you with effective tools to help navigate these situations with confidence and care. It’s a great opportunity to learn how to provide the right support when it’s needed most.
Details of the training:
Date: March 22
Time: 9am-6pm
Location: Le Maota, 833 Mahler Road, Burlingame, CA
Whether you’re already familiar with mental health issues or new to the topic, this training will help you feel more prepared and comfortable in supporting those around you.
You are invited to a free naloxone administration training on Friday, February 14 from 9-10 am at 2000 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, in the Atrium Room.
San Mateo County BHRS invites you to an informative presentation on overdose prevention, how to recognize symptoms of an overdose and what to do about it! Attendees will receive a free box of naloxone.
*Please note this session will be filmed as part of a training demonstration project with the UCSF Alumni Program.*
Our very own Dr. Ronni Brown was named recipient of the 2025 UCSF Alumni Practitioner Award, recognizing an alumnus whose work demonstrates clinical empathy, understanding and caring within health care. To help honor this achievement, UCSF will be getting video footage of Ronni administering the training.
We look forward to seeing you at the upcoming MHSA Steering Committee meeting this Thursday, February 6th at 3pm.
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 meeting agenda is attached. The latest information for MHSA can always be found on the MHSA website, http://www.smchealth.org/MHSA, under the “Announcements” tab.
Proposed Agenda:
Announcements
BHSA Taskforce Interest Survey
MHSA Program Outcomes Workgroups Recommendations
BHSA Community Program Planning (Prop. 1 Transition)
MHSA Annual Update Presentation
Meeting Details:
San Mateo Library, Laurel Room, 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo
Please share this event with your networks. San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health & Recovery Services’ Diversity & Equity Council is inviting Legal Aid of San Mateo County to present for the community.
Legal Aid will discuss community concerns around access to civil legal services with a focus on access to healthcare and public benefits for LGBTQ+, undocumented and mental health consumers.
Learn about Health Consumer Center at Legal Aid, the types of cases they support, and information about Medi-Cal for all, including undocumented individuals.
What: Presentation from Legal Aid of San Mateo County
When: Friday, 2/7/25, 11AM-12:30PM
Where: Via Zoom (Email Brenda Nuñez at Brenda.Nunez@star-vista.org for Zoom info)
Suicide Prevention Committee are proposing new projects, including a new resource flyer, data visualization and video series. More details to be shared in upcoming meetings.
The next MHSA Steering Committee meeting is on Thursday, February 6th from 3-4:30pm. 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 meeting flyer is attached. Agenda items include the Community Program Planning process for Prop. 1 transition to BHSA and the MHSA Annual Update for FY 2025-26. The latest information for MHSA can always be found on the MHSA website, http://www.smchealth.org/MHSA, under the “Announcements” tab.
Meeting Details:
San Mateo Library, Laurel Room, 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (In-Person)
ASIST is a two-day in person interactive workshop in suicide first aid. ASIST teaches participants to recognize when someone may be at risk for suicide and work with them to create a plan to support their immediate safety. Skills learned in one environment are transferable to others, creating a life-saving impact across the community.
This course is offered by San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity:
Dedicated to empowering youth and families in underserved communities through evidence-based mental health training, Kingdom Love LLC focus is on strengthening family and community connections by providing accessible, skill-based education that fosters a shared understanding for prevention and early intervention.
To learn more and register for upcoming trainings, visit:
This is a two-hour foundational workshop that infuses culture and diversity throughout. The County offers a Mental Health version and a Suicide Prevention version.MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID
This is an eight-hour skills-based training course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental health or substance uses signs or crises. The County offers a youth and adult version of this workshop.
For more information about both trainings above, please contact: Sylvia Tang stang@smcgov.org
CALL TO ACTION!
We have the power to make a difference. By spreading awareness, providing support, and advocate for change, we can help people create aa world where they feel seen, heard, and supported. Here are ways you can help:
Actively participate in the next SPC meeting:
Tuesday, January 7th, 2025, 1:30pm – 3:00pm Web Browser: https://zoom.us/j/410362485 (Meeting ID: 410 362 485) One-Tap Phone: +16699006833,,410362485# Phone (dial-in): +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 410 362 485
Invite Someone New! Ask new stakeholder, partner, agency, organization, community member to join the SPC mailing list.
Announcements? Have an important commission meeting? Upcoming event you would like to highlight? Send an email by the second Tuesday of each month for co-chairs review to:walter.ng@star-vista.org
QUESTIONS OR FEEDBACK? READY TO GET INVOLVED? CONTACT US!
Sylvia Tang, MPP (She/Her) Community Health Planner San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) stang@smcgov.org (650) 208 – 5799
Our next MHSA Steering Committee meeting is on Thursday, December 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.
Meeting flyer is attached. The latest information for MHSA can always be found on the MHSA website, http://www.smchealth.org/MHSA, under the “Announcements” tab.
Proposed Agenda:
Announcements:
MHSA Program Outcomes Workgroup
BHSA (Prop 1) Transition Next Steps
San Mateo County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP)
Meeting Details:
San Mateo Library, Laurel Room, 55 W 3rd Ave, San Mateo
You must be logged in to post a comment.