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.
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
The County of San Mateo’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity is happy to announce that we have two new interns for this year! Our interns are passionate, driven, and experienced in advancing equity, wellness, and prevention for culturally diverse underserved/unserved populations. Our interns and their respective work areas include:
Michelle Tolentino Serrano (she/her/ella) – Health Ambassador Program
Michelle is currently a Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Office of Diversity and Equity (BHRS ODE) Intern for the Health Ambassador Program. With a bachelor’s degree in communications (health emphasis) and recent master’s degree in Healthcare Administration, Michelle is excited to contribute to a program that is dedicated to promoting mental health awareness and reducing stigma within the community. Drawing from personal/professional experiences and a commitment to service, she looks forward to gaining practical skills in public health education, advocacy, and community outreach. She hopes to continue this commitment to public health and community advocacy with pursuing opportunities to work as a coordinator for a Latinx/Queer center in higher education or in a related government role. Outside of professional endeavors, Michelle enjoys spending time with her cats, partner and family/friends, gardening, reading mystery/thriller, educating herself about political issues and crafting including beading, painting, sewing.
Maddy Marquez (she/them) – Parent Project & Photovoice Program
Maddy Marquez is currently a full-time student in their senior year at San Jose State University where they are studying to get their bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies. Maddy is very passionate about her schooling and is taking this internship opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills to better serve her community. Born and raised in the Bay Area, Maddy is Hispanic and has had the pleasure of experiencing programs like Puente during her time at community college. This program sparked her love for learning more about her heritage and culture. She is especially grateful because she was able to get credits for classes like English through the lens of her community. Maddy has also tailored her current education around learning about marginalized groups by writing a paper on the prevalence of domestic violence within the LGBTQ+ community as well as expanding her knowledge on these subjects with classes like human rights and justice, immigration and justice, race gender inequality and law, prison community, criminal law, and research methods in justice.
During their time at ODE, Maddy will be primarily supporting the Parent Project and Photovoice programs. She will also be assisting with systemic equity, as ODE consists of members who contribute to both aspects of health with community facing projects as well as the systems to better serve the members of this beautiful community in San Mateo County. She is very excited for her time at ODE and has enjoyed getting to meet so many amazing people who put their community first and are always looking to help others. During her time she has had the pleasure of working with an amazing, driven, kind team who has been very welcoming and supportive in getting her adjusted to her new role. Maddy is taking advantage of their time here in ODE to open their horizons for the possibilities of different career options that utilize their degree, allowing them to give a fresh perspective with their knowledge of the criminal justice system and how it can tie into other areas of the systems that involve our lives every day. Outside of school and work, Maddy enjoys spending her days with her lovely fiancé and their family along with their 3 cats. She also really enjoys watching movies because she is a sucker for a good rom com.
About the Internship Program The Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) Internship Program is designed to provide work opportunities and practical learning experience for undergraduate and graduate students to enhance their academic preparation and expose them to public service at the county level. This program is offered every fiscal year from September to June. Interns work 20-hours per week and are paid with a stipend funded by the Mental Health Services Act.
About the Office of Diversity and Equity The Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) advances health equity in behavioral health outcomes of marginalized communities throughout San Mateo County. ODE works to empower communities; influence policy and system changes; develop strategic and meaningful partnerships; and promote workforce development and transformation within the County’s behavioral health service system.
On behalf of the Spirituality Initiative of San Mateo County, we are excited to invite you to our 10th Annual Interfaith National Day of Prayer 2025at Woodside Road United Methodist Church (2000 Woodside Road, Redwood City), on Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM.
Previously held in the San Mateo County Courthouse Courtyard, this year, we move indoors to provide an increased sense of safety and security in these sensitive times. The congregation of Woodside Road United Methodist Church welcomes the opportunity to host a powerful multifaith, multicultural event, centered on the theme “Pour Out to Your Higher Power of Hope and be Filled.”
We are ALL touched by behavioral health challenges, in our lives, often in our families, and certainly in our community. This event brings together diverse people of faith who will join countless others across the country in a national act of defiance for the status quo, surrender, unconditional love, and radical acceptance. We would be honored to have your Health Equity Initiative provide a resource table at the event. We believe that your services are essential to our community and directly align with our mission of providing hope and support through spirituality. Having your Health Equity Initiative present will provide attendees with direct access to vital behavioral health and wellness resources, reinforcing our message of prioritizing faith in one’s journey to wellness and recovery. Your presence would be essential to the spirit and success of this event, and we hope that you can join us.
Please extend a warm invitation to family, friends, and peers.
Sadly, this year’s Interfaith National Day of Prayer may be the last major affirmative act of the Spirituality Initiative, as San Mateo County funding through the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) is set to change in July 2026, making your presence and contribution especially meaningful.
In honor of Suicide Prevention Month and Recovery Happens Month, we are hosting free events all throughout the month of September! For most up-to-date info on events, visit SMCHealth.org/SPM.
This year’s statewide theme is #SupportYourWay. Join us in validating the choice to reach out for help, understanding that support can look different for everyone, and reframing the act of asking for support as taking control—not losing it.
Today on 9/8 aka 988 Day and the start of Suicide Prevention week, we are uplifting the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Learn the difference between 911 and 988. This resource is always here for you. You can also call the San Mateo County Crisis Line at (650) 579-0350 24/7 for help during a mental health crisis and the San Mateo County Mobile Crisis Response Team can come to you in person.
Events happening this week: 💜 9/8 – STS and Alt2Su Suicide Awareness Panel | Heart & Soul Clinic, Burlingame 💜 9/9 – Voices of Recovery’s Brunch/ Philomena Walk of Hope | 400 County Center, Redwood City 💜 9/9 – Board of Supervisors Proclamation | 500 County Center, Redwood City
Since its launch in Fall 2016, the Health Ambassador Program for Youth (HAP-Y) has been transforming the way young people in San Mateo County understand, talk about, and lead in the field of behavioral health. What began as a vision to empower youth with tools and knowledge to support themselves and their peers has grown into a powerful community of more than 300 trained ambassadors.
Over the course of 14 weeks of training, HAP-Y participants gain skills in psychoeducation, suicide prevention, healthy coping, healthy relationships, and storytelling. The program culminates in the Photovoice workshop, a unique opportunity for youth to share their lived experiences through photography and narrative. Year after year, participants describe this workshop as their favorite.
“Photovoice is magical… It’s really incredible how emotions can be so clearly conveyed through a few words from a nervous youth.” – HAP-Y Participant
HAP-Y has not only been an educational program—it has been a career pathway and inspiration. Many ambassadors have gone on to pursue studies and careers in behavioral health, with alumni now working as clinicians or working toward their licensure.
Like many community programs, HAP-Y faced a turning point during the pandemic. Originally designed for in-person meetings, the program quickly adapted to an all-virtual format to ensure that young people could continue to access support and training during a critical time. Today, HAP-Y thrives under a hybrid model: 12 weeks of virtual workshops followed by 2 weeks of in-person sessions, striking a balance between flexibility and the meaningful connections built face-to-face.
📣 September Suicide Prevention Month is officially upon us! Throughout the month, get involved in suicide prevention in your community by attending one of our many free events being hosted all throughout San Mateo County. Look forward to art shows, suicide prevention trainings, a glass etching art night, panels and more! Learn more about the events at SMCHealth.org/SPM.
Events happening this week: 💜 9/3 at 5:30PM – Creating Safety Through Expressions, Mouton Center in East Palo Alto 💜 9/5 at 5PM – Voices of Recovery Annual Candlelight Vigil 💜 9/8 at 1PM – STS and Alt2Su Suicide Awareness Panel, Heart & Soul Clinic in Burlingame
We are excited to announce that this year’s 18th Annual Housing Hero Awards will feature a Photovoice Pop-Up! This Photovoice Pop-Up intends to recognize housing stability and its importance in one’s journey to recovery from co-occurring substance use, mental health and primary health issues. Additionally, this event will feature displayed photovoices from our previous Housing Photovoice session facilitated by Senior Community Worker/Housing Specialist, Lee Harrison.
No registration needed for this event. Just come to the award ceremony and complete a Photovoice as you please.
2024 David Lewis Award Recipient, Voices of Recovery
Nomination form for the 2024 David Lewis Award is now open. Deadline to submit nomination form is August 15th, 2025.
This award is presented to an individual who has made a significant contribution to substance abuse recovery through successful programs, community education, stigma reduction or client advocacy. David Lewis was a long-term employee of San Mateo County Health. He was the co-founder and president of the Board of Directors of “Free at Last,” a substance abuse treatment and prevention agency in East Palo Alto that seeks to break the cycle of addiction, rebuild families, foster education and economic self sufficiency, and contribute to the health and safety of the community.
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