Category Archives: In the News

Jackie Speier Collaborates with BHRS ODE to Hear from Latinx Mothers

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On Wednesday, March 15th, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity of Equity (ODE) worked in collaboration with retired Congresswoman, Jackie Speier, and Louise Rogers, Director of San Mateo County (SMC) Health to host a virtual event for SMC Latinx mothers to identify their needs and experiences. Jackie Speier has just launched “The Jackie Speier Foundation,” therefore, this virtual event served as a means of better understanding how to better support this community. In an effort to hear the voice of San Mateo County (SMC) mothers, participants from the SMC Parent Project© and the BHRS ODE Health Ambassador Program were invited to attend.

This dialogue led to learning more about our SMC mothers’ concerns around access to services, behavioral health needs for children, economic and employment challenges, and the desire for youth support in different areas of their lives. Additionally, the participants shared thoughtful recommendations and hopes for mothers balancing many needs to provide the best life for their children. The resilience of our communities shined through, with mothers speaking about overcoming obstacles and advocating for their families. Throughout this conversation, Jackie Speier looked to better understand gaps and system barriers impacting mothers and children to access services and supports.

With much gratitude, we thank our community for joining us at this event and for sharing each of their stories with such heart and thoughtfulness. We also thank Jackie Speier for her persistence in identifying how our county can better accommodate the needs of Latinx mothers. We would also like to thank Louise Rogers for her support in making this event happen and her deep understanding of our communities and work throughout our system of care. BHRS ODE will continue to host similar events to ensure the voice of those we serve is represented in our work.

Coronavirus: Older Adults and Prevention

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Hotline for California Seniors to Stay Connected Amid COVID-19

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Governor Gavin Newsom announced the “Stay Home. Save Lives. Check In.” campaign to combat social isolation and food insecurity among seniors vulnerable to COVID-19 in California.

The Governor also announced the creation of a statewide hotline — 833-544-2374 — in coordination with the non-profit local 2-1-1 systems, so that Californians have a one-stop shop to answer their questions and get assistance during this crisis. The 2-1-1 system is able to help older Californians access grocery and medication delivery while staying at home.

Read more here.

Extended Shelter-in-Place Order in Effect

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The Health Officer of San Mateo County has issued a new, generally more restrictive Shelter-In-Place Order effective at 11:59 pm on March 31, 2020. You can find the order here.

This Order is in effect until May 3, 2020 and with it comes new regulations for restaurants and grocery stores still in operation. Please be patient as the FAQs are updated to reflect the new Order.

For more info and answers to general questions, click here.

Census Challenge: Marc Berman, CA Assemblymember

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Join the 2020 Census Challenge!

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County Health Officer’s March 23 Statement: COVID-19

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See the San Mateo County Health Officer, Dr. Scott Morrow’s most recent statement on COVID-19 posted on March 23, which provides a better understanding of where we find ourselves today, and the critical need for everyone to shelter in place.

You can also read his previous statements from 3/16/20, 3/10/20, 3/5/20, and 2/27/20 here: https://www.smchealth.org/post/health-officer-statements.

Get the latest San Mateo County Health COVID-19 news and information at www.smchealth.org/coronavirus.

Protecting Yourself from COVID-19

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Information and Updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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San Mateo County Health is working closely with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to respond to novel coronavirus and its potential impacts on the Bay Area. Visit https://www.smchealth.org/coronavirus for information and updates.

Call 2-1-1 for Non-Medical, Non-Emergency Questions About Coronavirus.

2-1-1 is a confidential service accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week in 180 languages. Callers can get answers to questions about how residents, schools and businesses should prepare for COVID-19, as well as ways to prevent the spread of the virus.

Updated Public Charge Rule Won’t Apply to Many Foreign-Born Residents

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Last summer, the United States Department of Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released an updated policy related to the “public charge” rule aimed to limit immigration benefits for people using certain federal programs.  

A public charge is defined as an individual who relies primarily on government programs to meet certain basic needs such as housing, food or healthcare. Among the programs that are used to determine public charge status, the current federal law includes Targeted Aid for Needy Families (TANF) (otherwise known as CalWORKS in California) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). 

Starting February 24, 2020, the Public Charge Founds rule will go into effect, but the pool of immigrants who are potentially subject to this rule is very narrow. 

The rule only applies to immigrants who are in the process of adjusting their current status from a temporary to a permanent lawful immigration status and excludes most of the lawful immigration populations such as Legal Permanent Aliens, Asylees, Refugees, Special Immigrant Juveniles (who can claim a rightful separation from their immigrant parents due to domestic violence, neglect or abandonment), VAWA and U visa holders as well as victims of human trafficking who have an open criminal case against their perpetrators. 

Almost all minors under the age of 21 are not impacted by this rule and certainly no child on public benefits—US-born or otherwise—could cause any parent to be subject to this rule. 

Please visit this link for more details.

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