Category Archives: Office of Diversity & Equity

3/27 – Name Change to Farmworker Appreciation Day

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In solidarity with victims and survivors, ALAS and partners have updated this Friday’s event name to Farmworker’s Appreciation Day.

See more from Dr. Belinda Hernandez Arriaga’s letter to the community.

Event details:
Date: Friday, March 27th, 2026
Time: 5:00PM-8:30PM
Location: Ted Adcock Community Center, Half Moon Bay

Event info:
We stand in solidarity with our local farmworkers – the backbone of our food system and our community. Join us for an evening of reflection, recognition, and collective commitment as we uplift Coastside campesinos and honor their lasting impact and continued role as agents of change.

Rsvp with Sandra@ALASDreams.com

Pacific Islander Initiative Hosts Free Teen Mental Health First Aid

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The Pacific Islander Initiative of San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, in partnership with community collaborators, recently hosted a three-day Teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) Certification Training for youth ages 14–18, creating a space that felt not only educational but deeply meaningful, culturally grounded, and connected. This free, three-part certification series held between February 25th and February 27th equips teens with the knowledge and skills to recognize, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their peers. The energy in the room was inspiring, full of curiosity, courage, and a strong commitment to caring for one another. One moment captured the heart of the evening when a youth participant shared that he attended because his senior passion project focuses on youth mental health, and he was excited to see how the certification would shape both his project and his future goals. Moments like this remind us that when young people are given tools, language, and support, they step into leadership with purpose.

This work is especially important within Pacific Islander communities, where behavioral health disparities, including stigma, underutilization of services, cultural barriers, and delayed access to care, continue to impact families. By increasing mental health literacy and building peer-to-peer support networks, Teen Mental Health First Aid helps ensure youth can recognize concerns early and connect to trusted adults and culturally responsive services, getting care when it is needed, not only when a crisis occurs. More than certification, this training strengthens prevention, reduces stigma, promotes healing, and fosters wellness rooted in community care. It is an investment in a generation that leads with empathy, cultural pride, and the confidence to seek and support mental health care, helping our youth and families live longer, healthier, and more connected lives.

Written by Tia Bell, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

Chinese Health Initiative Co-Chair Inducted Into San Mateo County 2026 Women’s Hall of Fame

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News header-blue gradient   Jan. 15, 2026 For Immediate Release Five Leaders, One Honor: San Mateo County Names 2026 Women’s Hall of Fame Class   Redwood City – Raised by her immigrant mother, Alyson Suzuki learned early how difficult it can be for families to navigate schools and social services when information is not available in their own language or cultural context. Through years of supporting her family and later working in education and social services, she saw firsthand how those barriers can hold families back and limit opportunity. That experience shaped her commitment to changing how systems serve communities. Today, she leads efforts across San Mateo County to strengthen language access and build durable support systems for Asian families and other underserved communities. Suzuki’s efforts will be celebrated on March 6, when she is honored alongside four other inductees in the 2026 class of the San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame. The other honorees include leaders whose work has unfolded in city halls, community organizations and classrooms, as well as two high school students whose initiatives reflect the next generation of civic leadership. They are Andrea Jones, whose career centers on advancing the well-being of children and families; Terry Nagel, a community leader, former mayor and tireless volunteer in Burlingame; and two high school seniors, Danika Gonzalez Johnston of Half Moon Bay High and Amani Shroff of Carlmont High. Read More   Want to read more articles? View our Newsroom   Connect with us! facebooktwitterlinkedininstagramyoutubenextdoor   CEO-Comms logo                                         smc_news@smcgov.org

2/21- 2026 Black History Month Educational Experience

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Mark your calendars! African American Community Initiative (AACI) is hosting their 2026 Black History Month celebration! This year’s event will be an educational experience: a tour of the Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center in Redwood City. 

Registration is required for this event. See more info below. 

Date: Sat, 2/21/26
Time: 12:00PM- 3:00PM PST
Location: Domini Hoskins Black History Museum & Learning Center (890 Jefferson Ave, Redwood City)
Contact: Dee Pennix at AACIInitiative@gmail.com

Media Notice: 

This event will have photography and videography. Your entrance into the event area constitutes your full consent to being filmed and photographed by the County of San Mateo. The County of San Mateo reserves the right to use any photography or film taken in the event area
without providing compensation to you. Such use by County may include, but is not limited to, postings to social media or websites, and/or use in promotional or informational materials in any medium.

You agree to release and discharge the County of San Mateo, its agents, representatives, assigns, and licensees from all claims, demands, and liabilities arising out of or in connection with the use of your likeness.

Alternatively, if you wish to participate/attend the event, but do not wish to have your photograph used in accordance with the above notice, please contact an Event Organizer. 

Registration Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2026BHM

About AACI:

The mission of the African American Community Initiative is to become a known resource for African American Community members facing challenges with finding and utilizing mental health services, while addressing inequalities faced by African Americans in our county.  Our vision is to build a community driven support system for reducing mental health and substance use treatment disparities, and the stigma of mental illness.
 
Learn more about their work here. 

The Health Ambassador Program Through Photovoice | Las Voces de Programa Embajador de Salud a Través de FotoVoz 

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From November 3 to November 20, the Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) hosted a powerful and deeply reflective Photovoice series honoring the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of longstanding Health Ambassadors. Designed as both a space for healing and a platform for storytelling, the series brought together BHRS Health Ambassadors across generations to uplift community narratives rooted in resilience, service, and collective care. 

The series was facilitated by community partner and Parent Project facilitator José Luis Aguirre of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office Community Alliance to Recognize Our Neighborhoods (CARON), alongside Brenda Nunez, ODE Diversity and Equity Council co-chair and former Health Ambassador Youth Lead. Together, they fostered a supportive, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed learning environment where ambassadors could reflect and share their stories with authenticity. 

This Photovoice series held special significance as it marked the culmination of the Fall 2025 Health Ambassador Program (HAP) cohort and served as a meaningful lead-up to the HAP Graduation and 10-Year Celebration. Spanish-speaking Health Ambassadors from multiple generations closed out their HAP training by creating Photovoice projects that reflected their lived experiences, leadership journeys, and long-standing commitment to their communities and to HAP. 

The series consisted of four interactive classes that introduced participants to the purpose and process of Photovoice, emphasized collaboration, and supported ambassadors in developing visual narratives that honored both personal and collective experiences. Ambassadors reflected on two guiding prompts: “How has becoming a Health Ambassador impacted your life?” and “How has what you have learned as a Health Ambassador impacted the lives of your loved ones, your community, and BHRS?” 

Through these reflections, ambassadors shared powerful stories rooted in healing, resilience, and service. Many of the Photovoices represented more than a decade of dedication to the BHRS Health Ambassador Program. The series reached a milestone, with 25 ambassadors contributing to 26 completed Photovoice projects, highlighting the depth and intergenerational strength of HAP. 

On November 20, ambassadors presented their Photovoices to fellow Health Ambassadors, BHRS ODE staff, and loved ones. These projects were later displayed on December 12 at the HAP Graduation and 10-Year Celebration, where over 200 attendees viewed the Photovoices in both Spanish and English. 

This impactful series was made possible through the leadership of the Health Ambassadors; Charo Martinez, HAP Coordinator; Maria Martinez, HAP Lead; Nicoletta Kelleher, ODE Photovoice Coordinator; and facilitators Brenda Nunez and José Luis Aguirre with CARON. The Health Ambassador Program serves as a vital bridge between BHRS and the diverse communities of San Mateo County, providing trusted information, compassion, and culturally responsive, trauma-informed support. We extend our deepest gratitude to our Health Ambassadors for their unwavering dedication and commitment to community healing and health equity. 

Las Voces de HAP a Través de FotoVoz 

Del 3 al 20 de noviembre, la Oficina de Diversidad y Equidad (ODE) de Servicios de Salud Conductual y Recuperación (BHRS) llevó a cabo una poderosa y profundamente reflexiva serie de FotoVoz, honrando las voces, el liderazgo y las experiencias vividas de las Embajadoras de Salud con una larga trayectoria. Diseñada como un espacio de sanación y una plataforma para contar historias, la serie reunió a BHRS Embajadoras de Salud de distintas generaciones para resaltar narrativas comunitarias basadas en la resiliencia, el servicio y el cuidado colectivo. 

La serie fue facilitada por el facilitador de Parent Project, José Luis Aguirre, de la Alianza Comunitaria para Reconocer Nuestros Vecindarios (CARON) de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de San Mateo, junto con Brenda Nunez, copresidenta del Consejo de Diversidad y Equidad de ODE y ex Líder del Programa de Embajador de Salud para Jóvenes. Ambos, crearon un entorno de aprendizaje solidario, culturalmente receptivo y con enfoque informado en el trauma, donde los embajadores pudieron reflexionar y compartir con autenticidad. 

Esta serie de FotoVoz tuvo un significado especial al marcar el cierre de la generación de Otoño 2025 del Programa Embajador de Salud (HAP) y servir como antesala de la Graduación de HAP y la Celebración de sus 10 Años. Embajador@s de habla hispana, de múltiples generaciones, concluyeron su capacitación creando proyectos de FotoVoz que reflejaron sus experiencias vividas, sus trayectorias de liderazgo y su compromiso duradero con sus comunidades y con HAP. 

La serie consistió en cuatro clases interactivas que presentaron el propósito y el proceso del FotoVoz, fomentaron la colaboración y apoyaron a l@s embajador@s en el desarrollo de narrativas visuales que honraron experiencias tanto personales como colectivas. Las reflexiones se guiaron por dos preguntas: ¿Cómo ha impactado tu vida el convertirte en Embajad@r de Salud? y ¿Cómo ha impactado lo que has aprendido como Embajad@r de Salud a tus seres queridos, tu comunidad y a BHRS? 

A través de estas reflexiones, los embajadores compartieron historias poderosas de sanación, resiliencia y servicio. Muchas de las obras representaron más de una década de dedicación al Programa Embajador de Salud de BHRS. La serie alcanzó un logro importante, con 25 embajador@s que crearon 26 proyectos FotoVoz, demostrando la profundidad y fortaleza intergeneracional de HAP. 

El 20 de noviembre, los embajadores presentaron sus FotoVoces a otros Embajador@s de Salud, personal de BHRS ODE y seres queridos. Posteriormente, el 12 de diciembre, los proyectos se exhibieron durante la Graduación de HAP y Celebración de los 10 Años, donde más de 200 asistentes los apreciaron en español e inglés. 

Esta serie fue posible gracias al liderazgo de los Embajadores de Salud y de Charo Martinez, Coordinadora de HAP; Maria Martinez, Líder de HAP; Nicoletta Kelleher, Coordinadora de Photovoice de ODE; y las facilitadoras Brenda Nunez y José Luis Aguirre con CARON. El Programa Embajador de Salud continúa siendo un puente vital entre BHRS y las diversas comunidades del Condado de San Mateo, brindando información confiable, compasión y apoyo culturalmente receptivo e informado en el trauma. Expresamos nuestro más profundo agradecimiento a los Embajadores de Salud por su compromiso constante con la sanación comunitaria y la equidad en salud.

Celebrating 100 Messengers of Hope at the BHRS Health Ambassador Graduation

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On December 12, 2025, San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) celebrated a major milestone at the BHRS Health Ambassador Program (HAP) graduation. Guided by the theme “10 Years of Connection, Trust, and Healing — 100 Messengers of Hope,” the event honored a decade of community-led impact and the largest graduating class in the program’s history.

More than 200 community members, clients, partners, and BHRS staff gathered to celebrate this achievement. With the addition of this cohort, the Health Ambassador Program has surpassed 100 graduates—each one a trusted messenger of hope who bridges systems and communities. Health Ambassadors support individuals, families, and the behavioral health workforce by sharing culturally responsive information, expanding awareness of services, strengthening pathways into behavioral health careers, and connecting people to care throughout San Mateo County.

Data from the Health Ambassador Program year-end report, fiscal year 24-25, reinforces what was felt throughout the celebration. Health Ambassadors consistently report increased confidence, deeper knowledge of behavioral health, and a greater ability to support others in navigating care. Ambassadors most frequently connect people to BHRS clinics and trusted community-based organizations, settings known for accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and community trust. Each Ambassador represents countless conversations, referrals, and moments of support that strengthen the county’s behavioral health ecosystem.

For ten years, the Health Ambassador Program has centered lived experience, cultural humility, and community voice—empowering participants to develop leadership skills, reduce stigma, advocate for wellness, and foster healing through connection. As systems continue to evolve, Health Ambassadors remain essential partners in behavioral health transformation, offering early support, promoting dignity, and ensuring care is navigated with understanding and compassion.

Congratulations to the newest class of BHRS Health Ambassadors and thank you to all who have been part of this ten-year journey. Your voices matter. Your leadership matters. And your impact continues to grow—rippling hope, trust, and healing throughout our communities.

Hispanic Heritage Photovoices Displayed at Sana Sana Colita de Rana Event

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Beginning on September 22nd and finishing on October 20th, the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity launched their 4-part Hispanic Heritage Photovoice series. This series celebrates Hispanic Heritage month by sharing how one’s family traditions, stories, and/or values connect an individual to their Hispanic heritage. This Photovoice series was particularly impactful because it was our first Spanish Photovoice since the re-launch of Photovoice in 2025. This series was facilitated by our longstanding community partner, Jose Luis Aguirre, who also facilitates our Spanish Parent Project courses. In addition, this series was very important for our Health Ambassador Program as it served as the final course (5 out of the 11 training offerings) for our prospective Health Ambassadors to become official Health Ambassadors. During graduation, we had family guests join and view the final Photovoices.

Now more than ever, it is vital that we celebrate Hispanic Heritage and culture to honor the importance that cultural values and identity plays in one’s behavioral health. For this reason, on Saturday, November 15th, we displayed these Photovoices at our 12th annual Sana Sana Colita de Rana event hosted by our BHRS ODE Health Equity Initiative, Latino/a/x Collaborative. Translated in English and Spanish, the Photovoices successfully promoted the Latino/a/x Collaborative’s mission to enhance health and wellness within the Latino/a/x community in San Mateo County. These final projects were displayed at the event, amplifying Hispanic Heritage while decreasing the stigma associated with seeking behavioral and recovery services and sharing lived experiences.

Written by Nicoletta Kelleher (she/her), BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

18th Annual Housing Hero

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On Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, the San Mateo County Change Housing Committee hosted the 18th Annual Housing Hero Awards at Redwood Shores Library. Led by Behavioral and Recovery Services(BHRS)’ Kesley Dattilo, Mariana Rocha, and recently retired, Lee Harrison, this event was held to honor the individuals and teams that tirelessly to support our San Mateo County community members in obtaining and maintaining stable housing during their recovery journeys.  

The BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) had the great pleasure of being a part of this event by providing live Spanish interpretation through interpretation devices, provided by Excel. In addition, we displayed our Housing Photovoices in order to amplify the importance that housing plays in one’s behavioral health recovery. Our Photovoice participants, Jo Padilla, Ivy Clark, and Cynthia Castro came to support the event and see their final Photovoice projects on display. Ivy Clark shared her lived experience as it relates to navigating housing with a substance use condition as described in her Photovoice project. Along with our Photovoice Housing participants, we were joined by our previous Housing Photovoice facilitator, Lee Harrison as well as our longstanding ODE Health Ambassador and Housing Photovoice co-facilitator, John Butler. John shared some insights around the power of Photovoice and the impact stable housing has had on his own wellness and recovery. 

The Photovoice program hosted a Photovoice Pop-Up booth in both Spanish and English. This Photovoice Pop-Up served to recognize housing stability and its importance in one’s journey to recovery from co-occurring substance use, mental health and primary health conditions. Attendees were asked to answer the prompts “How does stable housing enhance one’s recovery?” and “What role does housing play in one’s wellness?” The pop-up intended to capture the person behind the story, printing their photo on the spot and supporting them in using their voice to share their stories on paper. This allowed for the San Mateo County community to see firsthand how important housing is to individuals in their journey to recovery, reminding all of us that real people have real needs when it comes to stable housing. We would like to thank the contributors of the Housing Hero Awards for taking the time to 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 issues. 

We extend our congratulations the honorees who were awarded for their exceptional leadership in providing and/or maintaining housing for San Mateo County residents with co-occurring issues include:  

  • Andrea Carrara, Housing Specialist of Mental Health Association of San Mateo County 
  • Kimberly Cotton, Quality Assurance Manager of Mental Health Association of San Mateo County 
  • Roni DeLeon, Former Community Director at Alta Housing 
  • Stacy Townsend and Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, Housing Program 
  • The Bridges to Wellness Case Management Team  
  • Lee Harrison- The Honorable Carole Groom Housing Leadership Award 

At the Office of Diversity and Equity, we would like to recognize and thank all of the important individuals who were involved in putting this event together from the Change Agent Housing Committee (Housing Heros Committee) for their outstanding efforts in planning this event, and including the Office of Diversity and Equity’s Photovoice program and Language Access Services (LAS) to be included in this event. Many thanks to…  

  • Brooke Stacey of Human Services Agency (H.S.A.) 
  • Faith Garcia of Housing Authority 
  • Gini Lilani of Caminar 
  • Lee Harrison (community member – retired from BHRS) 
  • Mariana Rocha of BHRS 
  • Terrell Fortune of BHRS 
  • Theresa Cossman of Abode 
  • Zachary Comtois of BHRS 
  • Kelsey Dattilo of BHRS 
  • Georgia Peterson of MHA (Mental Health Association) 
  • Gozel Kulieva of Healthcare for the Homeless/Farmworkers Health Program 

Lastly, the planning committee would like to thank BHRS ODE, Voices of Recovery, Samaritan House and Shelldance Gardens.  

To learn more about Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Housing Services, please contact Kelsey Dattilo at kdattilo@smcgov.org and Mariana Rocha at mrocha@smcgov.org. 

Interfaith National Day of Prayer Ignites Healing and Hope

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San Mateo County (SMC) Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) held its 10th annual Interfaith National Day of Prayer on October 11, 2025. This event brought together community and faith leaders from diverse traditions to promote healing, unity, and collective well-being across all spiritual and religious beliefs.

The event opened with a land acknowledgment by the Native and Indigenous Peoples Initiative (NIPI) and an ancestral blessing by Ramona Laughing Brook Webb. Elder Pam Ward Pious, Co-Chair of the Spirituality Initiative, shared her lived experience and poetry on the power of faith and resilience. Reverend Katie Goetz spoke about the day’s meaning and her congregation’s inclusive welcome message.

Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti shared insights on the connection between spirituality and healing, highlighting how BHRS supports spiritual well-being through its policies and Health Equity Initiatives. Yolanda Ramirez, from the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA), led a bilingual reading of the Serenity Prayer. Dr. Tia Bell closed with a guided meditation centering on peace and renewal.

A particularly moving part of the program was when courageous community members shared how faith has guided their recovery and wellness journeys. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sam, Ebony, Riley, and Armando for their openness, hope, and resilience, which illuminated the path of healing and inspired others through faith and connection.

The SMC Interfaith National Day of Prayer reminded us that healing and hope strengthen when we unite in compassion and collective strength.

Written by Dr. Tia Bell, BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity

SAVE THE DATE: 11/20- 2025 Transgender Day of Remembrance

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Please save the date for the 2025 Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on 11/20/25 from 5:30PM-7:30PM at South San Francisco’s Park and Recreation Center (33 Arroyo Dr, SSF). More details about how to RSVP coming soon. 

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.

TDOR 2025 FlyerDownload
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