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.
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.
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.
📅 We are just 3 weeks away from September Suicide Prevention Month (in addition to Recovery Happens Month)!
San Mateo County is joining statewide and nationwide efforts for the following Suicide Prevention Month (SPM) observances. SPM is one of the best times of the year where we can honor those affected by suicide and inspire action to prevent suicide.
Suicide Prevention Month (all September)
National Suicide Prevention Week (September 7-13)
World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10)
For 2025, San Mateo County and partners are promoting the statewide theme: “Support, Your Way.”
What if suicide prevention could feel human, honest, and self-assured, all while being inclusive of the different ways people can find support. Rather than centering fear, crisis, or clinical language, this theme is about agency, particularly at vulnerable moments when people feel like they have none. It reflects a cultural truth that people want help on their own terms, and flips the understanding of asking for help not as a loss of control—but as a regaining of it.
It’s not about prescribing what help should look like. It’s about 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.
For more info on attending free events, getting involved, or finding support, visit SMCHealth.org/SPM.
*Lastly, to apply for one of our ten $300 mini-grants to fund an event, view application here.*
Thank you for helping prevent suicide and promote wellness in our community!
Taylor Coutts and Sylvia Tang Suicide Prevention Committee Co-Chairs
Walter Ng and Grace Higgs Suicide Prevention Month Planning Committee Co-Chairs
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.
I am excited to announce that in recognition of National Wellness Month, we will be conducting a Photovoice series throughout the month of August and into early September. National Wellness Month reminds us to promote self-care and healthy practice that enhances one’s mental and emotional wellbeing. For this reason, the session will be focused asking participants how they foster wellness for their behavioral health. By sharing stories and photos related to wellness, we emphasize the importance of taking care of oneself just in time for Suicide Prevention month in September.
Sessions will occur from 4:30 to 6:30 pm in-person at 310 Harbor Blvd, Building E, Belmont on August 6th, 13th, 20th and the last session will occur on September 3rd.
To register, interested participants can fill out an application via this link, or contact me via email my at Nkelleher@smcgov.org. If you have any questions or would like to refer any clients or community members, please do not hesitate to reach out to me! We will close the application once we have confirmed a maximum of 10 participants. In order to participate in this series, participants must be committed to attending all 4 sessions.
Hello, we are excited to announce that beginning on Wed, 9/17/25, San Mateo County Sheriffs Office’s Community Alliance to Recognize our Neighborhoods (CARON) will be hosting an in-person Spanish Parent Project class at the Half Moon Bay Library, 620 Correas St., Half Moon Bay. This course is completely free to the community, and includes free childcare and dinner.
If you are interested in registering in this course, please contact the facilitator, José Luis Aguirre via jaguirre@smcgov.org or 650-599-9107.
Interested to give back to your community? Volunteer for the 2025 Pride Celebration happening on Saturday, June 14th! We can use all the help we can get. Volunteer opportunities can include decorating, park monitoring, general set-up, entertainment assistance and more.
We are two weeks away from 2025 May Mental Health Month!
What’s an easy way to let your team and others know that May is Mental Health Month? Promote it with your virtual background! Download them at smchealth.org/post/social-media-0
💚 Event happening next week:
Tues, 4/22: Board of Supervisors proclaim May as Mental Health Month Join us in proclaiming May as Mental Health Month! Show your support by wearing lime green and/or making a public comment. Time: 9:00am – 11:00am Location: 500 County Center Chambers, 1st Fl, Redwood City, CA, 94063 or via Zoom here.
For more event details and our full list of free and public events and mental health resources, visit SMCHealth.org/MHM.
The BHRS ODE Internship Program is designed to provide work opportunities and practical learning experiences for undergraduate and graduate students to enhance their academic learning and expose them to public service at the county level. For the 2025-2026 internship program, we are looking to extend training opportunities to two interns.
All interns will have the opportunity to support the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (across programs) and participate in a Health Equity Initiative. At the end of the internship term, each intern will participate in sharing a presentation with the BHRS ODE staff describing their experience and the work they did during their time as an intern. For each program area, sample tasks are listed below. Please note – some programs may have limited capacity to support students. We make every effort to match the student with their preferred program of interest, yet some programs may not have the capacity to accommodate every request.
Qualifications: Required To be eligible for this program, you must meet the following requirements:
An undergraduate or graduate student enrolled in an accredited college or university. Recent graduates (up to one year after graduation) are also eligible.
Available to work 20 hybrid hours per week. This includes the ability to work from home and at the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (in Belmont, CA) beginning the week of September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026.
NOT a current employee of San Mateo County.
A requirement to work 8-hours in the office weekly and attend mandatory BHRS ODE staff meetings, in person, on the 1st & 3rd Fridaysof each month. (Staff meetings count toward your 8-hour requirement).
Must have reliable transportation
When responding to the supplemental questions in the Survey Monkey application, please share your personal experience using real life examples supported by your work and/or life experiences.
Acceptance of the BHRS ODE internship is contingent upon completing a San Mateo County Human Resource application and passing a criminal background check.
Desired We would strongly prefer a candidate with the following qualities:
Passion for advancing equity, wellness, and recovery for culturally diverse and marginalized communities and our workforce
Personal experience with or knowledge of inequities related to behavioral health
Experience working with culturally diverse and marginalized communities
Multicultural and/or multilingual skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills
Strong organizational and detail-oriented skills
Ability to prioritize time-sensitive assignments
Ability to work well in teams and independently
Ability to offer flexible hours including occasional evenings and weekends
Term and Stipend This BHRS ODE Internship runs from September to June and is paid through a stipend of $14,000 (before taxes) funded by the Mental Health Services Act. Interns must commit to working 20-hours per week for the BHRS ODE division from the week of September 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Interns are required to remain active for the full 20-hours per week in the BHRS ODE internship program and complete the entire term of the agreement. The stipend is considered taxable income.
How to Apply Complete the application and supplemental questions. Only completed applications will be reviewed. If you would like an alternative way to apply or have any accessibility requests, please email HS_BHRS_Internships@smcgov.org for assistance. In addition to completing the application and supplemental questions, please upload your cover letter and resume after the references section below. Applications must be submitted by May 2, 2025. Only completed applications will be reviewed. Please contact us if you do not receive a confirmation that we received your application.
About the County of San Mateo Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) At the County of San Mateo, we take pride in the way our employees bring together their lived experience, diverse backgrounds, and perspectives to serve our community’s needs. The County of San Mateo Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides a broad spectrum of services for children, youth, families, adults, and older adults for the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of behavioral health concerns. The county is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
About the BHRS Office of Diversity & Equity The BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) advances health equity in behavioral health outcomes of marginalized communities throughout the County of San Mateo. BHRS ODE is dedicated to addressing health inequities and stigma in the areas of behavioral health while supporting wellness and recovery. BHRS ODE works to achieve these goals by promoting culturally and trauma-informed practices, which is rooted in principles of social justice. To learn more about BHRS ODE’s work, visit: www.smchealth.org/bhrs/ODE.
You must be logged in to post a comment.