The Parent Project is a free, 12-week course designed for parents and caregivers with adolescents who display challenging behaviors. Offered in both English and Spanish, the classes teach both prevention and intervention strategies that focus on the following areas: • Dealing with unhealthy and/or dangerous behaviors in teens • Strengthening family relationships
Participants gain access to resources and other support systems available in their communities, and also practice effective parenting skills that include: • Developing appropriate family structure • Preventing or ceasing the use of alcohol, drugs and tobacco • Enhancing communication skills • Improving grades and school attendance
On Thursday, April 27th, 2023, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS)hosted the all-staff mandatory Working Effectively with Limited English Proficient Clients & Interpreters in the Behavioral Health Setting training in person for the first time in 3 years! This learning opportunity is integral in engaging workforce members in the current utilization, needs, and importance of interpretation services offered by BHRS. Our language access services assist in reducing the risk of misunderstanding and misdiagnosis and supporting the building of a strong therapeutic alliance with those we serve.
This training was also the last training facilitated by our longtime partner and collaborator Alejandra Siroka of Language Alchemy. Alejandra has worked with BHRS since 2009 to advance language access services by supporting our staff in working with diverse clients and utilizing interpretation services appropriately with a focus on cultural humility. Her work has been essential in our advancement of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS), shaping our BHRS culture to always strive for more equitable services and practices. In addition to providing our staff with practical tools, scenarios, and a historical perspective on the use of interpreters, Alejandra helped us to look deeper into the meaning of culture and how it shapes our communication styles and thought patterns. Thanks to her collaboration with the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE), this training was continuously tailored and focused on the specific needs and demographics of San Mateo County. Additionally, in 2018, she supported ODE with the creation of training videos that are the first of their kind nationally and exemplify the use of interpreters specifically in behavioral health settings. While we’re incredibly sad to lose Alejandra as a facilitator, we’re so excited for the next chapter in her journey. Alejandra is shifting to support broader communication needs via hosting a podcast and working on a book that will be published in 2024 focused on compassionate communication!
For BHRS, this training will continue to be offered twice a year and required as part of our cultural competence trainings. Our next training is expected to be offered in Fall 2023; more information will be shared as specifics are confirmed.
Please join us in wishing her much success in her future endeavors!
The Archdiocese of San Francisco, Coastside Interfaith Community, City of Half Moon Bay, County of San Mateo, Chamber of Commerce, and other community-based organizations, have organized a few victim remembrance events that we’d like to announce to you now.
• This Friday, January 27, at 5:00 p.m., please join us at Mac Dutra Plaza, 504 Main Street, for a candlelight vigil ceremony to honor, remember, and pay tribute to the victims of the mass shooting incident. The event’s program will include song and prayer. Spanish, Mandarin, and ASL interpretation will be provided.
• On Tuesday, January 31, at 4:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Pillar Church and the Coastside Interfaith Community will host a memorial service at the Boys & Girl Club Event Center at 530 Kelly Avenue. This service will include prayers and healing words from the interfaith leaders in remembrance of the victims and hope for the future. Spanish, Mandarin, and ASL interpretation will be provided.
• Immediately following the memorial service, a candlelight processional walk will occur down Kelly Avenue, past the Mac Dutra Plaza memorial, and down Main Street to the I.D.E.S. Hall.
• At 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 31, at the I.D.E.S. Hall, 735 Main Street, the City, County, and Chamber of Commerce would like to invite you to a Community Gathering for dinner and fellowship as we begin to move forward as a community. If you’d like to join us for the gathering, please register here (https://www.eventbrite.com/…/victim-remembrance…) so we can ensure we are able to host everyone appropriately.
The memorial at Mac Dutra Plaza continues to be available for anyone who wishes to grieve separately or on their own. This event has affected all of us differently. Mental Health continues to be a struggle for many, and we want to remind everyone, especially during this time, that there are resources available. The City’s CARES Team is available 7 days a week, 8:00 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. by calling 988 or 650-713-5467 and the County of San Mateo Crisis Response Team is also available to provide mental health resources by calling 800-686-0101.
Special thanks to Julio Escobar from the Archdiocese of San Francisco – Restorative Justice Ministry for planning and organizing these events for the victims and families. In addition to the events listed above, the Archdiocese will be holding a site blessing ceremony with Archbishop Cordileone on Friday afternoon.
If you or a loved one are in need of mental health support visit here.
San Mateo county has been deeply impacted by yesterday’s events. Our hearts go out to all impacted in our communities. We want you to know that BHRS is here to provide support, healing, and resources.
I want to share important information for our communities.
Community Healing Space TODAY at 4:30. A space for YOUTH to grieve, mourn, love, process and heal in response to violence occurred in the HMB community
As we collectively mourn the loss of life in Half Moon Bay, the County of San Mateo is providing mental health counselors and other support to the community.
The Crisis Response Team (CRT) from Behavioral Health and Recovery Services has been meeting with families in the reunification center and other locations in Half Moon Bay.
CRT staff are trained in crisis response, suicide prevention, and other mental health interventions. They provide individual and group psychological first aid, grief support counseling, connection to needed ongoing services and crisis intervention counseling free of charge to residents in need.
The County is also working with the City of Half Moon Bay and local agencies to provide temporary housing, meals and other services to those directly impacted by the shootings.
The City of Half Moon Bay advises that financial donations are being accepted by ALAS (Ayudando Latinos A Sonar) and can be made at https://www.alasdreams.com/.
Please note all questions specifically regarding Monday’s shooting – the investigation, court proceedings and other matters – should be directed to the District Attorney’s Office.
This program is a mainly do-it-yourself opportunity for anyone with an email, phone and internet access, to improve their personal finance knowledge and skills. While anyone can sign up and participate, only income-qualified San Mateo County residents are eligible to earn cash incentives (up to $1,100.00) for work completed within the program.
This year’s San Mateo County Pride celebration will take place on Saturday,June 11th,from 11 am to 5 pm at San Mateo Central Park and will have us dancing to amazing musical groups and the tunes of DJ China G. while enjoying the numerous booths filled with resources, support, and information. Also, get ready for our spectacular MC,Jesús U. BettaWork, voted Best Comic by the Bay Area Reporter’s annual Besties Awards in 2018 and 2020. However, that’s not all, this year’s event will hold a children’s space, a space for elders, food trucks, and speakers who have supported the LGBTQ+ community.
The PRIDE Celebration is proud to promote health and wellness among the LGBTQ+ Community, build a sense of community, provide information about behavioral health services, help individuals in marginalized communities seeking services, and provide a free LGBTQ+ positive, sober environment for San Mateo County. We invite you and your family and friends to this year’s event, where we are sure you will have a day filled with smiles, music, laughter, and connection.
As part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, President Biden and Vice President Harris created the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible households $30 per month off their internet bills.
To deliver maximum cost savings to families, the Biden-Harris Administration has secured commitments from 20 leading internet providers to offer ACP-eligible households a high-speed internet plan for no more than $30 per month. Eligible families who pair their ACP benefit with one of these plans can receive high-speed internet at no cost. Find out if you qualify.
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