Tag Archives: bhrs

Clara Boyden Named as Deputy Director Alcohol & Other Drug Services 

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Clara Boyden has been named to serve as the first Deputy Director for BHRS Alcohol & Other Drug (AOD) Services. 

AOD programs and services are critical to meet the needs of the BHRS community and this is a significant step in providing integrated behavioral health service at all levels. 

Clara first joined the County of San Mateo in 1998 in the Health Department’s Tobacco Prevention Program in the Health Education Unit.  Since then, Clara she has held a number of roles within Health and the Human Services Agency (HSA), including HSA’s Planning and Evaluation Unit.   

Clara is a tireless advocate for individuals struggling with substance use disorders and people in recovery.  Read more about Clara in this “Wellness Matters” article.

New System Expands Services and Access to Care

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Since launching the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC ODS) pilot in San Mateo County in February 2017, BHRS data has shown a 140% increase in the number of unique Medi-Cal beneficiaries served  annually by the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) provider network  – from 516 people in 2016 to 1,245 people in 2018.  DMC services billed to the State have also increased 206% since implementation.  This increase is due in part, to the increase in the number of certified DMC  providers, from four in 2016 to twenty-four certified DMC providers currently. 

What is the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System? 

The Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System (DMC-ODS) is a pilot program which expands the services that can be provided to Medi-Cal beneficiaries under the Drug Medi-Cal benefit that were not previously covered.  Important new services include:  residential treatment, recovery support services, case management, and medication assisted treatment services.  When combined with the original DMC services (outpatient services, intensive outpatient, and opioid treatment services), a comprehensive substance use disorder benefit is now available.  Through these services, our aim is to improve access and timeliness to care,  enhance our client’s experience of care, and improve overall client health and wellness.    

Read more on how BHRS will continue serving and expanding treatment options and quality of care through this system, click here.

Recovery Happens: Real Stories – Real People

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The sharing of a personal story can be self-reflective, educational, de-stigmatizing and incredibly empowering. During Recovery Month, we share stories of hope, resilience and recovery from those who have experienced substance use and/or mental health conditions. These individuals share their stories with the hope that others will be inspired to seek help and join them on the path to recovery. 

This overall sense of low self-worth was the perfect combination to lead me toward becoming an addict. Through addiction, I lost myself for years. Using drugs helped me numb my feelings and emotions for most of my adult life... (Melissa)

This life I built over the course of four decades collapsed all at once. Like one big tower, my life came crashing down. The trigger: the demise of a relationship I was in. I found myself looking at a life without love, without the family I helped create, without a job, no place to live, and so forth. I felt I had outlived my usefulness and was too old to rebuild. So, I decided to go for the permanent fix and tried really, really hard to kill myself... (William)

Click here to read the inspiring personal stories of local residents who have experienced mental health and substance use issues.

NAMI Walk 2019

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Join the effort to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), raise awareness about the importance of good mental health and have fun in the process!

On September 21st, community members, volunteers and mental health advocates from around the Bay Area will walk together to support NAMI, their programs, and their mission to provide support, education, and advocacy to the mental health community.

SIGN UP to walk or support a team by making a donation to a team member listed on the ROSTER here.

BHRS-Nami-Walks-2019-Flyer-EnglishDownload
BHRS-Nami-Walks-2019-Flyer-SpanishDownload

Lived Experience Academy Starts October 3

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Former LEA graduates and facilitators

Do you or someone you know have an empowering story to share?

The Lived Experience Academy, starting again next month, trains individuals who have experienced mental health and/or substance abuse challenges to share personal stories that make a difference, help reduce stigma, improve the BHRS services and develop leadership skills. 

Individuals in the program learn how to present stories of recovery in a way that inspires others and helps improve the County’s behavioral health services and the lives of San Mateo County clients and family members.

Apply by September 16, 2019. 

For more information or to apply, contact: Lee Harrison at (650) 372-6118, leharrison@smcgov.org or Jairo Wilches at (650) 573-2890,   jwilches@smcgov.org from the BHRS Office of Consumer & Family Affairs.

Download the flier.

Recovery Month Art Show Opens

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Art from previous Recovery Month shows.

Be sure to stop by and enjoy some of the art on display in this month’s Recovery Month Art Show.

The beautiful art pieces are available for viewing from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day until September 30th.

Art Show
400 County Center, Caldwell Gallery
Redwood City, CA 

You can find a full list of the month’s events on our Recovery Month webpage.

Keep Getting the Help You Need

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In a new media outreach campaign, county officials aim to make it clear that no changes have been made at this time to “public charge” definitions as it relates to immigrants and immigration status. In fact, county officials strongly encourage all clients and patients to continue getting the help they need by accessing healthcare, food and housing services whenever necessary.

Last year, the federal government put forth a proposal that could significantly affect how immigration officials determine whether or not an immigrant is primarily dependent on government assistance.

Several lead organizations in San Mateo County including the Health and Human Services Agency, Health Plan of San Mateo, the Department of Housing, the Office of Community Affairs and the Legal Aid Society of San Mateo County have joined together to ease concerns around “public charge.”

Free legal aid and interpretation services are being offered to help answer any questions about green card applications and immigration-related or public charge issues. Providers are encouraged to connect their clients with this resource.

Download the poster below for more information or print and post in your offices.

PubCharge_Poster_EnglishDownload
PubCharge_Poster_SpanishDownload
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