Tag Archives: Parent Project

Meet our newest Parent Project Facilitators

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Congratulations to our newest ODE Parent Project® facilitators! These 3 individuals completed a week long training in San Jose, honing their facilitation skills and learning various techniques from the creators of the Parent Project®, Ralph Fry and Dr. Roger Morgan. Congratulations and we can’t wait to have you begin teaching in our communities!
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Pictured from L to R: Dr. Roger Morgan, Rocio Lemus, Darryl Stubblefield, Alexi Rosales, and Ralph Fry.
To learn more about our upcoming Parent Project® courses, please visit: http://smchealth.org/bhrs/ode/CommunityEd

Nine New BHRS Health Ambassadors Dedicated to Supporting our Communities

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On September 2, 2015 San Mateo County (SMC) Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) with the Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) was proud to introduce our 9 newest BHRS Health Ambassadors to the Mental Health & Substance Abuse Recovery Commission. The Health Ambassador Program (HAP) was created to: increase community awareness of services available in San Mateo County and help connect individuals to appropriate care and support; reduce the stigma around mental health & substance use issues; improve our communities ability to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health and/or substance use issues and implement social change; foster community support and involvement in BHRS’ vision to improve services; assist communities in practicing prevention and early intervention, leading to healthier and stronger families. To become a BHRS Health Ambassador individuals must complete the ODE Parent Project® and 4 additional ODE community education courses (www.smchealth.org/bhrs/communityed).

HAP grads
Top Row from left to right: Zena Tarasena, Marta Ceron, Franzmarie Lippincott, Steve Kaplan (BHRS Director), Pedro Estrada, Yolanda Ramirez, Mylene Rodriguez
Sitting from left to right: Maria Ines Alfaro Garcia, Marcelina Hernandez, Amada Espinoza, Lourdes Briseno (Highlighted names are our newest HAP recipients)

We are proud of these 9 special individuals who have given their time and energy to increasing their knowledge and worked to support our common goal of helping those with mental health and substance abuse issues.

For further information on BHRS ODE Parent Project classes please contact Maggie Furey at c_mfurey@smcgov.org and for information on BHRS ODE Health Ambassador Program please contact Maria Lorente-Foresti at MLorente-Foresti@smcgov.org.

The Health Ambassador Program is supported by SMC BHRS, ODE & is funded by the voter approved Mental Health Services Act (Prop 63).

Special Feature #3: Promoting Positive Mental Health Outcomes – The Parent Project®

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ODE’s Parent Project® was created specifically for to anyone who cares for a child or adolescent displaying challenging behaviors. The goal is to decrease unhealthy or dangerous behaviors in children and strengthen the relationships within families in a culturally informed manner. It is a free, 12-week course (three hours, once a week) currently offered in both English and Spanish. The program offers childcare and dinner for evening classes.  Since it’s inception in 2013, 439 parents have attend with a graduation rate of 77%.

BHRS knows the crucial role parents play in addressing behavioral issues of adolescents and is committed to providing parents with the skills and education they need “…we are on the ground, in the community, we get to know families and have the privilege of learning their stories and creating effective change… we are about empowering parents…” says Maggie Furey, Program Coordinator.

Enjoy this short video clip and visit ODE’s Community Education webpage to learn more about the Parent Project® and other Community Education programs.

Once a week I am sharing BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) prevention programs through a series of short video clips created by the California Mental Health Services Authority (CalMHSA), funded by MHSA. Check out our previous blog posts and come back next week for Special Feature #4 – Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid!

Seeking Interns for the Office of Diversity and Equity

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Office of Diversity and Equity Internship Program
Applications Due Wednesday, August 12 9AM PST

About the Office of Diversity & Equity
The San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity and Equity(ODE) is dedicated to addressing health disparities, health inequities and stigma in the areas of mental health and substance use, and supporting wellness and recovery among underserved, unserved, and inappropriately served communities in San Mateo County. ODE works to achieve these goals by promoting cultural competence and cultural humility, which are rooted in principles of social justice. To learn more about ODE’s work, visit http://smchealth.org/bhrs/ODE.

About the Internship Program
The ODE Internship Program is designed to provide work opportunities and practical learning experience for undergraduate college and graduate students in order to enhance their academic preparation and expose them to public service at the county level. For the 2015-2016 internship programs, we are looking to hire 4 interns. All interns will have the opportunity to participate in a Health Equity Initiative and intern in one of the four areas:

1. Workforce, Education & Training | Stigma

2. Workforce, Education & Training | Suicide Prevention

3. Mental Health First Aid | Digital Storytelling

4. Parent Project | Health Ambassador Program

For more details and application, visit http://smchealth.org/sites/default/files/docs/AAS/ODEInternshipApplication20152016.pdf.

The Fatherhood Collaborative acknowledges the Office of Diversity & Equity’s Parent Project®

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FC RecognitionThis past weekend the Fatherhood Collaborative of San Mateo County acknowledged Dr. Jei Africa for his leadership in guiding the Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) Office of Diversity & and Equity’s (ODE) Parent Project®. During the event, Senator Jerry Hill and Supervisor Dave Pine recognized the Parent Project® for its work and focus on engaging fathers in ODE courses and taking intentional steps to increase involvement by fathers, uncles, grandfathers and other male figures in children’s lives and in our communities.

This tribute highlights the work of BHRS to engage fathers and father figures in ODE courses, in its diligent work to increase the number of men facilitating our Parent Project® courses, and in currently having 50% of BHRS Health Ambassadors being male role models for our youth, families and communities. To learn more about ODE’s Parent Project® visit www.smchealth.org/ODE

3rd Annual Parent Project Reunion Celebrates in Style

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PPReunion

Last Friday January 23, the Office of Diversity and Equity hosted it’s 3rd Annual Parent Project® Reunion. The Reunion is held each year in January as a way to bring together all graduates of the Parent Project® to celebrate their achievements, reunite with classmates and facilitators, hear about upcoming opportunities, and enjoy a joyous night together! This year’s celebration featured dinner, raffles, speeches from graduates, and a wonderful band from Half Moon Bay led by graduates from Adult Mental Health First Aid and Parent Project®.  The band provided music to listen and dance to throughout the entire evening.

The event was supported by BHRS Director Stephen Kaplan, many of our Health Equity Initiatives (PRIDE, Native American Initiative, Pacific Islander Initiative, Diversity and Equity Council, Filipino Mental Health Initiative, Spirituality Initiative, Latino Collaborative, and African American Community Initiative), and other BHRS Staff. Over 100 parents and children attended this year making it a very memorable night.

One parent who spoke, Mylene Rodriguez, credited graduating from the Parent Project® with opening many doors to help and empower her get back on track to achieving goals for herself and her family.

If you’d like to learn more about upcoming Parent Project® courses beginning in February throughout San Mateo County,  visit our webpage or contact Maggie Furey at c_mfurey@smcgov.org.

San Mateo High School Graduates Largest Class of Parent Project® course to date

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On November 24, in partnership with San Mateo High School and the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE), San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services’ Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) graduated our largest class to date – with 33 parents graduating! A huge thank you to Principal Yvonne Shiu and Parent Involvement Coordinator Nancy Yance Chavez from San Mateo High School. Working together, we were able to provide these parents with information, skills and supports to make the changes they wanted in their homes and school.

ParentProject SMHS

The Parent Project® is an award-winning parent education and support class that teaches parents and caregivers specific prevention and intervention strategies to establish and build a healthy familial relationship. This course meets 3 hours a week for 12 weeks and is offered with dinner, childcare, and all materials included at no cost to the parents. Starting in 2010, ODE has held 26 classes. Since partnering with SMCOE in Fall 2013, 11 different schools throughout San Mateo County have hosted the Parent Project® with five more slated in February 2015. Learn more about the San Mateo County Parent Project.

For more information on upcoming classes in San Mateo County or how to bring a class to your school or community, please contact Maggie Furey at 650-372-3272 or c_mfurey@smcgov.org.

More info: The Parent Project or find a class near you.

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