Thanks and So Long

From the Director's Desk

Stephen Kaplan, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Service

This is my last article as your Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services as I will be retiring at the end of September. It has been an honor and privilege to work in and for San Mateo County in service to our BHRS clients, consumers and families. During my tenure I witnessed – often first hand – extraordinary courage, perseverance and optimism in the face of daunting challenges and doing so has inspired and motivated me daily.

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Voices For Recovery

Personal Stories of People in Recovery

During recovery month, we highlight the incredible journey of individuals from all walks of life who have found recovery.  They are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and show that treatment is effective and people do recover.  We hope these stories encourage others to seek help  - and to know that recovery is always possible.

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Paying it Forward in the Recovery Community

Lauren Mascarenhas, Communications Coordinator

The idea of giving back is ubiquitous in the recovery community. In fact, many see the act of helping others with substance use and mental health issues as an essential hallmark of the recovery process. But before a person can start contributing to the recovery of another, they must first find their way to recovery themselves.

Eduardo’s Story

For 22 year old Eduardo Tirado, this came relatively early in life. He started drinking at 13, and had been in and out of juvenile hall, jail and a treatment center by the age of 18. 

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New Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services

Welcome David Young

We are pleased to announced that David A. Young, Ph.D., MPH has joined the San Mateo County Health System as Director of Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, following Stephen Kaplan’s (current Director) retirement on September 30.  

David brings more than 30 years of diverse experience in the behavioral health nonprofit and private sector arenas, including most recently as Chief Clinical Officer for Sagesurfer, a behavioral health technology company. 

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New DUI Court to Increase Public Safety  

Begins September 19

Paula Nannizzi, Health Services Manager

Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, together with San Mateo County Superior Court, District Attorney’s Office, the Private Defender Program and Probation, are currently ramping up to implement a new Driving Under the Influence (DUI) court for second and third time misdemeanor offenders in order to decrease DUI-related traffic accidents, the frequency of repeat offenders and increase public safety. The DUI court will provide this population with a team who can link them to needed treatment and support services which previously, were not provided as a part of the DUI proce

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Farewell Steve Kaplan

BHRS Director to Retire

Clara Boyden, Manager, Alcohol and Other Drug Services | Scott Gruendl, Assistant Director

Steve Kaplan, Director of BHRS will retire on September 30. Steve’s time with San Mateo County have made a significant impact not only on a local level, but also on a broader level. He has accomplished more in twelve years than many achieve in thirty.

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Congratulations Angela Stocker

David Lewis Award

David Lewis was a remarkable man who transformed the recovery community, and East Palo Alto in particular, through his inspiring work with addiction and criminal justice. The San Mateo County Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission presents the David Lewis award to individuals who have made an extraordinary difference in the lives of people with substance use disorders and the San Mateo County community. 

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Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Update

MHSA Three-Year Plan FY 2017-20

Doris Estremera, MHSA Manager

On September 6 the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Recovery Commission (MHSARC) will be voting to close the public comment period on the final piece of the Three-Year Plan, the Annual Update for Fiscal Year 2015-16 program outcomes. 

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Suicide Prevention Committee Takes Action

MHSA Program Highlight

Colin T. Hart, Community Health Planner

Suicide is a public health issue that affects all San Mateo County residents. Suicide can have an effect on family members, friends and the community. These effects are often devastating and can last for long periods of time, yet suicide is preventable. With support from the Mental Health Services Act, the San Mateo County Suicide Prevention Committee provides oversight and direction to suicide prevention efforts in San Mateo County.

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Prevention Training Academy

Community Health Promotion Unit Hosts Substance Use Training Sessions

Katherine Reyes, Program Analyst

San Mateo County Community Health Promotion is hosting the Prevention Training Academy, a program that aims to build the capacity of local organizations to conduct substance use primary prevention work. Attendees learn what they can do to prevent substance use issues in San Mateo County communities through environmental strategies.

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Parent Project Classes

668 Parents Graduated since 2013

Frances Lobos, Parent Project Program Coordinator

The Office of Diversity and Equity’s (ODE) mission is to provide services to many of our underserved populations.  This year, Parent Project® offered its first summer session since 2014! In collaboration with MidPen Housing in San Mateo, the course was offered in Spanish for the apartment complex residents as well as neighboring community members.

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Lived Experience 2.0 Peer & Family Action Summit

October 26

Cardum Harmon, Heart & Soul

The upcoming Lived Experience 2.0 Peer & Family Action Summit will help San Mateo County’s Behavioral Health & Recovery Services (BHRS) chart the path towards expanding the role of peers, consumers and family members in the design and delivery of services.

The summit will shape BHRS’s vision of recovery and wellness by providing valuable information which will be then used to create a plan with concrete recommendations to BHRS.

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Practicing Cultural Humility

Sharing Our Gender Pronouns

Sylvia Tang, Community Health Planner

Since February 2017, Office of Diversity and Equity (ODE) staff have added gender pronouns to our e-mail signatures and started introducing ourselves in meetings with our gender pronouns.

Why is this important?

It is important for us to share our pronouns because we cannot know someone’s pronoun just by knowing their sex or the way a person looks or sounds.  And accurately using a person’s pronoun is a basic way to validate and respect one’s gender identity. 

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Safe and Easy Medicine Disposal

28+ Safe Medicine Disposal Kiosks Throughout San Mateo County

San Mateo County’s Safe Medicine Disposal Program has partnered with the Medication Education & Disposal (MED) Project to provide 28 safe medicine disposal kiosks – and counting – throughout San Mateo County. This program is critical in preventing accidental exposure of medicine to children and pets, keeping our oceans and drinking water clean and curbing the nationwide opioid epidemic.

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Q-Tip for Quality

Quality Improvement Committee Members Wanted

Holly Severson RN, MSN

The Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Quality Improvement Committee (BHRS QIC) is seeking new members. BHRS QIC reviews many aspects of BHRS’s work, reviews policies, provides input to management and oversees the quality of BHRS services.

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Upcoming Events

The next couple of months is jam packed with fun events and educational trainings. Check out the listings below and be sure to check the BHRS Meeting and Events Calendar  for a complete and up-to-date list of events, meetings and trainings.  

September - Recovery Month

San Mateo County will celebrate Recovery Month with a number of fun and informational events throughout September, including a candlelight vigil, a walk of hope and a picnic and resource fair.

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