ODE History (Where we’ve been)
After a decade of dedication, organizing, advocacy, and strategic partnership efforts from Doris Estremera, Dr. Jei Africa, Louise Rogers, and our very own Pride Initiative and larger community, this landmark celebrated its 2017 opening by hanging the LGBTQ+ Pride flag on El Camino Real. Which MHSA funded site is this in reference to?
The Pride Center
The Parent Project is a prevention and early intervention program provided in Spanish and English and offered in both virtual and in-person options. This program provides parents and caregivers with culturally and linguistically program tools and skills to prevent and/or reduce destructive behaviors in adolescent youth and/or children. This program was introduced in the year _________, making it the longest running program in ODE!
2010
What is ODE mantra related to ODE staff, whether an individual is temporary or permanent?
Once ODE Always ODE!
For over a decade, LC’s “Sana Sana Colita de Rana” event has promoted health and wellness among our Latino/a/x community in SMC. Fast forward to today, this annual event has been insurmountable in decreasing stigma, educating and empowering our marginalized communities, supporting wellness and recovery, all while building culturally responsive care. In what year was this event introduced?
2013
How many language providers does BHRS work with to support with translation & interpretation services? ***50 Bonus points if you can name SMC's designated threshold languages?***
4 providers (CLI, Excel, Voyce & AvantPage)
Spanish, Tagalog, Chinese
In 2026, our amazing leader and director, Dr. Maria Lorente-Foresti, was inducted into ____________ for her tireless work in community mental health. In addition, our “glue” of ODE was nominated for which award in 2025?
The San Mateo County Women’s Hall of Fame
Camille - Public Service/Extra Mile Award
In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Health Ambassador program stepped up to support the community in a plethora of ways. Please provide one example of their efforts.
Hosted several online events in Spanish, such as “Familia y Bienestar Durante COVID-19” (Family and Wellness during COVID-19)
Assisted individuals in connecting to services and providing information and support during vaccination events.
Adapted trainings, events, and courses to virtual platforms with the implementation of language interpretation.
The Photovoice program is a fundamental tool in supporting the San Mateo County community, our clients, and BHRS staff, as it expands the definition of recovery and reduces stigma, thus allowing participants to share their experiences while advocating for others. 2025 was a notable year for photovoice. We re-launched the program, implemented Spanish sessions and Photovoice Pop-up's, resulting for the completion of 93 total Photovoices. Can you name 2 session themes (out of 7), and one Pop-Up theme? ***50 BONUS POINTS if you can name which series completed the most Photovoices in ODE history!!!***
Housing
Pride Pop-Up
Health Ambassador Youth
Wellness
Housing Pop-Up
Hispanic Heritage SPANISH
Health Ambassador Program SPANISH – 26 photovoices completed!!!!
Please name 1 of the 6 ODE values. ***100 bonus points if you can name all 6***
Personal and Professional Growth
Open Communication & Transparency
Deep Appreciation
Strategic Growth
Accountability
Humility
In 2023, Kai and Frances developed “Meet and Greet” presentations, designed to inform the BHRS workforce of upcoming changes to the MCOD action plan as well as gauging where we are as an organization in regard to equity-based barriers and now trauma informed practices. Can you name 3 of the 8 Meet and Greet topics?
BHRS DEIB Checklist
Photovoice
Parent Project
Policy A-44
Language Access – CLAS
What is ODE?
Health Equity Initiatives
Since the formation of the current Workforce, Education, and Training (WET) team, several initiatives have been launched to strengthen workforce development and support staff and clinical trainees. Which of the following initiatives were created as part of these efforts (identify 4 of the 6).
A virtual reality “Day in the Life of BHRS” simulation lab for new hires
The creation of a BHRS-wide training calendar for staff trainings
The development of an Internship/Practicum Portal that streamlines how students apply to BHRS placement sites and how site supervisors review applicants
A BHRS-branded coffee rewards program that gives staff free espresso after completing trainings
A guide to help teams understand how to access and use their team training budgets
Didactic Calendar for clinical students to ensure they receive foundational knowledge to support the people we serve
2) The creation of a BHRS-wide training calendar for staff trainings
3)The development of an Internship/Practicum Portal that streamlines how students apply to BHRS placement sites and how site supervisors review applicants
5) A guide to help teams understand how to access and use their team training budgets
6) A Didactic Calendar for clinical students to ensure they receive foundational knowledge to support the people we serve
Can you name 3 of the ODE’s Cultural Humility agreements? *** 50 Bonus points if you can name 5***
Listen as if the speaker is wise; listen to understand
Practice "I" statements when speaking
Okay to respectfully disagree
Take risks
No pressure to speak
Be disciplined about not making assumptions
No blaming, no shaming
Confidentiality if stories are shared
Courage to interrupt if something is going amiss or being left unsaid: Make the invisible visible
Voices, thoughts, ideas, experiences welcome
Pay attention to what moves you: Use Oops and Ouch
Be Sensitive Be Brave (BSBB) offers two free foundational workshops on Mental Health and Suicide Prevention that weave culture and diversity into every session. Since joining the ODE, the curriculum has been culturally and linguistically adapted for Chinese, Filipino/Tagalog, and Tongan communities. We are currently expanding our reach with new adaptations—can you guess which ones (2)?
Black/African American and Middle School adaptions
The Health Ambassador Program (HAP) is a mobile outreach office for BHRS services and a direct bridge between the San Mateo County community and the pathway to recovery and whole-person wellness.
HAP supports:
________ improvement
________ and ______ about BHRS services
________ pathway development into behavioral health careers
HAP is born in China, the Philippines, and several Latin American countries, and have lived in the United States and San Mateo County for over 15 years. Some of us were born in the USA to immigrant parents and identify as Latine, Afro-Latine, African American, Caucasian, Asian, and multiracial. We speak Chinese, Spanish, Tagalog, English, and the Indigenous Zapotec language.
***100 Bonus Points to fill in the blanks***
HAP represents the ____, _____, and ______ diversity that the BHSA Plan identifies as a priority.
HAP supports:
System improvement
Outreach and education about BHRS services
Workforce pathway development into behavioral health careers
BONUS: HAP represents the racial, cultural, and linguistic diversity that the BHSA Plan identifies as a priority.
Name 1 way the ODE internship program and 1 way the ODE interns strengthen us as a team!
Open ended, but here are some insights from Stacy....
Fresh Perspectives: Interns bring current industry insights and lived experiences that keep our work culturally relevant and innovative.
Strategic Growth: Their contributions directly inform our SOW, KPIs, and Kaizen efforts, ensuring our data remains grounded and forward-thinking.
Capacity & Pipeline: The program expands our clinical reach today while building a sustainable talent pipeline for the future.
Team Vitality: Their curiosity challenges complacency, reinforces our "why," and helps us stay adaptive to the needs of students and early-career clinicians.
Lasting Impact: By fostering change from within, the program ensures our System of Care remains purpose-driven and positioned for long-term success.