In the News: San Mateo continues Diversity Task Force plans

The San Mateo Daily Journal recently wrote about the city of San Mateo’s Diversity and Equity Task Force, which is working to increase diversity and inclusion on city boards, commissions, and other organizations:

“Fourteen San Mateo organizations have a representative on the task force to provide recommendations to the council and staff for improvements to equity, diversity and inclusion. Councilmembers Diane Papan and Amourence Lee serve as liaisons. Participating groups include Peninsula Solidarity Cohort, San Mateo Pride Center, San Mateo Union High School District, Samaritan House, PAL Board, Self Help for the Elderly, the Home Association of North Central San Mateo, Peninsula Family Services, the San Mateo Chamber of Commerce, San Mateo Japanese American Community Center, College of San Mateo, Caminar, Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council and the San Mateo-Foster City School Board.”

Caminar is pleased to be part of this important task force. We invite you to read the full article here.

CARF Re-Issues Three-Year Accreditation to Caminar

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The Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has again re-issued accreditation to Caminar for a period of three years for the following services:

  • Community Employment Services: Employment Supports

  • Community Employment Services: Job Development

  • Employment Planning Services

  • Assertive Community Treatment: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults)

  • Case Management/ Services Coordination: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults)

  • Community Integration: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults)

  • Crisis Stabilization: Psychosocial Rehabilitation (Adults)

  • Residential Treatment: Mental Health (Adults)

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of persons served.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows our organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer-review process. It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. 

Surveyors from CARF identified many areas of strength, including:

  • “Exceptionally enthusiastic in the pursuit of excellence and committed to ensuring the wellness of all, the CEO is a great asset to the organization.”

  • “Caminar is commended for the emphasis it places on promoting diversity and services that are culturally and linguistically competent.(…)These beliefs and values serve to advance health equity, improve quality, and eliminate treatment disparities.”

  • “The highly effective Jobs Plus employment programs produce a wide range of employment outcomes that benefit clients.”

  • “Referral sources remarked that they are very confident in the services provided by Caminar staff members, who are clearly focused on and committed to the clients’ wellness and recovery.”

  • “Clients expressed extraordinary gratitude for the services they receive from Caminar. They consistently described specific ways in which the organization’s staff members are supportive of them and have gone above and beyond typical expectations in their delivery of services.”

This accreditation is the result of excellent teamwork and the efforts of many dedicated members of our organization.
 

CAMINAR PLEDGES SUPPORT FOR RACIAL EQUITY

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Caminar is pleased to announce we are a proud signatory of the Nonprofit Racial Equity Pledge.

 A collective of Bay Area nonprofits working towards racial justice, spearheaded by the Silicon Valley Council of Nonprofits (SVCN), crafted this pledge.

 "As members of this community and as nonprofit leaders, we both recognize these inequities and commit to action for racial justice. We pledge to take anti-racist stances in our community, and to incorporate core values of racial equity, inclusion, and diversity in our organizations."

We invite you to sign the pledge here. Both individual and organizational signatories are welcomed.

With gratitude to the SAMCAR Foundation

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Caminar is so very grateful to SAMCAR Foundation for their ongoing support of our services in San Mateo County.  On December 17, 2020, the SAMCAR Foundation Trustees approved Q4 grants to three organizations, including a $3,000 grant to Caminar.  

The San Mateo County Association of REALTORS® Foundation fundraises year-round through online auctions, funding drives, and via online contributions. Members of the SAMCAR Foundation use the donated fund for grants, and members can also make direct contributions to charities. The foundation selects nonprofit organizations that they know will make a positive difference in the quality of life for people throughout San Mateo County, and they also fund scholarships. Valuable infusions of funds from professional groups and trade associations like the SAMCAR Foundation have helped to ensure that more resources are available for Caminar clients. 

In a recent communication, Elmer G. Martinez, Chair of the SAMCAR Foundation, shared:  

“We are proud to be able to assist Caminar with its goal to serve people.”  

Caminar will use SAMCAR’s $3,000 grant to ensure San Mateo County clients are housed, continue to seek care from our licensed professionals, and gain skills for greater wellness and increased independence. With these grant funds, Caminar’s staff members will deliver care to clients in residential facilities, Caminar’s supported housing sites, and sober living homes in San Mateo County.  Longstanding partners like SAMCAR Foundation, which are deeply rooted in the community, are key to Caminar’s success in creating brighter futures for individuals, families, and our communities. 

In a post announcing the Q4 grants, the SAMCAR Foundation wrote: 

“Caminar has a positive reputation and a track record of more than 56 years of success in behavioral health care with their Supported Housing program. Their clients gain access to subsidized rental units and shared housing through partnerships with the Housing Authority and San Mateo County Behavior Health and Recovery Services. Caminar is aligned with the SAMCAR Foundation's vision in terms of meeting urgent housing needs, ensuring affordable rental units are available in San Mateo County and reducing homelessness, poverty and mental illness to raise overall standards of living in local communities.” 

We are honored the SAMCAR Foundation Trustees have once again invested in Caminar and our community. 

Caminar's Perspective on the San Mateo County COVID-19 Recovery Plan

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San Mateo County, in response to the COVID-19 crisis, has created a strategic draft plan for the long-term recovery: SMC Recovery Initiative.

Earlier this month, Thrive hosted a virtual community conversation to give nonprofit leaders the opportunity to review and provide input on the draft.

Our CEO, Mark Cloutier, participated in the event and shared his perspective as a mental health provider in the county. You may hear Mark’s remarks here.

Virtual Health Fair, September 8, 2020

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Caminar is pleased to partner with the San Mateo Daily Journal for a virtual health fair on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, from 10 am until 12 pm.

The health fair will include COVID-19 updates, community resources, and mental health education.

Mark Cloutier, our CEO, will discuss ways to stay mentally healthy during this stressful time.

Please use the button below to register. Registration is free.

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A note from Mark: We are all in this together

March 31, 2020

Dear Friends,

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I hope this email finds you and your loved ones healthy. 

As you well know, we’ve been sheltering in place in the Bay Area for two weeks now. The gravity of the situation is beginning to sink in for many people, many of whom are experiencing a range of complicated emotions. 

As our former board member, sportscaster Ted Robinson, succinctly shared via Twitter recently: 

“As we fight this physical threat, the country must provide needed mental health resources. Mental health will be a very real challenge in this new world. Sincere hope that the experts will be given a platform to address all of us.”

Indeed, the mental health toll of this public health crisis is very real and will likely persist beyond the physical health threat of COVID-19. 

Please remember you are not alone in any feelings of uncertainty, anxiety, stress, grief, anger, loneliness, or any other emotions you may be experiencing as a result of our current reality. These are unprecedented times, and the emotional roller coaster you or your loved ones may be feeling is normal and common.

One of our clinicians recently wrote, 

“The clients I was most concerned about, the ones with intense anxiety, were handling it better than expected. They all told me they felt they weren’t alone in their anxiety. Where they once felt isolated with intense feelings of powerlessness and uncertainty, they now realize everyone else has the same feelings and ‘we’re in this together.’ I reminded them this is resilience and a coping strategy that we can all learn from.”

I hope you can find your own resilience in knowing you are not alone. We are all in this together. Please look after your mental health and the mental health of your friends and family. I have included many resources at the bottom of this email that may be helpful.

Thank you for your ongoing support of Caminar and our divisions. We appreciate you and wish for you good physical and mental health. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything. We can be reached at 1-650-372-4080 or info@caminar.org.

Take good care of yourselves,

Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH
Chief Executive Officer

From Our CEO: Update on COVID-19 and Mental Health Resources

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March 25, 2020

Dear Friends,

I hope you are faring well and staying healthy during this time. As a public health professional, I want to add my voice of support to our public health leaders who are communicating the importance of sheltering at home and other strict containment measures. The goal of these measures is to “flatten the curve” so that the number of people needing acute medical care does not exceed our healthcare systems’ capacity to provide that critical care.

I appreciate your ongoing support of Caminar and all the recent messages of encouragement I’ve received. Given the positive response, I will continue to provide updates on Caminar’s response to the COVID-19 situation, as well as resources for you to protect your own mental health in these uncertain times.  

As you know, all of us at Caminar and our divisions provide essential behavioral health services to our most vulnerable neighbors. We are working every day for our community, and are evolving our processes and protocols as the current public health situation warrants. 

We have daily coronavirus task force meetings and constant communications throughout the organization. In the last couple of weeks, we quickly shifted to telehealth services, using email, the phone, or videoconferencing, for the majority of our client meetings. Some clients still do require an in-person meeting, and our offices and residential facilities have strict health screening protocols in place for all employees and clients each time they enter a Caminar property. Our team continues to provide best-in-class, compassionate, and science-based support to our clients. 

While this is a scary time, I am heartened hearing how our clients are using coping skills to manage their conditions. A clinician from our Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley division recently shared:

“I’ve had a few clients who are finding this period of distress as teaching them to ‘be’ with themselves and learning patience. Slowing down has been new for them, and it is also teaching them to seek ways to ground themselves. Overall, it has been a period of getting to ‘know themselves’ and being ‘okay’ in the present moment. There’s a lot of gratitude for the opportunity to become centered.”


I do hope you can find a way to become “okay” in the present moment, as well. I want to remind you to continue to look after your own mental health and the mental health of your loved ones. The following are several resources that may be helpful as you navigate our current situation.

General Coronavirus Resources

California Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response: a comprehensive website with resources and information for all Californians

California Local Information: links to coronavirus information for each California county

CDC Coronavirus Information: detailed information, resources, and updates from the CDC

Mental Health Tips

Caminar Facebook and Twitter: regular posts about resources for managing stress

 Virus Anxiety: resources for anxiety and your mental health in a global climate of uncertainty

Mental Health Crisis Hotlines

2-1-1 Bay Area

Butte County Crisis Hotline
1-800-334-6622

San Francisco County Crisis Hotline
1-415-781-0500 or 1-800-273-8255

San Mateo County Crisis Hotline
1-650-579-0350

Santa Clara County Crisis Hotline
1-855-278-4204 

Solano County Crisis Hotline
1-707-428-1131

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line
Text “HOME” to 741741

Please stay healthy and don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions. Our team can be reached at 1-650-372-4080 or info@caminar.org.

Most sincerely,
Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH  
Chief Executive Officer

A Note from Our CEO on COVID-19 and Mental Health Services

March 17, 2020

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Dear Friends,

In the face of the rapidly-evolving coronavirus outbreak and current shelter-in-place order in many Bay Area counties, I sincerely hope you are all well. You may be concerned about how this is impacting Caminar and the most vulnerable members of our community, and I want to share our response. 

Caminar and our divisions are considered essential services and will continue to operate during this time. Our team is committed to providing compassionate and science-based support to all of our clients and will continue to make this our priority as we adapt to this very fluid situation. Our clinical staff spent today contacting all clients and will shift meetings to phone calls where appropriate. Clients for whom an in-person meeting is essential will be screened for infection before receiving mental health care. 

We recognize this is an unsettling time for many community members. We urge you to look after your own mental health and the mental health of your loved ones as we navigate this unfamiliar territory. We regularly share tips to reduce stress and anxiety through Facebook and Twitter. 

Should you need additional mental health support, please reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. 

2-1-1 Bay Area 

Butte County Crisis Hotline
1-800-334-6622

San Francisco County Crisis Hotline
1-415-781-0500 or 1-800-273-8255 

San Mateo County Crisis Hotline
1-650-579-0350

Santa Clara County Crisis Hotline
1-855-278-4204

Solano County Crisis Hotline
1-707-428-1131

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line
Text “HOME” to 741741

Please be well, stay healthy, and do let us know if you have any questions. Our team can be reached at 1-650-372-4080 or info@caminar.org.

Most sincerely,

Mark Cloutier, MPP, MPH  
Chief Executive Officer

Thank you to HIF and BellaVista Landscape Services

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Caminar is so grateful to be a recent beneficiary of the Housing Industry Foundation’s (HIF) latest community-based renovation project.

HIF worked with industry partner and long-time supporter, BellaVista Landscape Services, who completed a full renovation of Caminar’s outdoor garden and reflection space, donating all labor, design, and materials.

“By leveraging the generous support of our partners in the Multifamily Apartment Industry, HIF is able to help improve the quality of life and services for the clients of Caminar while covering 100% the project costs which allows their staff to focus its resources on where its needed most: programming and client support,” said HIF Executive Director, Steve Sullivan

The team transformed our garden area into a lovely location for our staff and clients. When faced with stress, frustration, and a variety of symptoms of mental illness, it is quiet environments that bring us back to our true selves and help to create a space from those issues to know there are alternatives, options, and reasons to hope.

“Because of HIF, clients who are recovering from a mental health crisis will have a beautifully updated outdoor space to use as they heal. The safe and serene garden and reflection area will benefit our clients as they work to decrease their symptoms, improve their health, and return to their daily lives and community,” said Caminar CEO Mark Cloutier.

Thank you to HIF and BellaVista Landscape Services! 

Registration is open for the 17th Annual Circle of Support Luncheon

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Registration is now open for the 17th Annual Circle of Support Luncheon, presented by Caminar and our Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley division.

Please join us for this annual event that brings together people with a shared commitment to the health and well-being of our community, raises essential funds for our program services, aims to reduce stigma around behavioral health topics through education and conversation.

We are delighted to announce that nationally recognized child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Jess Shatkin, author of Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe, will be our speaker this year.

We are honored to announce the first annual Barbara E. Jones Award for Community Leadership, which will be presented at this year’s event.

Barbara became involved with our FCS division as a donor nearly 20 years ago and as a valued member of our Board of Directors in 2012. Barbara cared deeply about ensuring adolescents and those who were underserved had access to quality behavioral health care and educational opportunities.

The Barbara E. Jones Award for Community Leadership will honor an individual or organization taking innovative approaches to mental health care through thought leadership, program implementation, or funding.

Please visit our registration page to reserve your seat!

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 650.513.1509 or development@caminar.org.

San Mateo County Community Information Handbook is out!

San Mateo County’s comprehensive 2020 Community Information Handbook is now available!

This resource guide for the residents of San Mateo County provides information on government programs, community organizations, and over 1,200 non-profit agencies - including Caminar.  

Both hard-copy and electronic handbooks are available here. And, a more in-depth listing of services is can at www.smc-connect.org.

We are thrilled to share that Jerry Hill of Caminar’s Supported Education team took the lovely photograph of Filoli that graces the handbook cover!

Celebrating our Clients' Achievements in Wellness

In December, our San Mateo Region enjoyed our first annual Cammies Awards to recognize our clients’ achievements in health and wellness. The Cammies were held during our annual client holiday luncheon, so the day proved a fun, festive, and inspiring celebration of friendship, community, and wellness.

Clients were honored for achievements in employment, maintaining housing, clean and sober living, living a healthy lifestyle, modeling positive change, and modeling self-care and wellness. We are uplifted by these stories of resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. And, we applaud all of our clients for their hard work moving toward wellness.

In addition to client honors, the region appreciated our local Ted’s Village Pharmacy for the best community support and making a difference in our clients’ lives. Thank you, Ted’s Village Pharmacy!

Special thanks to the incomparable Jerry Hill for capturing the day in photos.

#GratitudeTuesday: Why we're thankful for you

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Because of you, Caminar and our Family & Children Services of Silicon Valley and Project Ninety divisions combined to transform the lives of 20,000 youth and adults this year with prevention, treatment, and recovery services. Thank you!

Today is #GivingTuesday, a day focused on giving back to our communities. We're celebrating #GratitudeTuesday, a day that comes from the heart. We are grateful for you. 

Please enjoy this short message of appreciation from our CEO, Mark Cloutier:

Thank you for your commitment to the well-being and health of our most vulnerable neighbors. Sending you best wishes for a joyous holiday season.

Wellness and Restoration Through Art

Art is restoration: the idea is to repair the damages that are inflicted in life, to make something that is fragmented
– which is what fear and anxiety do to a person – into something whole.

– Louise Bourgeois, artist

Amazing works of restorative art are created by participants in our Expressive Arts program. The program, made possible by the generous support of Mills-Peninsula Health Services, brings world-renowned photographer Michael Collopy and musician Maikel Garcia to our residential homes for weekly workshops. In the workshops, participants are encouraged to use different art media to express their feelings. Calming music, conversation, and supportive staff and students create a warm, encouraging environment for all to work on wellness while creating lovely art. 

Please enjoy this recent collection of work by a number of different artists in our program.

With Gratitude to the Hillsdale United Methodist Church Women's Club

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What a treat to receive the lovely gift of hygiene kits for our clients!

We are so grateful to the women’s club of the Hillsdale United Methodist Church who so thoughtfully hand-knit hats and gathered hygiene essentials for our clients, many of whom are the most vulnerable individuals in our community.

Interested in helping a local mission, the group carefully selected and packaged items that show our clients they are noticed, supported, and loved. Thank you.

We are so grateful for our San Mateo and Peninsula community who so compassionately cares for those in need.

Shrtonay's Story: Finding a Lifeguard

We are honored to share with you a young woman’s powerful story of coping with mental illness and finding a lifeguard amidst her struggles.

Here's Shrtonay's Story, and the story of the opportunities we all have to make a difference by reaching young people as early as possible to ensure the health and wellness of our communities.

We have so much gratitude and respect for Shrtonay, and her bravery in speaking up about mental illness.

Suicide Prevention Month: We can all help prevent suicide

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We can all help prevent suicide. Each year, mental health organizations and individuals across the U.S. and around the world raise awareness of suicide prevention during September, National Suicide Prevention Month. During this month, we also observe National Suicide Prevention Week (September 8-14) and World Suicide Prevention Day (September 10). The goal of this month and these efforts is to empower everyone in the community to help prevent suicide.

In San Mateo County, San Mateo County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services and the Suicide Prevention Committee is partnering with libraries and community agencies in San Mateo County to host 12 events and promote a social media campaign. This initiative aims to equip individuals with words and resources to support people who may be thinking about suicide. Events include support groups, informational presentations, day of prayer, film screenings, craft workshops and lived experience speakers. You may download the calendar of events here.

In Santa Clara County, Behavioral Heath Services is hosting and Mental Health and Wellness Fair on September 13 and also highlights many other important suicide awareness and prevention events on their website.

In addition to helping to amplify the important messages of suicide prevention that will be shared this month, we encourage all to know the three steps to support someone in a serious mental health crisis:

  1. Know the signs of someone who is having suicidal thoughts

  2. Kind the words to have a direct conversation with them

  3. Reach out for help

If you or someone you know considering suicide, please reach out to these 24/7 crisis hotlines:

  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

  • National Crisis Text Line: Text “Home” to 741741

  • San Mateo County/ StarVista Crisis Hotline: 650-579-0350

  • Butte County Behavioral Health Crisis Line (Butte County): 1-800-334-6622 or 530-891-2810

  • Solano County Crisis Line: 707-428-1131

  • San Francisco Suicide Prevention Crisis Line: 415-781-0500 or 1-800-273-8255

  • Santa Clara County Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 1-855-278-4204

Back to School 2019 with Caminar Supported Education

Fall semester begins August 15!

It’s back to school time!

Caminar Supported Education, in collaboration with San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the College of San Mateo, and Skyline College, is pleased to present two courses for the fall 2019 semester.

Peer Counseling I

           An orientation and training course to develop peer counseling skills, emphasizing the experiential process of interpersonal communication as well as the theoretical perspectives. Exploration of community settings. Prepares students for a variety of career settings. explanation of the counseling process.

August 15 through December 5
Tuesday and Thursdays from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
College of San Mateo | Building 16, Room 102

Future Views

Workshops focusing on academic and career exploration. Explore  your personal strengths, determine your learning style, discover student resources.

August 15 through December 5
Tuesday and Thursdays from 2:00 - 2:45 p.m.
Skyline College | Building 1, Room 205

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 Classes are offered free of charge and all instructional materials are provided.
To register or for more information, please contact

Chris Robinson, Caminar Supported Education Program Director
chrisr@caminar.org | 650.393.8926