Following an evaluation, local organizations will release key recommendations to improve mental health services and substance abuse prevention for Latino youth and families in San Mateo County.
The community presentation of the annual evaluation will release key findings and data on how to prioritize recommendations for implementation.
And, although Latinos represent approximately a quarter (24 percent) of the county's population, this was the first time that an evaluation was driven by and for the community.
Community organizations such as Helping Latinos to Dream (WINGS), The Council, Our House and partner Latino-led organizations in San Mateo County, provided the survey where participants could feel safe sharing it confidentially to effect positive change.
The presentation of the recommendations will take place next Tuesday, October 17, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Fair Oaks Community Center, located at 2600 Middlefield Road, in Redwood City.
The event, which is expected to be attended by more than 100 people, will feature a presentation by community leaders, a cultural exhibition of youth folkloric ballet, a community debate to prioritize next steps, refreshments (taquero), and a raffle for prizes.
The meeting will be in Spanish with English interpretation provided by the Thrive Alliance organization.
It should be noted that, in total, 481 surveys were collected, 123 of them in young people and 358 in adults. Additionally, 117 people participated in focus groups and interviews.
Participants were between 12 and 65 years old or older, with a slight majority between 35 and 44 years old (20 percent). 27 percent of them were from Redwood City and Fair Oaks, 24 percent from San Mateo/Peninsula, 24 percent from Half Moon Bay/Costa, and 7 percent from East Palo Alto.
The goal was to learn more about the factors that can influence substance use, sadness, depression and well-being in the Latino community, to ultimately make recommendations to the county on how to best prevent substance use in the future. and improve the mental health of Latino residents.
The findings of this evaluation include recommendations to address financial challenges to help families survive and thrive in this economy and decrease economic barriers to accessing mental health and substance abuse services.
The recommendations also call for providing and creating intentional outreach for culturally appropriate services that are available and accessible, supporting youth-driven and family-centered programs and activities, and building capacity for existing providers to serve greater numbers of youth. and Latino families.
The evaluation was funded by a grant from San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services with support from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA) of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). ) of 2021.
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