East Palo Alto Partnership for Mental Health Outreach (EPAPMHO)

About EPAPMHO:

EPAPMHO is the result of both a historical and current series of outreach and planning discussions that occurred to identify issues and barriers preventing community members in the East Palo Alto (EPA) region from accessing and obtaining quality behavioral health services locally. The discussions have also included recommendations for improving local services and taking steps to address identified issues and barriers.

EPAPMHO provides community outreach and engagement services, thereby increasing access and improving linkage to behavioral health services for underserved residents of EPA.

The Partners:

-    One East Palo Alto (OEPA)
-    El Concilio of San Mateo County (ECSMC)
-    Free At Last (FAL)
-    Pacific Tonga Ma’a Tonga, USA (PTMT)
-    Pacific Tonga Ma’a Tonga, USA (PTMT Extended Services)

OEPA:

OEPA is the fiscal agent of the EPAPMHO contract with San Mateo County Health System’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) division. The agency provides contract oversight and coordinates partnership activities and operations with BHRS.

ECSMC:

El Concilio of San Mateo County’s Emergency Services Partnership receives residents from East Palo Alto and Belle Haven/eastern Menlo Park who are in need of emergency provisions, among other activities within the county.  In addition to assessments, assistance and information and referrals, ECSMC provides education and outreach relevant to Mental Health and Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs services, events and information/education.

ECSMC increases access to information, supports, financial assistance and advocacy to families in need. Health and education disparities cause generational poverty and ECSMC helps turn things around for the future of clients’ lives and those of their children.

FAL:

Free At Last: Community Recovery and Rehabilitation Services provides mental health education, outreach and referrals in addition to other adult treatment programs.

PTMT:

Pacific Tonga Ma'a Tonga is an outreach and consultation team of community members that serve the East Palo Alto and Belle Haven/eastern Menlo Park areas as well as greater San Mateo County.  PTMT’s services include, but are not limited to, Pacific Islander translation and community workshops as well as providing outreach and referral services to behavioral health services within BHRS’ System of Care.
 
PTMT’s goal is to help enhance and support the major projects and initiatives with other organizations within the community.  There are many families and immigrants who have not been helped and or who have not tapped into services within the EPA community. PTMT’s mission is to help as many families as possible to empower themselves to gain access to programming.

PTMT Extended Services:

In spring 2014, PTMT services were expanded to include youth at highest risk and Transition Aged Youth and families in need of behavioral health referrals. Provided services refer identified to either the East Palo Alto Community Counseling Center or organizations in BHRS’ System of Care.