HAYWARD, Calif. – La Familia is launching a multi-phase project to establish a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-A-Like (FQHC-LAL) to provide primary and behavioral health care. This effort recently received $420,000 in seed funding from Eden Health District. La Familia’s licensed clinical teams will provide services in a culturally responsive, patient-centered model leveraging their lived experience and La Familia’s reputation as a trusted provider. Services will focus on unhoused populations, formerly incarcerated people, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and those with moderate to severe mental health illness, substance use disorders, drug addiction and co-occurring disorders. 

Aaron Ortiz, La Familia’s CEO states, “We are extremely grateful for the continued partnership with Eden Health District. La Familia supports individuals’ healthcare needs with a whole-person approach. The early commitment by EHD acknowledges both the gap in services that exist and the potential of La Familia to serve the community.” 

The Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team at La Familia identified this opportunity eight years ago. La Familia has extensive experience serving vulnerable community members, including unsheltered families, those formerly incarcerated, as well as youth and adults with mental and behavioral health issues and co-occurring disorders. Since the start of the pandemic, they have become a leading provider of COVID testing and vaccines within Alameda County, with over 135,000 tests distributed and 33,000 vaccines dispersed. This facility will offer a 5-day a week clinic providing integrated primary care and behavioral health services for our hardest-to-reach residents and all else who seek services. 

Our long history of effective collaboration with La Familia inspires our District to make this significant commitment to make sure the clinic is successful. The residents of our District that are the most vulnerable and impacted by Covid and poverty will benefit greatly” said Mark Friedman, CEO of Eden Health District. 

The Hayward census tracts within the proposed service area are designated as Medically Underserved Areas (MUA) and Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA). The shortage of primary and mental health professionals exacerbates health inequities among our focus populations, especially communities of color. Alameda County has launched ambitious initiatives to transform its healthcare system and reduce access gaps among vulnerable and underserved communities for years. Still there continues to be a demand for primary and behavioral care integrated treatment services. 

Severe mental illness, opioid overdose, and a lack of access to care continue to claim the lives of community members. According to the 2022 Alameda County Point-in-Time Count, the average life expectancy for a community member living in stable housing is 81 years. In contrast, unhoused individuals average 25 years less. Deaths by opioid overdose are often underreported, particularly among individuals experiencing homelessness. The Alameda County Health Care Services Agency reported 317 overdose deaths in 2020 and among them, 30% were people experiencing homelessness. 

Chief Contreras reflects on the expansion, “La Familia is an incredible community based organization. The Hayward Fire Department has partnered with them for over 40 years. From the beginning of the pandemic, we have seen firsthand their robust and effective COVID response. La Familia always shows up for the community! We are excited to see La Familia continue to fill gaps in the healthcare continuum of care.”

La Familia is well positioned to provide integrated and co-located primary and behavioral health care in a culturally-responsive, patient-centered model. This effort will build upon Alameda County and Eden Health District’s commitment to health equity, especially among individuals who are at risk of decreased life-expectancy due to their social determinants of health. La Familia’s continuum of care approach is integral to ensuring individuals and communities that are often unseen receive investment and respect. 

La Familia leverages its “for us, by us” model of including qualified staff with lived experience in the design, implementation, and evaluation of its services. With the support of Eden Health District, La Familiar is working to ensure that individuals have access to a full range of primary, behavioral and preventive healthcare services that are affordable, comprehensive, and culturally responsive. Community members interested in staying updated on the project can contact Sophia Rodriguez, Partner Relations Manager with La Familia, at Srodriguez@LiveLaFamilia.org.

Gorgeous-manicured course, spectacular views, live Mariachi music, the Warrior Dancers, great food and drink, incredible trips and prizes, and Franco Finn as our celebrity auctioneer—what is not to love?

Thank you to all our participants, sponsors, volunteers and supporters who made this event a success, and loads of fun. Money is still coming in, as we eclipse our fundraising goal of $100,000!

We are already planning the 2023 tournament, we hope to see you again next year!

Catch some of the photo highlights below:

La Familia has brought back a COVID-19 vaccine clinic to our Cherryland facility at 20095 Mission Blvd. in Hayward.

This clinic is FREE and open to all community members who work or live in Alameda County ages 16 and older. Any eligible recipient under 16yrs must bring a consenting adult in order to be vaccinated. This operation will only be available through Friday April 30 and will be offering the Pfizer vaccine. La Familia is asking the community to share this vital information with all of their networks and social circles so that we can continue to bring Alameda County closer to being fully vaccinated and keep our communities safe from COVID-19. See/share the flyer below for full details:

Booking Vaccine Appointments After April 30

Beyond this week, community members may continue to get vaccinated through La Familia at our Skywest site. To book an appointment PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE

Cherryland Site Hi-Res Photos

COVID-19 Task Force Video for Unincorporated Alameda County

Statement From Aaron Ortiz, La Familia CEO

On Friday, September 21, 2018, La Familia hosted a Celebration of Life Service to honor the life of our fellow colleague and friend, Dr. Marco A. Lozano. La Familia staff, former staff, clients, and members of the community came together to share stories and create an altar in honor of Dr. Lozano. Dr. Lozano joined La Familia’s Outpatient Program in 2005 as a postdoctoral intern and became a staff therapist upon completion of his postdoctoral hours. He earned his license in psychology in 2008 and in 2012, he became the Clinical Director of the Outpatient Department. Dr. Lozano was an integral part of La Familia and was a man of service, always providing a warm, empathic space for his colleagues, supervisees, and clients. His memory and legacy will continue to live on at La Familia and we feel fortunate to have worked beside him.

The altar was transferred to our Mocine office and will be up through October. If you are interested in visiting the altar please contact us.

Pictured left to right are: Bob Peppler; Friends of FESCO Committee Member, Sarah Voit; FESCO, Aaron Ortiz; CEO La Familia, Ileana Pacheco; Sr Human Resources Business Partner with Columbus Meats, Tom Wider; Plant Manager with Columbus Meats, Edymir Guerrero; FESCO, and Sharon Luther; Friends of FESCO Committee Member.

We recently received this donation from Columbus Craft Meats for support of our meals program in the shelter and housing of Les Marquis and Banyan House. We are grateful always to our community and corporate partners whose generosity supports the incredible and valuable work being done by our staff.

Ashland Cherryland Together (ACT), a community collaborative supported by La Familia staff, joins ALL IN Alameda County in their effort to end poverty. ALL IN is funding Listening Sessions throughout Alameda County to hear directly from residents about what’s working, what’s not working, and what should change in their communities. These listening sessions are guiding discussions related to affordable housing, early care and education, economic empowerment, and healthy food access.

Ashland Cherryland Together (ACT) will be conducting two listening sessions this month (March 2018) in partnership with Resources for Community Development. The discussion topics will be primarily focused on economic empowerment and healthy food access. Each listening session will be conducted in a community café fashion which will facilitate rich conversations between participants. Each session will provide small eats, coffee, tea, childcare, and opportunities for further engagement, including membership in the Ashland Community Association.

Additionally, Ashland Cherryland Together (ACT) staff will conduct 3-5 one-on-one listening sessions with members of the communities Ashland and Cherryland. Ashland Cherryland Together (ACT) staff is confident that the voices of Alameda County residents will be instrumental in the planning and strategizing of future projects. “It is important that residents have venues in which they can voice their concerns and wishes for their communities and trust that they will be heard—ALL IN listening sessions provide that stage for residents,” said Elsa Casanova, who coordinates Ashland Cherryland Together (ACT) for La Familia.

Ashland Cherryland Together (ACT) is a community coalition that has served the Ashland and Cherryland communities of unincorporated Alameda County since 2008. As a Drug-Free Communities Support Program grantee, Ashland Cherryland Together is dedicated to reducing substance use and misuse by educating youth, empowering stakeholders, mobilizing the community, and shaping environmental policies. Partners of the coalition include Alameda County Sheriff’s Office, Supervisor Nate Miley’s Office, and other local organizations. La Familia provides staffing support and fiscal administration services to support the Ashland Cherryland Together coalition.

Please click on the links below for information on how you can donate to help support individuals and families affected by these tragedies:

For Puerto Rico: https://www.generosity.com/emergencies-fundraising/maria-irma-puerto-rico-real-time-recovery-fund.

For Mexico: https://www.directrelief.org/2017/09/mexico-city-rocked-by-7-1-magnitude-earthquake-weeks-after-devastating-temblor/

For more information about what La Familia is doing to support residents of Mexico and Puerto Rico, please contact Dr. Charles Flores at CFlores@lafamiliacounseling.org.”

“ALAMEDA, Calif. (BCN) – Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley has announced that she is leading a partnership of county agencies, community groups, and other resources to try to provide successful outcomes for young adults who are on felony probation or who’ve been charged with certain felonies.

O’Malley said the “Alameda County Justice Restoration Project” will focus on reducing and eliminating recidivism as well as on providing the resources and processes for individuals to build bright futures.

She said the project will focus on young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 and will be evaluated by WestEd Inc., an independent research and assessment organization.

O’Malley said the project enables Alameda County to create and implement a new model for addressing community safety by breaking the cycle of crime and incarceration with intensive services, including individualized coaching and intensive case management.

The project is now serving 29 young adults in its pilot phase and starting in January it will serve an additional 150 young people.

“This project provides a pathway for a better life,” O’Malley said in a statement.

O’Malley said, “Under the leadership of the District Attorney’s Office, we are changing the paradigm from simply supervision-based probation to building outcomes of success. We understand that recidivism is a problem that plagues communities throughout the county, the state, and the nation.”

She said, “Repeatedly jailing low-level offenders without providing supportive services and opportunities for employment and education is not the answer. The criminal justice system and our citizens are best served when we embrace new ideas and approaches to addressing crime, punishment, and rehabilitation.”

O’Malley said the new program is a Pay For Success Project, with seed funding awarded by the Bureau of State and Community Corrections through a competitive grant program.

She said Pay For Success is a fiscal partnership between a government agency, in this case, Alameda County, under the leadership of the District Attorney’s Office, and private or foundation funders. The non-government funds are invested in a project with specific contractual milestones and outcomes.

O’Malley said a key partner is La Familia Counseling Services, a community-based organization that will support young adults returning to their neighborhoods in the county through its individualized coaching model.

She said clients will be paired for 18 months with coaches with similar life experiences who will provide engagement and mentorship. The coaches will coordinate with probation officers and other professionals to streamline access to an array of services that can be challenging for clients to navigate without support.

The District Attorney’s Office has developed and spearheaded the program in collaboration with the Probation Department, the County Administrator’s Office, and the Sheriff’s Office, among other county partners.

The Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab has been working with the District Attorney’s Office since 2015 to develop the project.

The project is funded by a mix of federal, state, county and philanthropic dollars.”

For more information about this program please visit our website and the Alameda county website.

This year we held a camp for only two weeks (due to staff shortage), despite the shortened time of camp we had 57 youths with 18 student volunteers.

Aside from making summer camp fun, the CYB and YFO teams strive to make summer camp educational. For the last three years, the teams bring in community partners who have provided arts and crafts, murals, drumming, yoga/meditation, science, sports, and for the last three years geographic mapping.  The last two years the teams have incorporated a Color Run, which kids enjoy running around several stations to get dry paint thrown in the air as they run by.

In addition, the team partners with the Free Breakfast Program through HUSD and becomes a site where free lunch not just for camp members, but also any community youths under the age of 18, who are in need of a free lunch.

CYB and YFO end the Summer Camp at the Cannery Water Park (located next to Burbank Elementary) where several activities and prizes are given to the youth for achieving success during the program and then end it at the water park.