SHDhassupportedRavenswood FamilyHealthNetworksince2009to providecriticalmedicalanddental servicesforDistrictresidents.Read moreforthefullfeatureonthislongstandingpartnership.
Annual Report 2025
CEO Message
Dear Sequoia Healthcare District Community Member,
As we reflect on the past year, I am proud to share the progress we’ve made in advancing our mission to improve health and safety across our community These achievements are the result of strong partnerships and a shared commitment to well-being
Expanding Oral Health Access
Through increased funding to nonprofit partners including Sonrisas Dental Health and Samaritan House Clinic, and through our Oral Health Learning Collaborative with Health Plan of San Mateo and the San Mateo Dental Society, your tax dollars have played an important role in expanding access to dental care. Looking ahead, we are excited to open a new dental clinic in Redwood City with our partner, Ravenswood Family Health Network, in January 2026 further increasing access for those in need
Strengthening Community Safety
To ensure lifesaving equipment remains reliable, we replaced more than 130 aging Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) that have been placed in public locations throughout the 7 cities within the District. We also partnered with Thrive Rise (Resilience in Shared Emergencies) which aims to enhance community resilience and facilitate communication, coordination, and collaboration among nonprofit and faith-based organizations, government agencies, and the private sector during all phases of a disaster.
Investing in Community Health
This year, we increased funding for community- and school-based grants by upwards of $a million dollars to address emerging health needs. Notably, we increased funding for access to mental health services provided by our partner non-profit providers, and provided a second $500,000 emergency grant to Second Harvest, supporting their critical work to fight food insecurity and ensure access to nutritious food.
Together, these efforts reflect our commitment to building a healthier, safer, and more resilient community I am grateful for the dedication of our partners and look forward to continued progress in the year ahead.
Investing in Community Health
As an entity funded by property tax dollars, Sequoia Healthcare District is dedicated to channeling all revenue into effective, high-quality programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of our community. We manage grants that support our most vulnerable residents through three major grant portfolios: Caring Community Grants, Access, Innovation, and Collaboration (AIC) Grants (previously referred to as Community Impact Funds), and the Healthy Schools Initiative.
$25.9M $21.7M
Snapshot of Our 2025 Impact
Food/Nutrition
42,000
received fresh produce and groceries by Second Harvest of Silicon Valley to combat food insecurity.
YouthServices
2,000
call BGCP (Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula) clubhouses an after-school and summer home.
SeniorServices
3,500
were given long term care assistance in San Mateo County from AgeUp (formerly Ombudsman Services).
SubstanceAbuseDisorders
21,000 residents seniors residents school-aged youths
1,200 clients
obtained prevention and outpatient treatment services by El Centro's Youth Intervention program and Adult Substance Use Disorder program.
Clinical/Medical
4,000 patients
received comprehensive sexual and reproductive healthcare by Planned Parenthood Mar Monte in Redwood City.
BehavioralHealth
were provided community outreach, education, counseling, and social groups for the LGBTQ+ community by Adolescent Counseling Services
Caring Community Grants
The Caring Community Grants program awarded a record $5.2 million to 75 healthrelated initiatives for the 2024-2025 period. Since 2022, the number of residents served by these grants has steadily risen from 65,000 to over 105,000 in 2025, representing an increase of more than 60%. Correspondingly, funding has also experienced significant growth, with a nearly 40% rise from $3.75 million in 2022 to over$5.2millionin2025.
#ofSHDResidentsSe vedby Ca ingCommunityGrants
$5.2 Million Awarded
105,000+ SHD residents served in 2025 75 programs funded
The highest investment category was Food and Nutrition, with just over a million dollars allocated to Community Caring Grants. Moreover, SHD contributed nearly an additional three-quarters of a million dollars outside the Caring Food program. This extra funding was distributed as follows: $500,000 in emergency grants to Second Harvest, $115,000 to Peninsula Volunteer’s Meals on Wheels, and $100,000 for our collaborative Art Faro Food Grants with Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital. Consequently, the number of SHD clients served by partners in the Food and Nutrition sectorrosetoover53,000.
Healthy Schools Initiative
>$5M invested 28Kstudents impacted
8ParticipatingSchoolDistricts
SHD has a long-standing history of supporting staff wellness at our school districts by funding programs that increase the well-being of school staff. This year, another way we are making staff wellness a priority is investing in a new pilot program titled Integrative Wellness, a 10-class program toaddressstaffburnout.ReadmoretofindoutotherwayswesupportourHSIDistricts. B R S S D M P C S D L L E S D
With our support, the Healthy Schools Initiative is transforming how schools in Menlo Park approach student wellness This community-driven effort is helping schools prioritize both physical and mental health by integrating wellness into the school day in meaningful, lasting ways
From mindfulness and movement breaks to nutrition education, school gardens, PAWZitivity Dogs, and on-campus mental health services, the initiative aims to support the whole child
At a time when youth mental health is a growing concern, Menlo Park schools are taking proactive steps One standout feature of the initiative is the increased access to counseling and wellness staff, which addresses anxiety, depression, and stress before they become crises
The Menlo Park City School District’s goal is to make wellness part of the everyday fabric of school life This is about prevention, early support, and giving students the tools they need to grow into healthy, resilient adults
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) continues to be a priority in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District In May 2025, Ashley Doss, a counselor at Redwood Shores Elementary School, opened the wellness room to families Before the open house, she had students write about one thing they learned from her SEL lessons which spotlighted its importance over the past year
In an emergency, for every minute defibrillation is delayed, an individual's chance of survival decreases by 10% With expansive elementary and middle school campuses, it is critical that sites have AED machines in multiple locations and that all staff are trained to use them Thanks to our funding, the Las Lomitas Elementary School District is now part of the Via Heart Program, which provides AED devices to schools, ongoing technical support, and an automated monitoring system to ensure proper functioning.
To support student well-being during state testing, the Portola Valley School District hosts a “Week of the Family” at both of its schools Led by school counselors, the theme encourages families to pause homework, reconnect, and engage in wellness-focused activities such as ensuring adequate sleep and family time. Students are invited to submit photos of their participation to earn raffle entries and prizes, adding a fun incentive to the stress-free focus of the week
Sequoia Healthcare District has funded 115 hours of Redwood City School District’s 390 contracted counseling hours. The counseling partners include One Life Counseling, Caminar, and RCSD Interns. These counseling programs provide one-on-one counseling for students in grades TK-8th, which includes social skills groups for students K-2nd and trauma groups for students 3rd-8th grade Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons were also provided through other partnerships funded through the Healthy Schools Initiative grant
The Child Mind Institute offers a Classroom SEL and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy program that helps students develop skills to more effectively regulate their emotions, solve problems, and enhance their lives
Friends for Youth provides a mentoring program that follows a 30week SEL curriculum based on the CASEL SEL Framework.
YMCA's Project Cornerstone trains volunteers to deliver Asset Building Champion programs, Los Dichos, and Middle School SEL They also conduct parent workshops.
Wayfinder offers a teacher-led SEL program focused on exploring feelings, caring for oneself, growing, creating connections, building, and belonging
Sager Family Farms runs the Big Buzz About Bees program, bringing learning to life and sparking interest in STEAM fields through exciting encounters with bees
The San Carlos School District continues to prioritize student well-being through the support provided by its nursing and mental health teams. These teams implement a tiered system of interventions designed to address diverse student needs
A highlight from the past year was their partnership with Jasper Ridge Farms. With our support, students had the incredible opportunity to visit the farm and interact with therapy animals In the Horse Buddies program, students with special needs found a new and engaging way to learn Additionally, Jasper Ridge Farms joined them for an assembly during their Abilities Awareness Week. This partnership showcases the impact of community partnerships in shaping student learning and wellbeing
Through our partnership, the Sequoia Union High School District has been able to expand their student wellness services They have increased their Tier 1 interventions by creating wellness spaces for students to drop in and take a “Brain Break.” Students work with staff and use the Wellness Toolbox to learn skills for self-regulation
With our support, their wellness staff and community-based organization partners were able to provide mental health support to 25% of their student population district-wide during the 2024-2025 school year. 1,772 unique students received 11,579 direct student wellness services, including 8,189 individual counseling sessions, 1,766 case management and consultation sessions, and 1,624 group services
A moment of growth and reconciliation occurred when two students worked through a conflict during PE and found common ground It’s not always easy, but they showed maturity, accountability, and the power of a fresh start Pictured here are two students from the Woodside Elementary School District and their counselor P V S D S C S D R C S D S U H S D W E S D
Parent Venture Partnership
The Parent Venture is a leading provider of inclusive, high-quality education for parents and caregivers, students, educators, health professionals, and community members. Since 2006, they have delivered programming on critical issues mental health, substance use, digital media, and more that impact the healthandwell-beingofchildrenandteens.
BY THE NUMBERS
70 Parentandcommunity educationeventsoffered in2024-25
19,000+ total registrants
42,000+ videoviewsin2024-25 (5K-6K/month)
4,809 registrantsfrom SequoiaHealthcare District
60 Spanishlanguage videosinVideoLibrary (over50Kviews)
16,000+ newslettersubscribers witha54%+openrate
271,000+ lifetimevideoviews (VideoLibrary)
3 SHD FUNDED PROGRAMS
1 2
In Raising Awe Seekers, child development expert Deborah Farmer Kris explores how awe and wonder should be a part of every childhood, and how becoming an awe-seeker can change your parentinginprofoundandconcreteways
Author and educator Amanda Morin provides parents, caregivers, and educators with practical information about neurodiversity and neurodivergence to help students feel accepted andsupportedforwhotheyare
Brenda Carrasco, bilingual therapist, One Life Counseling Center, explores the early signs of distress and anxiety in children, including fears related to immigration and the growing emotional challengesthatyoungchildrenface
Sequoia Healthcare District has been funding PE+ since its inception in 2012. As part of the Peninsula Community Center (PCC), PE+ provides sports & fitness education to 10 schools across Redwood City. This includes PE classes as well as support during recess and lunch. In addition, PE+ provides leadership development for young adults who join as site leaders, coaches, and core team members. This training allows the team to connect with students and helps them become integrated among the school community. For over 13 years, PE+ has continued to grow, improve, and find new ways to support kids through movement and play. Learn more by visiting peninsulacommunitycenter.com/pe.
Over $875,000 in SHD funding in 2024-25
CWAE Pilot
QuantitativeHighlights
98% 97% >90%
feltmotivatedby teammates improvednutrition (eatingmorefruits, vegetables,andnuts)
ParticipantVoices
“Thesupportand bondIbuiltwithmy teammateswasmy favoritepart.”
“Havingasleeproutine hasbeenverybeneficial.I getenoughrestandam abletobecalmand present.”
reportedimprovementsin exercise,sleep,meditation, physicalhealth,mentalhealth, andrelationships
“Eatingnutshaseliminated mycravingstoeatchips I havenoticedthatIlost somepoundsandlook better Ifeelbetterwhichis mostimportant.”
With our support, the Center for Wellness and Achievement in Education (CWAE) launched a successful Integrative Wellness Program and Staff Wellness Competition that delivered transformative benefits to participants’ physical, mental, and social well-being. The program focused on four key pillars: nutrition, exercise, sleep, and meditation, supplemented byafriendlycompetitionstructureandrobusteducationonwellnessscience.
Overall, it created a lasting positive impact, helping participants not only improve their own well-being but also influence their families, students, and workplace culture. This demonstrates the power of structured, science-based wellness interventionscombinedwithcommunityaccountabilitytodrivemeaningfulandsustainablelifechanges.
Mental Health & Emotional Resilience:
Meditation significantly improved participants’ ability to handle stress, anxiety, and emotional reactivity. Many reported feeling calmer, more present, and better able to manage work and personal challenges
Community & Connection:
Participants highlighted the sense of accountability and camaraderie built through teams. The program fostered stronger relationships and a more supportive work environment.
Empowerment & Lifestyle Transformation:
Individuals felt empowered to prioritize self-care after long periods of neglect due to work or family. Lasting behavior changes included improved sleep, consistent exercise, healthier eating, and regular meditation
Educational Impact:
The program’s sciencebased lessons reinforced the importance of wellness habits.
Participants extended their learning to family members, students, and colleagues, amplifying the program’s impact
Partner Story: Adaptive PE
Adaptive Physical Education’s mission is to enhance the well-being of adults of all abilities, especially welcoming seniors and those with physical disabilities or significant health limitations. Located in the heart of Redwood City for nearly40years,theyprovidelife-changingfitnessprogramsinawelcomingcommunityatmosphere.
Their members are those that traditional fitness gyms and programs leave behind because of lack of program appropriateness or instructor qualification. They offer vibrant group classes and open-gym times for individuals to exercise in a safe environment. Their fitness instructors are experts in adapted fitness, gerontology, and working with complex medical conditions. Combined with adapted equipment such as NuSteps or recumbent bikes, their programsareinviting,inclusive,andsupportive.
Adaptive Physical Education welcomes you. Call 650-368-7732 or visit www.AdaptivePEvmsc.org for more details. Theylookforwardtothrivingwithyou!
membersstrong
sessionspermonth
ofmembersresideinthe fourRedwoodCityzipcodes ofmembersresideinRedwoodCity anditsdirectlyneighboringcities
AdaptiveP.E.Client:
“They’re grrrreat! It’s not just ‘instruction’ There is always a sense of camaraderie and supportive ‘family.’ The value of this (on every level) is immeasurable, the instructors are tremendously knowledgeable, well informed, patient, and generous with their experience and kindness The best! In 15 years, they’ve gotten me through some tough times and brought much happiness”
Partner Story: Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
“Ican'tcooknomore. Whenyoucan'tcook, youknow,anythingthey bringme,I'mhappy.”
ClientStory-Maria,92(RedwoodCity)
Rocketship Redwood City’s free grocery distribution is a school site nestled in the middle of a neighborhood full of single-family homes, white picket fences and large trees. All around this tightknitcommunityisfoottraffic:
parents picking their kids up from school, seniors loading groceries in baskets on their bikes and long-time clients who have been getting food from this site for years. One of those regulars is 92-year-old Maria, who you won’t see standing in line or waiting in her car. Instead, one lucky volunteer is chosen every week to hand-deliver food to Maria’s home a fewblocksaway.
Maria lives alone in the house she and her husband purchased in 1950 after immigrating from Italy. Her husband passed away 20 years ago, and she now sees the benefit of living alone at her age: “I don’t want any man. I can’t take care of him!” Second Harvest brings a regular supply of fruits and vegetables to her, and she supplements that with ready-made food from Meals on Wheels, a partner Second Harvest is proud to support.
Maria might live alone, but her community makes sure she is well looked after. Maria’s neighbors are always checking in on her, as are her doctors and hairdressers, who make house visits. Every weekend she looks forward to her kids and grandkids calling or visiting her. Everyone who stops by gets a little treat from Maria as a thank you for visiting her. Livingaloneinyour90’sisunique,butsoisthiscommunity.
“Ienjoytalkingtopeople, becausewhenyou're livingbyyourself,it'snot thesame.You'rehere lonely[soyou]watch that.”(referringtotheTV)
$745,000 inSHDfundingthroughCaringCommunityand AICGrantstoSecondHarvest
42,000 totalresidentsserved
Partner Story: Ravenswood Family Health Network
Sequoia Healthcare District (SHD) has supported Ravenswood Family Health Network since 2009. Each year, Ravenswood serves nearly 3,000 SHD resident patients through around 25,000 visits. SHD residents who are patients at Ravenswood have access to comprehensive care—pediatrics, women’s health, family medicine, dental, optometry, integrated behavioral health, podiatry, chiropractic, pharmacy, mammography, ultrasound, xray, lab, social services, health education, health coverage enrollment,andmuchmore.
At Ravenswood, they emphasize preventive care. One example of this is by providing timely mammograms to patients residing in SHD. They go beyond just providing mammograms their staff provide detailed health education, guidance, and follow-up for patients throughout the full screening and diagnostic journey. This hands-on approach has helped them ensure that no one falls throughthecracks.
For Ravenswood’s SHD resident patients with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, their optometry clinic plays a critical role in preventing vision loss through annual eye and vision exams as well as in-house tele-retinal screenings. With flexible evening and weekend hours, a dedicated bilingual care team, and close coordination with primary care, their optometry clinic remains a trustedandconvenientpointofcareformanyinourcommunity.
Dental care is another cornerstone of their work. This past year, they provided more than 2,600 dental visits to SHD residents, including hundreds of children. Their dental team offers a wide range of dental services from cleanings and fillings to surgery under general anesthesia, and connects patients to other medical services as needed. Given the growing demand of dental services, Ravenswood has partnered with SHD to open a new dental clinic in Redwood City—creating more space to deliver compassionate, high-quality dental care for the communities we serve, including SHDresidentpatients.
3,000 SHDresident patientsserved
25,000 visits
2,600 dentalvisits
$1Million
1016LaurelSt
SanCarlos,CA94070
650-421-2155
facebook.com/shealthdistrict
Instagram@shealthdistrict seqhd.org
Mission:
To improve the health of District residents by enhancing access to care and promoting wellness through responsible stewardship of Districttaxpayerdollars.
Vision:
For all District residents to experience optimal physical and mental health at every stageoflife.
Pledge:
We strive to return to the community 100% of the net tax revenue within three years in health-relatedprogramsandservices.
Ivan Martinez - President
Bill Fong - Vice-President
Jerry Shefren - Director
Cama Lock - Director Rosanne Foust - Director
Pamela Kurtzman - Chief Executive Officer
Stuart Mar - Chief Financial Officer
Jenny Bratton - Director of Grants & Partnerships
Ann Wasson - Director of School Health
Heidi Stamper - Executive Support/Clerk of the Board
Luz Garcia - Communications & Engagement