2024 SHD Annual Report

Sequoia Healthcare District is partnering with organizations like Second Harvest of Silicon Valley to increase access to quality, nutritious food. Read about a client’s story on page 8. Pictured here is Second Harvest CEO Leslie Bacho.

2023-2024 ANNUAL REPORT

CEO MESSAGE The Heart of Our Efforts

Dear Sequoia Healthcare District community member, People often ask me, “Why does the District exist?”

What is at the heart of our efforts? Simply put, we are only here to be of service to you, and the growing number of our community members who are struggling to maintain a sense of well-being and safety.

It’s certainly clear that our world is going through uncertain times. For many, including myself, uncertainty is difficult even under the best of circumstances. When it’s compounded by the dire conditions of our world today, from climate change to war, to the dramatic Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision, this collective uncertainty has resulted in an unraveling of our social and political connections.

This can be found in our most intimate relationships and in our most public policy debates. However, I believe if we learn to open our hearts, even people with polar opposite views, can be our teacher and our differences don’t have to push us apart.

At Sequoia Healthcare District, we have the opportunity—if not the duty- to open our hearts to being active learners and promote solutions that help bring people together. We do this through supporting what people share in common, not what sets them apart. This report highlights how our work has centered around the common desire to experience good health, to feel safe and supported, and to have equitable access to food, shelter and quality health services.

Achieving and sustaining these outcomes is a big task and I am proud of what we have been able to achieve so far. Our successes are due, in part, to our hardworking staff and dedicated Board members along with our high-quality community organizations and other collaborators who understand our community’s priorities and are willing to confront the longstanding inequities that lead to poor health.

Ultimately, social systems must change from within each community to improve equity and we know that it will take us to be curious, open to new ideas, and willing to listen and learn. It is easy to think, “I am not the problem. That other group over there is the problem.” Maybe the problem is all of us. And the solution, then, is also all of us. And that is at the heart of our efforts.

We also know it will take years to overcome. It is our goal, and our hope, that District investments will initiate and appropriately accelerate equity change in important ways. And that is why we exist.

In good health,

Pamela Kurtzman, CEO

SHD Staff from left to right: Grants Director Jenny Bratton, Communications and Engagement Officer Luz Garcia, Clerk of the Board Heidi Stamper, Director of School Health Ann Wasson, and CEO Pamela Kurtzman

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2022-25 STRATEGIC PLAN 2023-24 Highlights EQUITY AND INCLUSION We increased our level of engagement and support to nonprofits who work in the community spaces that are historically underserved or particularly impacted by health disparities.

INNOVATION We developed an innovative solution to meeting our residents dental needs by working with San Mateo Health Plan and SMC Dental Society to promote the new Dental Learning Collaborative.

COMMUNICATION We published our 2023 Annual Report in Mandarin (in addition to Spanish) and moved our website services to Streamline in order to ensure ADA compliance. We also presented at local City Councils and tabled at many community events.

ADVOCACY We are addressing the needs of our non-profit partners and using data to guide and shape our advocacy efforts.

COLLABORATION We collaborated with the new SMC Navigation Center to create an onsite dental clinic, local cities to replenish AEDs, Health Plan of San Mateo and SMC Dental Society on a dental learning collaborative, and the County Office of Education on mental health asset mapping.

For the complete strategic plan, please visit www.seqhd.org.

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WHO WE ARE Investing Your Tax Dollars Sequoia Healthcare District is committed to investing all property tax revenue into quality, high impact programs that enhance our community's health and well-being. We administer grants that serve our most vulnerable residents through three large grant portfolios: Caring Community Grants, Equity, Innovation, and Collaboration (EIC) Grants (formerly known as Community Impact Funds), and the Healthy Schools Initiative.

What is Our Income?

Pension Pension…

Pass-thru ($2.2M)

Property Tax ($17.4M) Change in investment Change i… value ($1.7M)

$21.8 M Total Income

Dignity Health* Dignity H… Agreement ($0.5M)

*Consists of proceeds from the hospital transfer agreement.

What are Our Expenses?

Pension Pension…

Pass-thru ($2.2M)

Grants ($13.6M)

Operations Operation… ($1.4M)

$17.2 M Total Expenses

Our 3 major grant programs are: Caring Community, Healthy Schools Initiative (HSI), and Equity, Innovation, and Collaboration (EIC). Read more in the following pages.

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Oral Health Community Campaign

Increasing Dental Access:

11 NEW CHAIRS To the left are the preliminary blueprints for the new SHD and Ravenswood dental clinic.

NEW Dental Clinic Coming To Redwood City A significant transformation in oral healthcare accessibility is on the horizon for our community coming Fall 2025. In April 2024, the board approved a $6 million community investment to repurpose the District office building located at 525 Veterans Blvd. in Redwood City into a stateof-the-art dental clinic for lower-income residents. The clinic will be operated by Ravenswood Family Health Network. In addition, we will be embarking on an oral health campaign aimed at providing crucial dental information for our residents. Follow us on social media and periodically check back at seqhd.org to find out more.

Current building:

Caring Community Grants SHD grants are made possible through your tax dollars and we diligently assure that programs and services we fund directly benefit you and/or your neighbors. This year, $4.1 million dollars in grants supported a total of 60 in-district programs that served approximately 81,000 residents (compared to last year's 70,000 and the previous year's 65,000). This is an indication of the utilization and reach of the services offered by our partners to local residents.

Grant funding supported the salaries and wages of crucial program positions such as: executive directors, clinical directors, site directors, intake coordinators, fitness coaches, therapists, athletic leads, recreation coordinators, education and training, cooks and cooking instructors, community health nurse, administrative staff, dieticians, nutritionists, IT staff, case workers, early learning teachers, medical doctors, registered nurses, practicum student stipends, meal packers and meal delivery drivers, and bilingual counselors.

A comprehensive list of our partners is located at the end of this report while a few are featured in our client and partner highlights following this page. We hope you are inspired by these client stories and feel motivated to learn more ways you can give back or donate to one of these organizations.

$4.1 M awarded

60

81,000*

grants

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OUTCOMES AT A GLANCE With the support of SHD funding, our non-profit partners are making a difference in our community. Below, we showcase a few in each of our 6 priority areas.

Health Literacy for Youth and Adults

Food/Nutrition

560

90% 686

of the

residents

SHD residents

received home delivered meals provided by Peninsula Volunteer's Meals on Wheels program 5 days a week.

seen by Kara for grief support reported an improvement in their emotional and mental health.

Health Literacy for Seniors

Clinical/Medical

>1,600 visits

945 3,205

clients received items

were made to approximately 160 long-term care facilities by Ombudsman to ensure SHD residents have access to medical and social services.

through the Medical Equipment Loan Program.

Alcohol, Tobacco & Other Drugs (ATOD)

Mental & Behavioral Health

90

clients

completed the Substance Use Disorder program at Casa Aztlan Men's Recovery Home and received screenings for mental health and primary health care needs.

72

Peninsula Family Services peer counselors

recorded 1,582,980 minutes of counseling to 163 SHD residents.

Gabriel is a devoted father and grandfather from San Mateo. At 58, he shares a two-bedroom apartment with his wife, their children, and grandchildren.

After losing his job last November, Gabriel has taken on the role of caregiver for his young daughter and granddaughter while his wife works as a cook.

Despite their struggles, Gabriel is grateful for the support they receive: “I start thinking how much broccoli, fruit, and milk I’m going to get for my girls. I thank God for the people with a kind heart who help others because we are in need of this food.

With this economy, we can’t afford it.”

NUTRITIOUS FOOD IS ESSENTIAL FOR KIDS AND TEENS AS THEY LEARN, GROW AND DEVELOP, YET 1 IN 3 CHILDREN IN SILICON VALLEY IS AT RISK OF FOOD INSECURITY. ACCESS TO FOOD FROM SECOND HARVEST HELPS BRING FAMILIES TOGETHER AROUND A NUTRITIOUS MEAL, PROVIDING NOURISHMENT TODAY AND CONTRIBUTING TO A BRIGHTER FUTURE TOMORROW.

Gabriel with his girls

Every Friday I say, ‘We’re going to get food today!’

We can't afford all the bills so we’re in need and that’s why we come here, to get food.

SHD responded to the ongoing food scarcity in the community by awarding SHSV with an additional $500,000 on top of their Caring Community grant award of $200,000 to ensure that families like Gabriel’s have access to nourishing food over the next two years.

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Luis first came to the Samaritan House Free Clinic in Redwood City over nine months ago. For a while, he’d been feeling like something was wrong. “I was seeing changes in my body, my skin, and my eyes. Someone told me about the clinic so that’s why I came.”

While Luis works a full time job and is able to make ends meet, medical bills were a challenge he wasn’t sure how to meet. Samaritan House’s free healthcare meant he was able to finally speak to a doctor about the changes he’d been experiencing. He was diagnosed with diabetes, which meant he’d have to make major changes in his life. A dietician helped him navigate new food choices and his doctor gave him a prescription to the Food Pharmacy. With access to fresh, nutritious food and medical professionals to help him learn how to change his diet, he was able to make changes to better his health.

Luis with former dietician Jill Goldring

Without my doctors and without this clinic, I don’t think I would have made it.

The people here are the best.

According to the California Health Interview Survey, 8.1% of residents in San Mateo County are uninsured.

The uninsured patients of Samaritan House free clinics are residents in the neighborhood. In spring 2024, SHD committed approximately $2.4 million over the next 3 years for the Redwood City Free Clinic.

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CLIENT & PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS “In the year 2023 I suffered a stroke, which caused me to lose balance and mobility on my left side (arm and left leg). After I received the approval from my doctor, I joined the gym. My family and I started using the A.P.E. facilities. At the beginning of my rehabilitation I used the wheelchair to move from one place to another because I could not stand or walk. Now, after a few months of coming to the gym and exercising on the machines, I have been able to improve my physical condition, such as having better balance and being able to start walking again on my own.

In this gym I have seen and met people who have motivated me to get out of this situation.”

Hope House was a great fit because of its structure and stability.

Lesieli is a current Hope House client.

Adaptive Physical Education is a fitness and wellness program designed for adults of all ability levels with physical disabilities or health limitations. For more, visit: adaptivepevmsc.org.

I am very grateful to the A.P.E. program!

Alma Gabriela Reyes on an exercise bike.

Lesieli enrolled in the Hope House's Residential Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Treatment Program in late 2023 after she relapsed.

Since then, she has had a new outlook on life: “It’s amazing to have a safe place to come home to, with accountability. It’s given me a new outlook on who I want to be and where I want to go,” she said. She is currently working at a local non-profit and is enrolled in school to complete her Substance Abuse SUD counseling certificate. She would like to help others who are struggling with substances live a healthy and fulfilling life. Lesieli has mended relationships with her family and continues to attend local meetings, including the weekly alumni meeting at Hope House.

Hope House program offers residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment (SUD) for women including those who are pregnant, with an infant, or postpartum and transitional sober living for adults. To find out more, visit: www.serviceleague.org SHD 10

IN-HOUSE PROGRAMS SEQUOIA HEALTHCARE DISTRICT HAS PLACED LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT IN PUBLIC LOCATIONS FOR ACCESS BY THE PUBLIC IN EMERGENCIES. DOWNLOAD THE APP PULSEPOINT ON YOUR SMART PHONE OR SCAN THE QR CODE FOR ALL THE LOCATIONS IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

STRONG

SMART

SAFE

The District funded a series of virtual and in-person chair yoga and balance and brain classes during fall 2023 at San Carlos Parks and Rec targeting adults over 50 to improve flexibility and coordination and prevent injuries.

The Parent Education Series facilitated by longtime partner Parent Venture, continues to educate the community on a myriad of timely topics such as substance abuse, mental health, and digital media.

In 2024, SHD replaced over 132 aging Automated External Defibrillors in public locations and began exploring a comprehensive plan to engage non-profits in identifying their role in disaster response and recovery.

Sequoia: Strong, Smart, Safe

100 fall class

attendees

30 virtual parent workshops

350 SHD 11

HEALTHY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE (HSI) The Healthy Schools Initiative was launched in 2010 to provide health and wellness support to school districts in our catchment area. This initiative is based on the belief that good health is essential for academic achievement and schools play a critical role in promoting lifelong healthy behaviors.

During the 2023-24 school year, our Healthy Schools Initiative provided nearly $5 million of support in pursuit of these health and wellness goals. Funds were used to support staff positions (nurses, wellness coordinators, PE+ coaches, and school counselors) as well as grants for local non-profits to provide school-site programming and services in the areas of:

MENTAL HEALTH & SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING

COMMUNITY & FAMILY ENGAGEMENT

HEALTH LITERACY & PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The 2023-24 Healthy Schools Initiative (HSI) Wellness Team: Minah Shah (PVSD), Director of Healthy Schools Initiative Ann Wasson, Nell Curran (LLESD), Patrinia Redd (RCSD), Kristen Sevillia (BRSSD) and Chris Arrington (MPVSD) Not pictured: Stephen Emmi (SUHSD), Sheila Brar (SCSD)

HEALTH & SAFETY & NUTRITION EDUCATION

HEALTHY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE (HSI) THE PARENT VENTURE As they begin their 19th season, The Parent Education Series, a program of nonprofit The Parent Venture, is proud to offer inclusive, high-quality parent and community education to families served by Sequoia Healthcare District. The Parent Venture was founded in 2018 to extend the reach of their programming to more parents, caregivers, educators, health professionals, and community members.

From the beginning, we have partnered with The Parent venture, supporting their work to deliver timely, research-based education on critical issues — mental health, substance use, digital media, and more — that impact the health and well-being of children and teens.

This year, they launched a new Neurodiversity Education Series in collaboration with Silicon Valley nonprofit organizations (Children’s Health Council, REEL2e, Compass, The RILEY Project). We look forward to events on emotional regulation, executive functioning, gender identity, and digital media in the neurodiverse community, as well as a robust new 2024-25 Parent Education Series!

Parent Venture Video Series Did you know the Parent Venture offers a FREE video library consisting of past events? We encourage you to explore it and delve into recordings covering a wide array of the most pressing topics.

HSI SCHOOL DISTRICTS 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 to address. Read more to find out other ways we support our HSI Districts.

San Carlos School District (SCSD)

In the San Carlos School District, One Life Counseling mental health associates and interns provided one on one therapy to their students who are experiencing mental health concerns that are impacting the students ability to access their education. One Life associates work collaboratively with school site staff, counselors, and psychologists to ensure care is comprehensive and individualized to support each student. With our support, One Life associates provided 150 hours of therapy and collaboration with school mental health teams every week. This unique partnership with One Life Counseling allows SCSD to offer therapy services at school to students with emerging mental health concerns.

Sequoia Union High School District (SUHSD)

SUHSD Wellness has grown tremendously this past school year. In particular MenloAtherton worked with their Wellness Youth Council to name and execute PAWS - Peace and Wellness Space. PAWS is a structured place where students can go to gain skills to cope with school and life. They are confident that students will get what they need and be able to return to class ready to engage.

Las Lomitas Elementary School District (LLESD) Kindergarteners at Las Lomitas learned to ride two-wheeled bicycles during PE as part of the All Kids Bike program, which provides transitional bicycles, helmets, and a multiweek curriculum to schools. The District, therefore, is in the process of developing a comprehensive pedestrian and bicycling program that will teach and reinforce skills throughout the K-8 years, from safe walking to bicycle maintenance to proper e-bike use.

TOTAL INVESTED:

$5M 28K STUDENTS IMPACTED

7 SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Belmont-Redwood Shores School District (BRSSD)

Menlo Park City School District (MPCSD)

MPCSD has been able to strengthen both the nursing and mental health programs in all schools. MPCSD recognizes the link between student health and learning and desires to provide a comprehensive approach supporting physical and mental well-being. One highlight of this past year has been their work with Project Cornerstone, partially funded by an HSI grant. This grant provided by Sequoia Healthcare District helped fund parent workshops and professional development resources to middle school counselors, paraeducators, and teacher aides to best support students and their families.

All BRSSD employees were invited to participate in a unique and exciting opportunity to strengthen their well-being and resilience. The Mindfulness & Wellbeing Workshop for Educators was a highly interactive and engaging workshop series where employees focused on themselves as educators. The Mindfulness & Wellbeing Workshop for Educators was made possible because of our partnership with the Sequoia Healthcare District and the Healthy School Initiative Grant.

Portola Valley School District (PVSD)

PVSD continues to provide SEL (Social Emotional Literacy) and PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports) to students in the form of a check-in/check-out program, buddies, grade level intervention meetings and more. Sequoia Healthcare District has been instrumental in supporting PVSD with both wellness initiatives (e.g., Universal Screener) and staff & community wellness (Care Solace).

Redwood City School District (RCSD)

With funding from SHD, Sonrisas Dental Health, a non-profit dental organization, provided oral health education and free dental screenings to TK and Kindergarten students, along with children in the CDC and SDC programs, in Redwood City School District this year. A total of 917 students were screened in the Redwood City School District, while other screenings took place with students grades 1-7 who were referred for a screening.

APPRECIATING Our Non-Profit Partners

CARING COMMUNITY GRANTS New Grantees Belmont Rotary Boys and Girls Club of the Peninsula Catholic Charities Children's Health Council El Concilio Family Connections San Mateo Police Activities League Upward Scholars Whole Health for Youth Food & Nutrition City of San Carlos Peninsula Volunteers, Inc Second Harvest of Silicon Valley Society of St. Vincent de Paul St. Anthony's Padua Dining Room Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention Adolescent Counseling Services El Centro de Libertad / The Freedom Center The Latino Commission Service League Clinical Mission Hospice & Home Care National Center for Equine Therapy Planned Parenthood

Behavioral Supports Adolescent Counseling Services Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse (CORA) Downtown Streets Team Friends for Youth Kara Life Moves One Life Peninsula Bridge Planned Parenthood Mar Monte San Mateo County Sherrif's Activities League Star Vista Health: Youth & Adults Ability Path Adaptive P.E. CASA of SMC Edgewood Jasper Ridge PARCA Redwood City PAL Redwood City Together St. Francis Center Vista Center Health: Seniors Catholic Charities Foster City Village Jewish Family & Children's Services Ombudsman Peninsula Family Services Peninsula Volunteers Rebuilding Together Villages of San Mateo County SHD 16

APPRECIATING Our Non-Profit Partners cont.

HEALTHY SCHOOLS INITIATIVE GRANTS Nutrition Education Adelante Selby Each Green Corner Sager Family Farm School-based Healthy Living Program Health & Safety Addiction Education Society El Centro de Libertad San Carlos Charter Learning Center StarVista Health Literacy & Physical Education Health Connected Peninsula Community Center St. Francis Center Mental Health & Social Emotional Learning Acknowledge Alliance Adolescent Counseling Services Center for Wellness & Achievement in Education Friends For Youth Jasper Ridge Farm Mission Be One Life Counseling San Carlos Charter Learning Center Summit Prep StarVista YMCA

EQUITY, INNOVATION, AND COLLABORATION (EIC) GRANTS BGCP Psychotherapy LifeMoves LVN First 5 SMC PJCC Pink Power Pink Ribbon Good Ravenswood Samaritan House SMMC Dental SMC Health Foundation SNAP Chef Club EPiC - Woodside CERT CWAE Integrative Wellness SMC Navigation Center Health Plan of San Mateo Peninsula Volunteers Rideshare Sonrisas Dental

ART FARO FOOD GRANTS The Art Faro Food grants were awarded in collaboration with Dignity Health Sequoia Hospital.

Community & Family Engagement Parent Venture United Through Education Youth Community Service

LifeMoves

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Ecumenical Hunger Project

Friends of the Veterans Memorial Center Karat School Project Upward Scholars

Zone A

525 Veterans Blvd, Redwood City, CA 94063

facebook.com/shealthdistrict 650-421-2155

Our Mission:

@shealthdistrict seqhd.org

Pledge

Cities within SHD Boundaries

We strive to return to the community 100% of the net tax revenue within three years in health-related programs and services.

Mission To improve the health of District residents by enhancing access to care and promoting wellness through responsible stewardship of District taxpayer dollars.

Vision For all District residents to experience optimal physical and mental health at every stage of life.

Board of Directors

Staff

Aaron Nayfack, MD

Pamela Kurtzman, MPH

President

Ivan Martinez

Vice-President

Kim Griffin, RN

Secretary/Treasurer

Jerry Shefren, MD Director

William Fong, PharmD, JD Director

Chief Executive Officer

Heidi Stamper

Clerk of the Board

Jenny Bratton The 1st of 79 Health

Director of Grants &Districts Partnerships in California

Ann Wasson

Director of School Health

Luz Garcia

Communications and Engagement Officer