Vanessa Ramos, Program Director of Royal Palms, and Dr. Anna Lee, Director of Innovation at Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS), recently attended a Learning Collaborative hosted in Sacramento at the California Automobile Museum.
This event, organized under the HEAR US grant initiative by the Department of Health Care Services and The Center at Sierra Health Foundation, brought together leaders and healthcare professionals dedicated to expanding access to essential behavioral health services for underserved communities.
The Learning Collaborative served as a dynamic platform for participants to network, share expertise, and build partnerships. Attendees engaged in collaborative discussions focused on harm reduction and peer support services. These sessions emphasized culturally responsive care practices, equipping providers with practical strategies to address the unique needs of diverse communities. This learning environment fostered a spirit of innovation and mutual support as participants explored methods to better serve marginalized populations, including the LGBTQ+ community, unhoused individuals, and other vulnerable groups.
The HEAR US initiative, established with a vision for health equity, aims to reduce systemic disparities in healthcare access. It prioritizes services for communities that have historically faced significant barriers to quality behavioral health care, including racial minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, and persons with disabilities. The grant’s core mission aligns with SMRS’ goal to create accessible, compassionate, and inclusive services that address both the mental health and substance use needs of these populations. By supporting innovative care practices and peer-driven models, HEAR US empowers providers to address the broader social determinants of health that impact underserved communities.
Through the HEAR US grant, SMRS has expanded its Royal Palms program to better support outreach and recovery services for marginalized groups. The addition of a Community Care Advocate and Community Care Coordinator has enabled Royal Palms to conduct critical street-based outreach, focusing specifically on connecting with unhoused individuals who often lack access to traditional healthcare pathways. Moreover, an EMDR Therapist has joined the team, bringing a trauma-informed approach that enhances the quality of care at Royal Palms. This specialized therapeutic intervention allows clients to process trauma more effectively, contributing to more meaningful recovery outcomes.
The Learning Collaborative in Sacramento underscored the collaborative spirit and forward-thinking approach central to the HEAR US initiative. By fostering connections and sharing strategies, the HEAR US grant empowers programs like Royal Palms to advance health equity in tangible, impactful ways. Through a commitment to culturally responsive care, harm reduction, and inclusive outreach, SMRS is setting a new standard in behavioral health, bringing vital services to those who need them most.
