‘We cannot do this work alone’

So when he became the director of the county’s Office of Diversity and Equity in the Health System’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Division just under 11 years ago, it seemed like a natural step to focus on some of the cultural barriers preventing those in need of the services offered by the Health System.

“I really sort of learned how to sort of navigate our systems with the most difficult circumstances [in mind],” he said. “Being a survivor, having a substance abuse issue and now having a mental health and substance abuse issue and seeing the impact of social determinants: class, gender, low income, food insecurity, social disconnectedness … all of those things really affect people’s health.”

And as Africa moves into a new post as Marin County’s Behavioral Health and Recovery Services Director, he’s had an opportunity to reflect on just how critical multi-cultural awareness has been during his tenure with the county. Though Africa had a view into the spectrum of issues county residents were facing when it comes to mental health, it wasn’t until he filled the county post that he saw the various obstacles they and their families faced in finding ways to address them.

Community investment

Africa said trips to the emergency room or encounters with the criminal justice system are, for some, the first time they might confront the idea they or family members are struggling with mental health issues. He added that the high cost of living in the Bay Area — which forces many to work multiple jobs or wonder where they’re going to be living in a month — doesn’t bode well for clients working through mental health conditions.

“I think the need is just big,” he said. “I think that’s just the reality. The need is big and the resources are limited.”

Africa said he realized the county can play a role in connecting clients with the resources making these challenges more manageable, but also that many faced barriers when it came to accessing them. Adjusting the hours of clinics so they are open during lunchtime opened a new window for clients who could only come during weekdays and offering child care, books and meals to parents attending educational programs are among the changes Africa said county health providers are implementing to consider their clients’ circumstances.

In working closely with county clients, Africa found working with community groups invested in their members’ health to be especially effective in reducing barriers specific to certain cultures or backgrounds. By forming partnerships with groups focused on issues African-American, Chinese, Filipino, Latino, Native American and Pacific Islander residents are facing and working closely with faith-based organizations and other groups, a larger subset of the community has been able to weigh in on how county policies and resources are shaped.

Pride Center

Africa noted a long history of marginalization has contributed to a feeling of mistrust of government among members of these groups, such as members of the LGBTQ+ community, who have in the past faced challenges in receiving care from health providers or have not sought care because of safety issues related to coming out about their sexual identity. Efforts like the one taken on by several nonprofits and the county Board of Supervisors to establish the first San Mateo County Pride Center in San Mateo last year have given Africa hope that the community is engaging in the process of developing resources better tailored to their needs.

For Stephanie Weisner, chief program officer at the San Carlos-based nonprofit StarVista, Africa’s focus on making access to health care equitable for all county residents marked his tenure at the county. Having worked with Africa on ensuring health care providers, such as StarVista — which offers counseling and crisis prevention services — are trained to identify and address possible barriers to care, Weisner said Africa has gone even further to find ways to engage family members, parents and clients in developing resources that most affect them.

“What’s so special about him is he works so well with others to help make that happen,” she said, adding that Africa’s talks are often the highlight of events she’s attended. “He’s very inspiring to work with.”

Evolving role

Africa credited Health System leadership for empowering him to think creatively about the best way to tackle their clients’ challenges across a broad network, noting his role evolved over the years to include maintenance of several relationships with community partners. Though he didn’t think he would stay in the role for a long time when he took the position, he found he enjoyed problem solving with an office that grew to some 16 staff members.

“You get to really meet people, there is no dull moment for me,” he said.

Louise Rogers, chief of San Mateo County Health System, praised Africa’s courage to be his authentic self and lead by example, which she said allowed the Health System to create safe spaces for staff, clients and community partners and give voice to their experiences.

“Those voices are key to all of our work to improve the services we provide,” she said in an email. “We are grateful to Jei for his role in opening the door to those voices.”

Africa noted the challenge of moving away from work that has offered him so much, but said he hoped to take what he has learned from those he has met and apply it to his work in Marin County. He said his work within the Health System has impressed upon him the importance of working with partners and including the perspectives of everyone in a community to solve problems.

Having moved from the Philippines to California to pursue his doctoral degree, the 47-year-old said he didn’t imagine growing so much in his understanding of social justice and is grateful to San Mateo County for offering him so many opportunities to learn.

“Caring about people, caring about [making] other circumstances … better has always been part of what I want,” he said. “We cannot do this work alone. That’s a lesson that I have learned and learned and learned over time.”

anna@smdailyjournal.com

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