All individuals discussed the goals and objectives of this project and concluded throughout additional meetings that the Latino populations from both the North and the Southern portion of the county needed to be targeted during this initial phase of the project, as the need was clear and communities could be advised of our efforts within a very short time. Leaders and members of the Latino Community were contacted and met with representatives of the advocacy organizations of COEC, the MHA representatives and county officials during lunch to discuss the critical needs of this community and how an educational forum of this type could be better tailored to increase participation of the community.

Many issues were identified by the community leaders. Many potential goals were identified as representing the diverse and significant need in the region. This educational event became the catalyst for discussion. Goals were refined and ultimately identified as the following:

• Looking at the issues of both cultural and mental health related stigma and how they restrict many of those that need services from participating.
• Housing access - A continual lack of affordable housing for the community contributes to poor mental health
• Identifying ways that problems can be identified within the family environment - that will lead to early help and potentially avoid larger problems later in life.
• A general lack of awareness as to what 'mental health' actually is and what it can mean to the community.

Community involvement was crucial to the success of the planning for the overall project. In addition to the COEC advocacy groups and county and state government organizations, we had participation from the following organizations: 211- San Diego, Latinos y Latinas, Martin Del Campo, The Moses Project, La Maestra Family Clinic, UCSD Geriatric Psychiatry Research Center, Visions, PUH - Bayview, SYSTEMS Case Manager Mental Health, One Step Career Center Oceanside, Sharp Health Care, Family Health Centers of SD, Hospital Association of SD & Imperial Counties, Hemophilia Association, MHCWAR, SDYCS - Teen Choices, Welcome Back Program - Grossmont College, San Ysidro Health Care, and Protection and Advocacy, Inc.

A decision was made by this group that the first event would be structured in a manner that would be a learning experience about the MHSA as well as becoming a launching point for the general community to begin those important discussions about what the future will hold for those individual communities that are willing to discuss mental health among families and other participants.

As a result, the initial outreach event for this county was held December 20th at the Mission Valley Marriott Hotel in San Diego. The focus was building relationships between the mental health system and those that have never been directly involved in the system. Latino Communities from both the northern and southern portions of the county were involved in this initial forum. This population was selected as a result of discussions with the County Mental Health Department, community input and discussions with local COEC representatives. This event was held at the Marriott Hotel, which is central to the location of both areas of the population we were drawing from. COEC partners as well as local community organizations are assisted in direct outreach to this community. The community sees this event as yet another stepping stone to full inclusion of the community in ultimately reaching everyone and educating them about access to mental health, and involvement in the planning process. This event has been designed by the community to ensure that the spirit of planning continues throughout the event and that this does not become a 'dead end' in the community education aspect. This particular event was presented in Spanish, with English translation for those who needed it. Community leaders such as Isabel Vidales and Viviano Criazo were instrumental in facilitation and ensuring translation and focus on the identified needs of the community.

The local NAMI Affiliate, which has been conducting its 'Family to Family' workshops in Spanish during the past year, held an afternoon get-together for families and community members at the conclusion of the educational forum.

County government participation has been extraordinary. The County has committed significant funding for a permanent outreach staff person that will be based at the local MHA.

As a result of the success of our efforts in San Diego County and the commitment of local county officials to community outreach, funding has been provided to MHA- San Diego for a fulltime Outreach worker that will focus specifically on unserved communities. The individual selected for this position was hired in October 2006 and has very quickly energized the local community as to the possibilities that can be achieved with quality outreach. The County has committed solid support behind this project and we will keep you posted on all upcoming developments.