Representatives from the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants (SARE, also referred to as CERI in materials) presented to the commission about their work delivering culturally rooted mental health and social services in the Bay Area.

Laura Coelho, Director of Communications and Evaluation, and Kate Wadsworth, Clinical Director, described programs that serve survivors of war, torture and other trauma from communities across Asia and the world. They said SARE serves roughly 1,200 people annually, provides services in more than 25 languages, operates a monthly psychiatry clinic (pro bono), runs clinical training and lay-counselor programs, and integrates arts and cultural practices into healing activities.

Presenters emphasized that community-defined, culturally-grounded approaches reduce stigma and improve engagement in mental health care. They outlined training initiatives for clinicians (internal family systems/parts work), an upcoming interpreter training for mental health contexts, and local advocacy relating to Measure W and other housing efforts. They also highlighted a youth-led Khmer dance troupe and community storytelling projects used for outreach and stigma reduction.

Commissioners asked about how immigration enforcement affects participation; presenters said they have pivoted to virtual groups and ‘know your rights’ red-card trainings and have observed that some participants avoid in-person services when removal risk is high. Commissioners also asked about pathways to sustainability; presenters supported options beyond Medi-Cal certification for some community-based programs and recommended flexible funding to sustain CDEPs.

Commissioners thanked SARE for the presentation and encouraged continued collaboration to ensure culturally relevant services are included in state funding strategies.