Regularly scheduled PSN events are virtual until further notice.
Project Safety Net (PSN) Community Meetings feature Project Safety Net updates, collaboration development and coordination work, as well as discussions with youth leaders and community partners working in the areas of youth well-being and suicide prevention. Volunteer/service hours are available to students attending PSN meetings.
Time: Generally, on the 4th Wednesdays of the month from 3:30 – 5:00 pm
Location: Currently virtual
Schedule: We are aiming to update the schedule of community meetings by the end of March 2023!
Contact: If you have any questions or ideas, please reach out to PSN Program Coordinator, Peying Lee (she/her), at [email protected].
Updated 03-03-23
2023 Community Meetings
- Feb 22, 2023
PSN’s Year Ahead and Year Past: A New Strategic Plan for the Next Three Years
Project Safety Net’s CEO and Board of Directors will unveil PSN’s inaugural Strategic Plan for the next three years. They will also share highlights from the past year and discuss PSN’s work in the year ahead.
- Jan 18, 2023
Santa Clara County MHSA North County Community Conversation
PSN and Santa Clara County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) hosted a community listening session about mental health and substance use services and needs in the county. The input and feedback help inform priorities, programs, and policies in Santa Clara County’s Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) plan.
2022 Community Meetings
- December 13, 2022
Updates on Project Safety Net’s Strategic Planning: A Community Conversation
Arthur Barinque (he/they) and Ronesha Jackson (she/her) from Center for Excellence in Nonprofits (CEN) presented preliminary findings from PSN’s strategic planning.- 12-13-22 PSN Community Meeting Agenda
- 12-13-22 PSN Slide Deck
- 12-13-22 CEN Slide Deck: Project Safety Net – Community Conversation Strategic Plan Update
- October 26, 2022
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Mental Wellness and Suicide Prevention
Jack Roach (he/him) from LGBTQ Wellness provided a workshop covering affirming language and behaviors; historical challenges and biases that impact LGBTQIA+ wellbeing; and the protective factors in LGBTQIA+ communities.- 10-26-22 PSN Community Meeting Agenda
- 10-26-22 PSN Slide Deck
- 10-26-22 PSN Community Meeting Video Recording
- LGBTQ Wellness Slide Deck: SOGIE Part 2 – Mental Health and the LGBTQ+ Community
- Note: see PSN’s 6-28-22 community meeting below for SOGIE Part 1.
- September 14, 2022
Meet and Greet Palo Alto Chief of Police Andrew Binder
We heard Chief Binder’s hopes and goals for youth wellbeing. We got to hear from him the Palo Alto Police Department’s priorities to enhance community safety and make community connections.
- August 31, 2022
2nd PSN Kicks off September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
Christina Cappello (she/her) from American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Greater San Francisco Bay Area gave a Talk Saves Lives presentation, offering an introduction to suicide prevention. We learned about the latest data on suicide in the U.S. and the world, prevention strategies, and how to get help for someone in suicidal crisis.
- June 28, 2022
Uplifting Intersectionality and Diversity: An Introduction to SOGIE and LGBTQIA+ Mental Health and Suicide Prevention- 6-28-22 PSN Community Meeting Agenda
- 6-28-22 PSN Community Meeting Video Recording
- 6-28-22 PSN Community Meeting Agenda
- May 31, 2022
Mobile Mental Health Care in Santa Clara County
In honor of May Mental Health Matters Month, PSN held a community forum about mobile mental health care services in Santa Clara County. A panel discussed mobile mental health services: Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), Mobile Response and Stabilization Services (MRSS), Psychiatric Emergency Response Team (PERT), and Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST).- 5-31-22 PSN Community Forum Public Agenda and Meet the Speakers
- Moderator: Zena Andreani, MS, AMFT, Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Center Assistant Director at StarVista Crisis Center
- Bruce Copley, he/him, MA – Access and Unplanned Services Director and Alcohol and Other Drugs Administrator, County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health
- Karen Meagher, she/her, MS, LMFT – Bay Area Region Clinical Director, Pacific Clinics
- Officer Daniel Cuevas, he/him, MSc – Psychiatric Emergency Response Team, City of Palo Alto Police Department
- Holly Merrill, she/her, LMFT – Psychiatric Emergency Response Team, City of Palo Alto Police Department
- 5-31-22 PSN Community Forum Slide Deck
- 5-31-22 PSN Community Forum Video Recording
- County of Santa Clara Behavioral Health Services’ presentation
- Palo Alto Police Department’s Psychiatric Emergency Response Team’s presentation
- Pacific Clinics’ presentation
- 5-31-22 PSN Community Forum Public Agenda and Meet the Speakers
- April 27, 2022
Community of Care: Supporting Youth
At this community meeting, we learned from allcove Palo Alto’s staff: Maryna Pim (she/her), mental health professional; Faith Bucani (she/her), peer support specialist; and Gavi Bucio (she/her), peer support specialist. Meeting participants shared highlights from smaller group discussions including spreading the word about allcove and outreach to faith communities. Check out community announcements in the community meeting agenda document.
- 4-27-22 PSN Community Meeting Agenda
- 4-27-22 PSN Community Meeting Slide Deck
- 4-27-22 PSN Community Meeting Video Recording
- allcove presentation
- Community’s questions answered: allcove Q&A (ver. 6, 5-09-22)
- Mar 30, 2022
Discover Project Safety Net: The Power of Coalition in Youth Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention
At this first official PSN community meeting of the year, we heard PSN Board leaders share hopes for community-driven coalition. PSN CEO Mary Gloner (she/siya) presented on PSN’s collective impact, past year’s highlights, and upcoming plans. Meeting participants discussed strategic opportunities for youth mental health promotion and suicide prevention.
- Feb 24, 2022
Community Conversation on Santa Clara County’s Mental Health and Substance Use Services
PSN and Santa Clara County Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) hosted a community listening session to inform mental health and substance use services in the county and the priorities, programs, and policies for July 2023 – June 2026.- MHSA Survey – Community encouraged to participate. Survey is in multiple languages and closed March 25, 2022.
2021 Community Meetings
- Sept 24, 2021
Virtual PSN Policy and Advocacy Community Event
The Power of Community: Shaping Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Policies
PSN’s Policy and Advocacy Co-Chair Diana Bautista opened up the event. Co-chair Onaiza Kazi moderated presentations and Q&A. To help discuss youth suicide prevention and mental health policies from past, present, and future perspectives, we heard from: Supervisor Joe Simitian, County of Santa Clara Board of Supervisors District 5; Assemblymember Marc Berman, California State Assembly District 24; Mary Gloner (she/siya), Project Safety Net CEO; and Alex Briscoe, California Children’s Trust Principal.
- Sept 22, 2021
Virtual PSN Community Forum
Building a Resilient Community with Our Youth: Self-Care for the Supporters
In honor of September Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, PSN highlighted the power of self-care in promoting youth mental health and suicide prevention. We were thrilled to learn from Lucia Ramirez (she/her), AMFT, Acknowledge Alliance psychotherapist; Susan Ramsundarsingh (she/her), PhD, SKY Schools’ National Director of Research; and Martha Zambrano (she/her), LMFT, La Selva Community Clinic’s Program Manager. After hearing from the community panel, participants paired up to discuss self-care.
- Sept 2, 2021
Virtual PSN Community Event
PSN Kicks Off September 2021 Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
PSN presented community engagement activities throughout September. Participants shared ideas and engaged in a Know the Signs activity!
- May 26, 2021
Virtual PSN Community Forum
Acknowledging a Changed Generation: Building a Resilient Community with Youth
PSN celebrated its official nonprofit debut during May Mental Health Awareness Month. Continuing to live in the COVID-19 pandemic environment and trying to figure out next steps, we also reflected on the impacts of the past year. PSN hosted a panel representing youth, adults, school, and mental health professional perspectives on experiences, lessons, and hopes of the pandemic era to support the youth in our communities. We heard from Hanna Suh (she/her), Project Oyster Founder; Dr. Alayna Park (she/her), Palo Alto University Assistant Professor; Genavae Dixon (she/her), Gunn High School Wellness Center staff; Jesse Ladomirak (she/her), PAUSD School Board Member; and William Blair (he/him), Mountain View Los Alto School District Wellness Coordinator.
2020 Community Meetings
- June 25, 2020
Virtual PSN Community Meeting
PSN Partners Meeting: The New Chapter of Our Collective Impact
While PSN prepared its transition to independence on July 1st, the PSN Board 2020-21 introduced themselves at a Partners Meeting and responded to questions from the community.
Note: We apologize that the video does not have audio in the latter half of the meeting (Video Recording Part 2) due to technical issues. Additional questions and unanswered questions can be sent to [email protected]. - June 18, 2020
PSN and Youth Partners Present Virtual Youth Convening
Youth Mental Wellness Through and Past COVID-19: Tackling Stress, Burn-out, and Communication Challenges
This youth-driven convening brought together young people across the community. The aim was to build understanding on youth mental health, well-being, and suicide prevention during the pandemic environment.
- Agenda 6-18
- 6-18-2020 Youth Convening Slide Deck
- 6-18-2020 Notes from Break-out Groups
- Draft_Youth Steering Committee Members List
- 6-18 Local Mental Health & COVID-19 Resources
- 6-18 Youth Convening by GW+KW – designed by Grace Williams and Kate Williams
- Youth Steering Committee 6-18 Wellness Resources – designed by Helena Cirne
- May 20, 2020
Virtual PSN Community Meeting
Be Sensitive, Be Brave for Mental Health training
Project Safety Net hosted an online mental health training offered by Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Program and Dr. Joyce Chu (she/her) of Palo Alto University. This culturally-sensitive training provided foundational information on mental health and distress. Participants defined mental health and identified someone in mental distress; practiced the “be sensitive, be brave” approach; and identified mental health resources. - Apr 29, 2020
Virtual PSN Community Meeting
The New Reality of Youth Well-being Promotion and Suicide Prevention:
Strengthening Collaborations in a COVID-19 Pandemic Environment
An online community meeting to strengthen collective efforts in advancing youth well-being and suicide prevention through COVID-19 pandemic environment. Student-run podcast, Project Oyster, hosted the meeting’s opening community panel representing youth, parent, school system, behavioral and mental health system, and faith community perspectives. We heard from the Erika Cisneros (all pronouns) and Alex (they/he), an LGBTQ+ Youth Advocate, LGBTQ Youth Space; Kimberly Eng (she/her/hers), Gunn High School’s PTSA President; Miriam Stevenson (she/her/hers), PAUSD’s Director of Student Wellness and Support Services; Lisa Miller, CASSY’s Program Manager; Pastor Paco Lopez, Peninsula Bible Church’s High School Pastor. After the community panel, participants exchanged resources and ideas in smaller discussion groups.- Agenda 4-29
- Slide Deck 4-29
- Summary of Pre-Community Meeting Survey’s Responses on Resources, Services, and Needs
- Draft Notes from 4-29 PSN Virtual CM
- Meeting’s Local Mental Health and COVID-19 Resources
- HEARD Alliance’s-Stanford’s Wellbeing and Stress Mgmt. Resources during COVID-19
- Learn about PSN’s Mission and Vision Statements
- Feb 26, 2020
PSN Community Meeting on Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Suicide Prevention
Partnering with Palo Alto University and Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Program, PSN hosted Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Suicide Prevention training from 3:30-5:30 pm. Afterwards, training participants had opportunity to stay for a debrief and conversation on the role of culture in suicide prevention efforts.
- Jan 22, 2020
PSN Community Meeting on Partners-in-Action and Community Networking
At this community meeting, we learned from Director Priya Mayureshwar (she/her/hers) of SKY Schools- BayArea and Program Manager Pedro Rivas (he/him/his) of DreamCatchers. SKY Schools provides students across the Bay Area with hands-on tools like breathing techniques to manage emotions and stress. DreamCatchers mentors students in Palo Alto who are first-generation or come from low-income, underrepresented communities. PSN announced the upcoming culturally-tailored training courses in February and March. Also, Collaborative Action Teams (CATs) are in motion!
*Please note the updated and official names of the training courses are Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Suicide Prevention and Be Sensitive, Be Brave: Mental Health.- Agenda 1-22
- Slide Deck 1-22
- SKY Schools Bay Area Presentation
- SKY Schools Bay area video clip
- DreamCatchers Presentation (coming soon!)
2019 Community Meetings
*No community meetings occurred during March, July, December
- Nov 20, 2019
PSN Community Meeting- Coalition-in-Action: Emerging Partnerships
PSN hosted a youth leader and a new partner at this community meeting! Annie Reynolds, organizer of Palo Alto History Museum’s Teen Advisory Council, told us more the emerging youth group. Zakia Houston, Program Lead of Substance Use Prevention Services, presented on Alum Rock Counseling Center.
PSN Executive Director Mary Gloner revealed PSN Leadership Team’s Strategic Roadmap priorities for 2019-2020. Partners were and are encouraged to join Collaborative Action Teams (CATs) for 2019-2020.
- Oct 23, 2019
PSN Community Meeting- Evaluation and Shared Measurement
At this community meeting, thanks to our PSN graduate intern Joyce’s vision, we went over anti-bullying awareness (October is National Bullying Prevention Month) and discussed the importance of data in PSN’s work. Here are PSN’s ongoing evaluation projects – participating in the Collective Impact Data Accelerator and pushing forth Search Institute’s Developmental Relationships Pilot Survey. We also heard from Becky Beacom, Health Education Manager at Palo Alto Medical Foundation, on Data – Palo Alto Youth Voices.
- Sept 25, 2019
PSN Community Meeting- PSN’s Year-in-Review and HEARD Alliance’s K-12 Toolkit on Mental Health Promotion & Suicide Prevention
September was Suicide Prevention Awareness and Action Month. PSN Executive Director Mary Gloner showed highlights by PSN’s Strategic Roadmap Goals as well as provided reflections from the previous year and priorities for the upcoming year.
Presentation by Mego Lien, Suicide Prevention Manager at Santa Clara County Behavioral Services and Dr. Shashank Joshi, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stanford University.
- August 28, 2019
PSN Community Forum- School-based Initiatives for Youth Wellness
This was the inaugural August Community Forum focused on school systems. Keynote speaker Palo Alto Unified School District’s Superintendent Don Austin offered insight into the PAUSD Promise. We also heard from a panel of district and school staff, youth mental health leaders from Gunn’s and Paly’s Sources of Strength clubs, and parents from PTA-C on their youth mental health and suicide prevention efforts.
- June 26, 2019
PSN Community Forum- The Power of LGBTQ+ Youth Voice to Shape Policy and Advocacy
For Pride Month, PSN intern Max inspired this community forum’s topic to revolve around young people in the LGBTQ+ community getting involved and having their voices heard. Keynote speaker Ken Yeager, former County Supervisor and current BAYMEC Executive Director, spoke of LGBTQ+ history and politics in Santa Clara County. Panelists- Joseph, Gunn GSA; Warren, Paly alum; Diana, Outlet; Matt, LGBTQ+ Youth Space; and Ana, allcove, shared their experiences and advocacy efforts for the youth in the LGBTQ+ community.
- May 22, 2019
PSN Community Meeting- Developing a Community of Care
What does a community of care look like and how do we foster it? At this community meeting, attendees learned about May Mental Health Awareness Month updates and wrote letters of encouragement to youth! The meeting featured panelists from YMCA/YCS’s teen LEAD program, CHC, and Menlo Church. Additionally, Paly high school student Noor, mentored by PSN’s Executive Director Mary Gloner, presented her Advanced Authentic Research (AAR) presentation, “The Importance of Culturally Responsive Therapy for Palo Alto High School Teens”.
- April 24, 2019
PSN Community Meeting- Unveiling PSN’s New Mission and Vision Statements
PSN presented its new mission and vision statements with the help of PSN Leadership Team members and youth in the audience! The community meeting also featured youth partners and podcast creators, Project Oyster.
- Feb 27, 2019
PSN Strategic Roadmap Meeting- Defining Mission and Vision Statements
At this strategic meeting, PSN bid farewell to Rob De Geus (Deputy City Manager of Palo Alto before his departure) who helped establish and chair PSN previously. PSN also invited Amari Romero-Thomas of Mosaic Consulting to take community partners through understanding survey results and drafting new PSN mission and vision statements.
- Jan 23, 2019
PSN Strategic Roadmap Meeting- 2018 Reflections and 2019 Priorities
PSN Executive Director Mary Gloner went over PSN’s move towards long-term sustainability and fiscal independence, updating organization’s mission and vision, and PSN Leadership Team’s 2019 Priorities. Next, participants split into small groups to discuss engaging the community in CAT.
2018 Community Meetings
*No community meetings occurred during March, July, December
- Nov 28, 2018
PSN Community Meeting- Partner-in-Action: Sources of Strength
Youth leaders provided an overview of Sources of Strength at Palo Alto High School and Gunn High School! They shared vocabulary and discussed how parents, teachers, and students can work together at home to help with suicide prevention as well as bullying prevention efforts. - Oct 24, 2018
PSN Community Meeting- Evaluation and Shared Measurement
Santa Clara County Public Health Department introduced their newly launched open data portal. Open to the public, the portal provides local data on topics such as Community Health Assessments, Maternal and Child Health, and Injury and Violence. - Sept 26, 2018
PSN Community Meeting- Partner-in-Action: Adolescent Counseling Services
Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) provided a comprehensive overview of their programs that serve Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
- June 27, 2018
PSN Community Meeting- Supporting & Partnering with LGBTQ+ Youth: What It Truly Means To Be An Ally
In commemoration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, PSN featured community leaders/LGBTQ+ allies to discuss their work supporting LGBTQ+ youth, and shared what they’ve learned from youth regarding what it means to be an ally. Presentations were delivered by Joel Siapno, RN, co-chair of the Palo Alto Unified School District’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQQ) Committee, Sarah Burdge, PhD, Clinical Director of Adolescent Counseling Services’ program Outlet, and PFLAG member Jerry Underdal. - May 23, 2018
PSN Community Forum- A Discussion with Advocates: Opportunities for Improving Youth Well-being through Policy and Advocacy
Leading advocates representing local, state, and national organizations highlighted opportunities to support legislation that seeks to improve youth well-being and suicide prevention. Presentations were delivered by community leaders representing organizations, such as the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), Palo Alto Family YMCA, the Santa Clara County Suicide Prevention Program, and Young Minds Advocacy. - April 25, 2018
PSN Community Meeting- Innovative Approaches to Youth Well-being
Mary Hofstedt, Ed.M., Community Engagement Director of Challenge Success delivered a presentation on her organization’s work, and how their programs are implemented in schools to promote a broad definition of success so that students are healthy and engaged with learning. Palo Alto’s new chief of police, Chief Robert Jonsen introduced himself to community members, and shared his priorities for the Palo Alto Police Department.- PSN Community Meeting Agenda 4-25-18
- PSN Community Meeting Slide Deck 4-25-18
- Why Challenge Success? Changing the Conversation to Support Student Wellbeing & Engagement
- Presentation by Chief Robert Jonsen 4-25-18
- Partner-In-Action Overview- Challenge Success- 4-25-18
- Brief Biography- Robert Jonsen, Chief of Police
- March 28, 2018
PSN Community Forum- Youth Mental Health Care Services- Youth Intensive Outpatient Programs: A Community Snapshot
Local representatives from youth-serving mental health organizations provided overviews of their Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOPs), and shared their thoughts on future opportunities for improving youth mental health.- PSN Community Forum Video 3-28-18
- PSN Community Forum Agenda 3-28-18
- PSN Community Forum Slide Deck 3-28-18
- ACS- Overview of Intensive Outpatient Programs
- Santa Clara County Behavioral Health Care Services- Navigating Intensive Outpatient Programs
- El Camino Hospital- After School Program Interventions and Resiliency Education (ASPIRE)
- Bay Area Clinical Associates- Intensive Outpatient Programs
- Children’s Health Council- Intensive Outpatient Programs 3-28-18
- Community Forum Featured Organizations- 3-28-18
- Community Forum Featured Speaker Bios- 3-28-18
- February 28, 2018
PSN Community Meeting- Portraits of Mental Health and Well-being
At this community meeting, PSN featured a special Partner-In-Action presentation by Sarah E. Kremer, Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, Board Certified Art Therapist, and PhD Candidate. Ms. Kremer shared her doctoral project involving a collaboration between Notre Dame de Namur University, Acknowledge Alliance, and Stanford University Center for Youth Mental Health & Wellbeing, and led an interactive experiential activity for meeting participants, giving them an opportunity to create their own Portrait of Mental Health using digital tools. The presentation opened up a discussion on the benefits of art therapy, and its role in promoting mental health.
- January 24, 2018
PSN Community Meeting- Sustainability and Resiliency
As a follow up to November’s convening, this community meeting was focused on discussing sustainability and resiliency, as it relates to PSN’s collaboration development and coordination work. The backbone team also provided a review of PSN’s program work in 2017, and shared a 2018 Calendar of Events. Leif Erickson, Executive Director of Youth Community Service (YCS) announced two job openings at his organization.
2017 Community Meetings
- October 25, 2017
On October 25, Project Safety Net hosted a forum featuring an overview and discussion with community leaders of the Developmental Assets survey findings for Palo Alto.- PSN Community Forum Slide Deck 10-25-17
- PSN Community Forum Agenda 10-25-17
- Project Cornerstone Presentation- Developmental Assets in Palo Alto
- PAMF/Sutter Presentation by Becky Beacom- Value of Developmental Assets and Data to Student Well Being
- 2017 Palo Alto Unified School District Developmental Assets Survey Results
- November 29, 2017
On November 29th, Project Safety Net featured Counseling and Support Services for Youth (CASSY) as PSN’s Partner-In-Action. Christy Hayes, CASSY Executive Director and Jessica Clark, CASSY Site Coordinator presented the organization’s work throughout the region and the services they provide to Palo Alto Unified School District students K-12. PSN Executive Director Mary Gloner also shared “Sustaining Collective Impact,” a video webinar from the Collective Impact Forum. - September 27, 2017
On September 27, PSN Youth-In-Action partner and Gunn High School sophmore Meghna Singh presented findings from her self-directed research project “The Life Trajectories of Palo Alto Unified School District Alumni.” Partner-In-Action Children’s Health Council’s Laura Keller provided an overview of CHC’s Youth Mental Health Navigation Project, and obtained community feedback. PSN Executive Director Mary Gloner provided Executive Director’s report and round-up of Suicide Prevention Awareness & Action Month. - August 23, 2017
PSN Collaborative Action Teams Meeting
On August 23, Nadia Ghaffari, founder of TeenzTalk.org was featured as PSN’s Partner-In-Action. Ms. Ghaffari shared information about the Teen Wellness Conference that will be held on September 30th. Executive Director Mary Gloner provided an overview of PSN 2.0 activities to date, and initiated a discussion with community members regarding prioritizing strategies for Year 1 of the 2017-2020 Road Map/Strategic Plan. - June 28, 2017
The LGBTQ Youth Space was featured as PSN’s Partner-In-Action. Vivian Nguyen, PSN’s Social Justice Intern was spotlighted as a Youth-In-Action presenter for her “May is Mental Health Awareness Month” art project. PSN Executive Director Mary Gloner provided an update on PSN 2.0, sharing a preliminary list of Collaborative Action Team partners, and the activities they identified as key priorities for implementing the PSN 2.0 Road Map/Strategic Plan. - May 24, 2017
Collaborative Action Teams Meeting Kickoff
On May 24, 2017 Project Safety Net hosted a collaborative learning session on the Collective Impact Workgroup Tool Kit and community members activated 4 Collaborative Action Teams: (1) Community Education, Outreach, and Training; (2) Youth Mental Health Care Services; (3) Policy and Advocacy; (4) Evaluation and Shared Measurement. Materials from that meeting can be accessed below: - March 29, 2017
Project Safety Net 2.0 Rollout- Presentations Available!
Project Safety Net convened a special planning meeting to discuss future goals and objectives for 2017-2019. Materials from that meeting can be accessed below: