A Q&A with Fiona, RAMS’ 2026 Summer Intern

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As students head back to school, Fiona, RAMS summer intern, reflects on the projects she supported, what she learned about RAMS’ work behind the scenes, and how the experience shaped her professional interests and goals.

What initially interested you in interning at RAMS?

I first became involved with RAMS during high school through RAMS Unity Road Trip. After completing my undergraduate degree, I found myself thinking back to my experience with RAMS and reached out to inquire about internship opportunities. From the beginning, Angela (RAMS President & CEO) made me feel welcomed and connected to the RAMS team and community.

Youth participants of RAMS’ 2022 Unity Road Trip visited Association of Chinese Americans in Detroit.

Can you tell me about your overall experience as a summer intern at RAMS?

My experience as a summer intern at RAMS has been incredibly meaningful. Throughout my internship, I have learned a great deal that will contribute to my future endeavors and graduate studies. Working alongside such a passionate and dedicated group of individuals has inspired me to bring my best to everything I do each day.

Can you share any standout projects you’ve worked on or experiences that had a meaningful impact on you?

This summer, I had the opportunity to work on several projects, including collaborating with Mory, Director of Population-Focused Prevention Early Intervention, on data analysis, as well as researching potential grant opportunities and helping plan for an upcoming youth program. These experiences have taught me so much about working within the nonprofit sector and have given me valuable skills that I can carry forward in my academic and professional journey.

(Photo from L to R): Fiona (RAMS 2026 summer intern), Jaclyn (RAMS Event Manager), and Jonathan (RAMS 2026 summer intern) set up an outreach table to share mental health resources at San Francisco Police Department’s 2026 National Night Out event in Golden Gate Park.

How has this experience shaped your understanding of the importance of mental health and mental health services?

Seeing individuals at RAMS consistently go above and beyond in their work has been a powerful testament to the importance of mental health services. RAMS is truly rooted in the community, empowering individuals through services that support their well-being, strengthen their sense of belonging, and uplift their lives. This experience has deepened my understanding of how essential accessible, compassionate mental health services are to a thriving community.

What are your biggest takeaways from your internship?

My biggest takeaway from this internship has been the importance of bringing passion into every aspect of my work and personal life. RAMS encourages its employees to explore their values and ensure that they align with the organization’s mission. Being part of a community that values inclusion and impact has reinforced how meaningful it can be to do work that reflects your values.

RAMS Inc. Selected as a 2026 Psychiatric Service Achievement Award Recipient by the American Psychiatric Association

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April 10, 2026

San Francisco – RAMS, Inc. is proud to receive the 2026 Psychiatric Service Achievement – Bronze Award by the American Psychiatric Association (APA). The Psychiatric Services Achievement Awards recognize “creative models of service delivery and innovative programs” for people facing mental health challenges or disabilities. RAMS will be recognized alongside East Carolina University in partnership with United Health Group (Gold Award) and Nulton Diagnostic and Treatment Center (Silver Award) for their outstanding contributions to improving access to care for diverse populations at the APA Annual Meeting in San Francisco on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

Founded in San Francisco’s Richmond District in 1974, RAMS is a non-profit mental health organization offering comprehensive services that aim to meet the behavioral health, social, vocational, and educational needs of the diverse communities of the San Francisco Bay Area, with expertise in serving Asian & Pacific Island Americans and Russian-speaking populations. RAMS received the Bronze Award for its community-centered mental health and wellness services across San Francisco and Alameda counties.

Programs including the RAMS’ Street Crisis Response Team (SCRT) reflect this work in practice. Since 2020, RAMS SCRT has partnered with San Francisco city departments to provide citywide, 24-hour, peer-based crisis intervention and community-focused care for individuals experiencing behavioral health crises and substance use challenges. Through January 2026, SCRT has responded to more than 71,454 calls, helping de-escalate crises and connect individuals to medical care, treatment services, and emergency shelter.

This work is further strengthened by RAMS’ Peer Specialist Mental Health Certificate Program, which provides a State of California-certified training program. To date over 500 students completed the program and thousands of participants enriched their skills as counselors, case managers, outreach workers, advocates, and in other peer provider roles.

RAMS CEO Angela Tang shared, ”Being recognized by the APA affirms what we see every day in our communities, that accessible, person-centered care changes outcomes. This work is about meeting people where they are and building trust so support is truly meaningful. We are honored to stand alongside partners and communities who make this possible.”

Additional Award Background:

For over 75 years, the Psychiatric Services Achievement Awards have recognized programs that make significant contributions to the field of mental health. Nominees are evaluated based on innovation, effective use of resources, commitment to quality improvement and measurable outcomes, as well as their ability to overcome obstacles, engage multidisciplinary teams, and involve consumers and families in care. Recipients are selected through a structured review process, with final approval by the Joint Reference Committee and the APA Board of Trustees

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For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:
Domenica Giovannini, RAMS Director of Development & Communications
DomenicaGiovannini@ramsinc.org 

2025 iRAMS Award Recipients Announcement

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Founded on RAMS’ core values – Inclusion, Impact, Insight, Integrity, and Innovation, iRAMS allows us to recognize our values in action. From November 1, 2024 to October 31, 2025 we have received
59 nominations from across 9 RAMS programs.

2025 Inclusion Award Winner:

Repa Tautolo

Peer Supervisor, RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services

This award is given to the RAMS Staff that embodies RAMS’ core value of Inclusion. RAMS defines impact as reflecting our communities’ rich diversity in every aspect of our services and evolve as our communities change.

2025 Impact Award Winner:

Kenny Le

Clinical Manager, RAMS Fu Yau Project

This award is given to the RAMS Staff that embodies RAMS’ core value of Impact. RAMS defines impact as delivering high-quality care and promising practices that result in measurable outcomes for our clients.

2025 Insight Award Winner:

Nayla Jazaierl

Behavioral Health Services Coordinator, RAMS CalWORKs Counseling & Pre-Vocational Services

This award is given to the RAMS Staff that embodies RAMS’ core value of Insight. RAMS defines insight as approaching our work with an understanding of the long-term impacts of trauma and a commitment to ending the stigma around mental health.

2025 Integrity Award Winner:

Amber Perkins-Ellis

Mental Health Counselor, RAMS Kindezi Black Perinatal Wellness

This award is given to the RAMS Staff that embodies RAMS’ core value of Integrity. RAMS defines integrity as being principled, transparent and accountable to our clients, funders and communities.

2025 Innovation Award Winner:

Jei Watkins

Associate Director, RAMS Kindezi Black Perinatal Wellness

This award is given to the RAMS Staff that embodies RAMS’ core value of Innovation. RAMS defines innovation as seeking to continually improve how we serve our communities and acting as a thought leader for mental health and wellness.

2025 Employee of the Year:

Nichole Wong

Peer Operations Supervisor, RAMS Division of Peer-Based Services

In 2025, a special recognition was given to a RAMS staff whose presence and leadership reflect our core values. This award is given to the RAMS Staff that embodies RAMS’ core value of Inclusion, Impact, Insight, Integrity, and Innovation.

RAMS, Inc. Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of New Clement Street Site with Mayor Daniel Lurie and Supervisor Connie Chan

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On January 22, 2026, Richmond Area Multi-Services (RAMS) celebrated the ribbon cutting of its new community mental health site at 601 Clement Street, a significant expansion of culturally responsive mental health and wellness services. Rooted in the Richmond District for over 50 years, RAMS remains deeply connected to the neighborhood while serving clients across San Francisco. This new site is a relocation of programs at RAMS’ original site at 3626 Balboa Street. With this move, RAMS enhances its ability to meet the growing demand for equitable, multilingual care.

The ribbon cutting event included remarks from San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie and District 1 Supervisor Connie Chan, highlighting the City’s investment-based mental health care and community partnership.

The Clement Street site was acquired in 2023 with a $6.5 million state grant with the support of former Assemblymember Philip Ting and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan. It now serves as a hub for the RAMS outpatient behavioral health services for all ages, the High-School Based Wellness Center which provides school-linked youth mental wellness support, and the Training Institute which focuses on training the next generation of clinicians in ethno-centric and culturally informed mental health care.

RAMS CEO and President Angela Tang shared, “This Clement site represents a deeper community investment in care that feels personal, welcoming, and grounded in community trust. For many of the people we serve, it is not just about accessing services, it is about being seen, heard, and supported in a way that honors who they are. This space will help us address the increasing need by allowing us to expand reach and have a greater impact.”

Alumni Spotlight: Sophia Padilla, AMFT, Former Trainee, RAMS Wellness Centers Program

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In addition to having been a clinical intern at the high school based Wellness Centers Program, how have you been connected with RAMS over the years?

My first connection with RAMS actually came through the Summer Bridge program (Miss you SB family- Danni, Ernest, and Heather!) that I was so happy to be a part of for 2 summers in 2013-2014. This program really inspired me and empowered me to pursue my dream of working in the mental health field. Since then I have been fortunate to work with youth at RAMS in various capacities, including vocational services, peer-support, and as a Wellness Intern. I owe so much of my earlier career to RAMS and all of the wonderful mentors who encouraged me, offered me opportunities, and uplifted me.

What have you been doing since you left RAMS?

Since leaving RAMS, I have had so many experiences in community mental health. Following my graduation in 2020 from the Community Mental Health program at CIIS, I worked at various community based mental health programs, including Homeless Children’s Network, Instituto Familiar de la Raza, and Institute on Aging. In 2023, I began working as a Behavioral Health Clinician with the San Francisco Department of Public Health. This work is primarily with Community Health Programs for Youth and Larkin St Youth Services, where we are able to meet youth needs for sensitive services, behavioral health, and connection to case management and resources.

What is something you learned as a clinical intern at RAMS and how has that served you since you graduated?

I’ve learned so much! My clinical internship at RAMS really grounded me, not just during my early career as a therapist, but during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Something that I cherish and miss about my time as a clinical intern at RAMS was our group supervision time, where we really got to explore, as a group, what it meant to be therapist, our countertransference experiences, and how to hold and manage the weight of the world with the weight of the individual work we were doing with students. I have endless gratitude for my RAMS supervisors for how they were able to create that space for us. And I keep trying to find it in other places!

How do you maintain such a strong commitment to community mental health work during the challenging times we are currently in?

It’s definitely hard, especially now that I work for the city and county government and there are so many uncertainties in the world! I believe community mental health is a place where we can provide reparative experiences to communities who have been largely left out of or overly pathologized in Western mental health systems. Working within this care system, I often don’t get to see my patients long term, but if I can give them the experience of feeling seen, heard, and respected in a mental health space, then I hope that can help them to reduce internalized stigma and feel more empowered to seek support in the future. Community mental health has been my home for so long and it has given me so much, I look forward to staying connected to it for the rest of my career.

Anything else you would like to share?

Michael Baxter Larkin St Clinic and Community Health Programs for Youth is a great place to send TAY (12-24) who are looking for support around behavioral health, sensitive services, and connection to resources that help patients feel supported.

Also, special shout out to the San Francisco CG Jung Institute for welcoming me into their learning spaces, especially as an early career/associate. I’m now participating in the 2nd year of their Jungian Oriented Psychotherapy program. I’m grateful to have a place to expand my clinical knowledge, gain a theoretical base, and learn from such seasoned clinicians.

Alumni Spotlight: Dr. Ellen Sawamura, PhD, LP, LCSW, LMFT (NAAPTC Intern, 1982-1983)

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From L to R: Janette Liu (Program Assistant at RAMS Fu Yau Project), Dr. Diana Wong, Dr. Wei Lew, and Dr. Ellen Sawamura at RAMS 50th Anniversary Gala.

As part of one of the earliest cohorts of trainees at RAMS, how was your experience?

My experience as a pre-doctoral psychology intern at RAMS offered clinical, work and life experiences. The large multicultural, predominantly Asian staff and community mental health focus provided valuable knowledge and training using multiple formats: assignment to several clinical supervisors for individual supervision based on number of clinical as well as psychological testing cases, group supervision (Asian Family, Medication Clients, Children/Adolescents). Clients consisted of Asian Americans (American born, immigrant, Southeast Asian refugees) and one Caucasian male with moderate depression. Clients were served at the Balboa clinic and through home visits.

Also provided consultation (Japanese Family Program at Family Service of San Francisco) and participated in community events representing RAMS. The pre-doctoral (and post-doctoral) program was newly associated with and supported by the developing Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA); I was selected to represent the training class at RAMS Board of Directors meetings and report updates and answer Directors’ questions. I am still a member of AAPA to this very day.

How did your time at RAMS shape your career path? 

I remained in the field working for San Mateo Human Services, Mt. St. Joseph, Tenderlion Family Program (Director) and at Chinatown Child Development Center (1996-2024). My position at CCDC was a dream come true. I provided direct community mental health services to Asian and other disenfranchised children, youth and their families at the clinic, many school sites and home visits. Consultation was also provided to school and other community staff. As a senior clinician, my assignment included clinical supervision of pre-doctoral psychology interns (clinical and testing cases), master’s level licensed/unlicensed staff, and pre-master’s level trainees. As the in-service training supervisor at CCDC, I enjoyed coordinating with multiple local and international trainers to bring the latest evidence based and effective techniques to CCDC as well as Department of Public Health-Behavioral Health Services and community clinicians and providers.

Did you make any lifelong connections from your time at RAMS? How have you maintained contact with your fellow trainees?

During my training, I was assigned Dr. Reiko True as one of my individual supervisors; at the time, she was the first female director of the Mental Health Substance Abuse and Forensic Services for DPH. Her clinical knowledge and experiences with the community proved invaluable. To this day, we are close friends and colleagues.

During community assignments, I met Wei Lew, PhD, the senior psychologist at CCDC. I was fortunate to have him as my primary supervisor during my time at CCDC. Dr. Lew has been a consultant/supervisor at RAMS/Fu Yau program for many years as well. We maintain constant contact; Dr. Lew and Dr. True have been role models, colleagues and dear friends.

Through training and AAPA events, I am in contact with fellow intern Nolan Zane, PhD, who has contributed so much as a professor in Asian American Studies and Psychology and as Director of the Asian American Center on Disparities Research at the University of California Davis.

What did community building look like at RAMS during your experience?

My cousin Bruce Nakahira participated as an architect of the Balboa clinic building. Interns were assigned to one room and shared four desks. Most of the time I sat on the floor to write my progress notes and work on reports. RAMS has needed and deserved a new, larger building for some time. I am so delighted that this is finally happening and look forward to seeing the Training Program’s new home at 601 Clement Street.

RAMS Advocates for Our Communities at Statewide Advocacy Days

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On April 28, 2025, RAMS leadership and staff joined the 2nd annual California AANHPI Advocacy Day at the State Capitol, under the leadership of Asian Pacific American Public Affairs (APAPA) and in coordination with the California AAPI Legislative Caucus. Given the current national landscape, our coalition is uplifting diversity, equity, and inclusion for all of our communities across California. More than 100 AANHPI organizations, with more than 200 representatives, reached over 60% of the California State Legislature in one day, advocating for:

  • AB 1242 (Nguyen) – Language Access for All
  • AB 1186 (Patel) – Data Collection: Race and Ethnicity, Minimum Categories
  • AB 49 (Muratsuchi) – Schoolsites: Entry Requirements: Immigration Enforcement
  • AB 863 (Kalra) – Residential Rental Properties: Language Requirements
  • AB 590 (Lee) – Social Housing Bond Act of 2026

On April 29, 2025, RAMS participated in the Mobilizing for Health Equity Advocacy Day, organized by the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, Behavioral Health Equity Collaborative, and Having Our Say. Advocates, immigrants, allies, community members, and concerned constituents representing over 70 community-based organizations throughout California came together to collectively harness our community power in support of forward-thinking policies that uphold health equity and racial justice for ALL Californians. The “ask” to State Senators and Assemblymembers included support for:

  • AB 402 (Ortega) – Community Health Workers and Promotoras/ES Medi-Cal Benefit and Services Transparency
  • SB 626 (Smallwood-Cuevas) – Perinatal Mental Health
  • AB 548 (Solache) – Enhanced Services for Asylees and Vulnerable Non-Citizens Programs
  • AB 450 (Carrillo) – Taskforce to Support Undocumented Older Adults
  • AB 1313 (Schiavo) – Patient Debt Prevention Act
  • AB 551 (Krell & Petrie-Norris) – Reproductive Health Emergency Preparedness Program
  • AB 55 (Bonta) – Freedom to Birth Act
  • $1 Billion Budget Request – To protect Medi-Cal coverage gains through permanent extension of unwinding flexibilities
  • $5 Million Budget Request – To fund Community Health Workers/Promotoras/Representatives Medi-Cal benefit

Also scheduled for April 29th, 2025 was the Assembly Human Services Committee hearing on AB 1242 – Language Access for All. Natalie Ah Soon, Director of Community Engagement and Government Relations, testified in support of AB 1242, stating, “It is an unparalleled opportunity to modernize language access and improve language and communications access to state government services and programs and would provide the necessary infrastructure to ensure the language access plans are implemented, monitored, and updated in accordance with federal and state laws and policies.”

RAMS has an unwavering commitment to work with community partners across California to elevate the needs and amplify the voices of ALL Californians.

Contributed by Natalie Ah Soon.

Celebrating 20 Years of Nonprofit Investments in San Francisco – East Bay, BofA Announces RAMS, Inc. and Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services as Its 2024 Neighborhood Builder Honorees

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Each Receives a Multiyear Grant & Comprehensive Leadership Training to Expand Critical Services

San Francisco – Celebrating its 20th year, Bank of America’s signature Neighborhood Builders® program continues to be one of the nation’s largest philanthropic investments into nonprofit leadership development while providing unique multiyear flexible grant funding annually to high-impact nonprofits in nearly 100 communities nationwide. In San Francisco and the East Bay, Bank of America has named Richmond Area Multi-Services, Inc. (RAMS) and Richmond Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (RNHS) as its 2024 Neighborhood Builders.

Specifically, both nonprofits are each awarded a $200,000 grant over two years, comprehensive leadership training for each organization’s executive director and an emerging leader, and access to a national network of nonprofit peers. Since the program’s inception in 2004, 59 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in San Francisco and the East Bay, with the bank investing nearly $12 million in philanthropic capital into these local organizations.

“This year we celebrate 20 years of strengthening San Francisco and East Bay nonprofits that provide solutions to local challenges and promote economic advancement. We’re proud to include RAMS and RNHS as the 2024 Neighborhood Builders,” said Gioia McCarthy, president, Bank of America San Francisco – East Bay. “Countless individuals, families and neighborhoods have felt the profound impact that these 59 Neighborhood Builder nonprofits have had in our area over the past two decades.”

2024 recipient RAMS, which provides and advocates for mental health and wellness services for those living in underserved San Francisco communities, will apply its Neighborhood Builders grant toward hiring staff, building repair and maintenance, and technology upgrades.

“RAMS is honored to be a recipient of Bank of America’s 2024 Neighborhood Builders award, and to join a network that is mission-focused and collaborative,” said Angela Tang, RAMS President and CEO. “Looking ahead, this unique combination of leadership development and funding will enable us to amplify our impact in being innovative, proactive, and adaptable to the changing needs of our populations. As RAMS enters its 50th year, we know that our communities face multiple, compounding stressors and it’s critical that mental health services remain accessible and culturally responsive – this award will help us do exactly that.”

This year’s other Neighborhood Builder awardee, RNHS promotes investment in and revitalization of under-resourced communities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. RNHS will use its grant funds to hire leadership staff and expand its  Restoring Neighborhoods Program.

“With this generous support RNHS will be able to enhance training for our organization leaders, expand our Emerging Developers Program and the Restoring Neighborhoods initiative which acquires and rehabilitates, single family homes securing affordable homeownership opportunities to the communities we serve,” said Nikki Beasley, Executive Director, RNHS.

A sampling of past San Francisco and East Bay Neighborhood Builders include: East Oakland Youth Development Center, Earned Asset Resource Network, Inner City Advisors, San Francisco Housing Development Corporation, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, La Casa de las Madres, Rubicon Programs, Compass Family Services, Center for Employment Opportunities, Non-Profit Housing Association of Northern California, Episcopal Community Services, The Unity Council, RYSE Center, Swords to Plowshares, Hidden Genius Project, Working Solutions, Pacific Community Ventures, Prospera, Hospitality House, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, Children’s Network of Solano County, and Insight Garden Program.

The Neighborhood Builders invitation-only program is highly competitive, and honorees are selected by a committee comprised of community leaders and past Neighborhood Builders awardees. Nationwide since 2004, Bank of America has invested over $300 million into nearly 1,800 nonprofits and helped more than 3,000 nonprofit leaders strengthen their leadership skills through the Neighborhood Builders program.

Bank of America 

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving approximately 69 million consumer and small business clients with approximately 3,700 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 58 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: BAC).

For more Bank of America news, including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts.

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Reporters May Contact:
Janet Haney, on behalf of Bank of America
phone: 415-902-4283
email: janet@janethaney.com

RAMS Starts Construction on New Building for Mental Health & Wellness Services

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SAN FRANCISCO – On October 10th, 2024, Assemblymember Phil Ting, Supervisor Connie Chan, Richmond Area Multi- Services, Inc. (RAMS) Chief Executive Officer, Angela Tang broke ground on a new RAMS facility on Clement Street. This new space was funded through the advocacy of Supervisor Connie Chan and Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco). In response to the lack of investment in and growing hate toward the Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, Assemblymember Phil Ting advocated for increased resources for those affected, including reaching out to local partners like Supervisor Chan to identify projects and organizations to benefit from investment by the State. RAMS, a vital non-profit mental health provider, offering in-language services to monolingual residents was identified by Supervisor Chan and supported by Assemblymember Ting for $6.5 million in state funding in the 2022-23 budget year, allowing for RAMS to purchase and modernize a building for their culturally competent programs.

“The pandemic showed us there’s a lack of resources available to AAPI communities, especially mental health services. I fought to change that, delivering state investments to partner organizations throughout the state, including RAMS. This new facility will enable them to meet the increasing demand for culturally competent wellness programs and care. Once the building is complete, generations of local residents will benefit,” said Assemblymember Ting.

“The Richmond Area Multi-Services Inc. (RAMS) provides critical support to our most vulnerable community, creating access to cultural and linguistically appropriate mental health and wellness services especially for AAPI Seniors, many of whom are monolingual,” said Supervisor Connie Chan. “I am so excited to be here today, on World Mental Health Day, to break ground on RAMS’ new home on Clement street. RAMS joins with our other amazing community service providers to further our vision for whole person care; creating a hub of services to support mental health, youth and senior programming, public health, and supportive housing.”

This new building will house RAMS’ outpatient counseling services, wellness centers program, and the training institute, which includes the highly acclaimed National Asian American Psychology Training Center for doctoral internships in clinical psychology. RAMS has been providing these services at its original rental location on Balboa Street for the past 50 years.

“With the purchase of this new building, RAMS solidifies our anchor in the Richmond district to continue to provide cultural congruent mental health services to the City’s most vulnerable populations. We are thankful to the State of California, Assemblymember Ting and Supervisor Chan for prioritizing the mental health needs of our children, youth and adults and their families,” said Angela Tang, RAMS Chief Executive Officer.

Founded in San Francisco’s Richmond district in 1974, RAMS provides and advocates for mental health and wellness services that are centered in clients, community and culture, with expertise in serving Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. The agency has supported those who have the least resources and opportunities to achieve their highest potential. RAMS does this by providing integrated services that include counseling, job training, capacity building for partner organizations and advanced training of mental health professionals. RAMS operates 11 core programs throughout San Francisco and Hayward. Last year, the agency served 12,500 local clients and reached over 20,000 with prevention and health education services in more than 30 languages.

The Clement Street location is expected to open in late Spring 2025. View or download pdf version of the press release.

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Division of Peer Based Services’ BEST Neighborhoods Nationally Recognized

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The RAMS Bridge and Engagement Services Team (BEST) Neighborhoods program, run in partnership with the San Francisco Department of Public Health, was nationally recognized with a 2024 NACo Achievement Award. The award is given for outstanding and innovative county government programs that improve access to behavioral health services for its residents. 

BEST Neighborhoods is a collaboration between RAMS, the SF Department of Public Health, and other community partners to provide street-based behavioral health care throughout the city. The program centralizes care coordination and management for people who are unhoused or unsheltered with unmet behavioral health needs. Through a neighborhood-based approach, the BEST Neighborhoods program expands SF Department of Public Health’s operational capacity and coordination to provide timely behavioral health assessment, engagement, and community-based therapeutic interventions. BEST Neighborhoods works in underserved neighborhoods 7-days a week and provides time-limited, focused, and phased interventions to support clients in transitioning to ongoing care and support. Over the past six months, the BEST Neighborhoods team had over 4,500 engagements.

According to the National Association of Counties (NACo), the NACo Achievement Awards have recognized outstanding county government programs and services since 1970. Through a non-competitive application process, noteworthy programs receive awards in 18 categories that cover a vast range of county responsibilities.