Items to include in this newsletter
Steps Towards Racial Equity and Health
The need to address health inequities and social inequities continues to increase and so does the local efforts to advance solutions. Early this month, the Board of Supervisor adopted a resolution condemning racism and injustice, declaring racism as a public health crisis, and affirming commitment to diversity, equity, access, and inclusion.
San Mateo County Health Hosts 2nd Virtual Community Town Hall on Race and COVID-19
San Mateo County Health’s Office of Diversity and Equity partnered with Get Healthy SMC, StarVista and Bay Area Community Health Advisory Council to receive additional community feedback on the critical health and economic issues impacting local residents caused by the pandemic crisis. Participants also learned about countywide recovery efforts and ongoing COVID-19 resources and assistance.
Embedding Equity into Emergency Operations: Strategies During COVID-19 & Beyond
As jurisdictions struggle with emergency response to COVID-19, coupled with elevated needs to advance racial and social equity, we wanted to share an excellent brief just released by a collaborative we are part of, the Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiative (BARHII).
Distance Learning Challenge
Census tracts near East Palo Alto have the lowest percentage of households with access to a computer and broadband internet (77%). As schools resume distance learning, this will make it especially challenging for students in East Palo Alto. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2013-2017 American Community Survey 5-year Estimates
Boards and Commissions Vacancies
City of San Bruno: There is one seat on
the Traffic Safety & Parking Commission and one vacancy on the
Planning Commission. Residents interested should consider
applying. Deadline: N/A
San Mateo County Board of Supervisors Supports Universal Meals and Public Wi-Fi
The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors recently approved $1 million to support universal meals in San Mateo County schools, which will ensure that all students in eligible school districts are able to access nutritional meals while students are learning remotely.
San Mateo-Foster City School District Chooses to Invest in School-Based Behavioral Programs
San Mateo-Foster City School District School Board voted to terminate their contract with the San Mateo Police Department to provide School Resource Officers (SRO) on their middle school campuses. Citing a lack of data on program metrics and a need to invest in programs focused on supporting young people, the School Board members did not see the value of continuing to fund the SRO program.
Trauma-informed Leadership in Times of Crisis
Over 100 Community Collaboration for Children’s Success (CCCS) partners participated in a Trauma-Informed Leadership Training hosted by Trauma Transformed on August 24 to learn how to bring a trauma-informed approach to their leadership during this COVID-19 crisis in order to support their communities and staff. Partners engaged with the four phases of a pandemic and applying the 5C’s to leadership in the pandemic response ph
CCCS Presents to Youth and Equity-Focused Commissions
CCCS is focused on supporting alignment and partnership with countywide initiatives to advance the community goals and priorities identified in the four Neighborhood Action Plans. In support of this, Shireen Malekafzali presented to the San Mateo County Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Commission and the newly formed South San Francisco Commission on Racial and Social Equity
Check Out the New Budget Equity Tools
As jurisdictions continue to face growing challenges and budget constraints caused by COVID-19 and the economic recession, there is a unique opportunity for decision-makers and staff to incorporate new strategies for mitigating potential harm and creating a healthier and more equitable future for all residents. Localities throughout the U.S.
Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center Supports Small Business Owners Affected by COVID-19
REC implemented the Small Business Recovery Assistance Program this past spring to address critical needs through virtual one-on-one technical assistance and trainings focused on online business strategies and accessing Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding and other financial resources. In early August, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors awarded REC with a $200k grant which has generated a huge boost to their services, allowing them to continue to provide assistance to small business owners affected by the pandemic.
Cities in San Mateo County Considering Adoption of Local Minimum Wage Ordinances
East Palo Alto City Council will hold a second reading of a proposed $15/hour local minimum wage ordinance on September 1st, and the City of Burlingame will hold their first reading on September 8.
Risk of Eviction Could Impact 6,900 Local Households
Poverty and overcrowding go hand in hand and both are local drivers of the spread of COVID-19. As unemployment and income loss continue to rise, the Board of Supervisors extended the moratorium on residential evictions through the end of August 31, and residents impacted by COVID-19 that need rental assistance or tenants’ rights legal advice can call Legal Aid Foundation 650-558-8911 or CLSEPA 650-422-2885.
State Housing Bills Update
The end of August marks the last opportunity for the California legislature to pass bills. The following are updates on key housing bills as of August 31, which is the last day for the legislature to reconcile bills:
State Legislation and Policy During a Global Pandemic
As we look at ways to best support our communities through the pandemic recovery, we continue to support critical state policy discussions through Bay Area Regional Health Inequities Initiatives. This year, we are looking at how to best protect the health of our essential workers, support our most vulnerable communities such as our immigrant families, and continue to support state policies on topics identified on the BARHII and Rise Together Policy Platform, which prioritizes state bills such as a
Health Policy and Planning Present at Silicon Valley Bike Coalition!
In August Community Health Planners Heather Eastwood and Erika Rincón presented at the virtual Silicon Valley Bike Coalition (SVBC) Summit. They presented on how to lead with equity in active transportation projects and Get Healthy San Mateo County’s recently released community engagement toolkit. You can check out recordings from the summit here!