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Building Healthy, Equitable Communities
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February 2016 Newsletter
Healthy Change: Where it Counts

Newsletter

Summertime fun 

We’re looking for two stellar interns to join our team this summer! One intern will conduct an assessment of city-adopted goals and strategies to create healthy, equitable communities in San Mateo County. The other will analyze data to uncover socio-demographic characteristics and how these trends have impacted health overall. Please share with your networks! Applications are due 2/29!

Mixing and mingling on leadership 

Do you want to make our region healthier, more sustainable, and socially just? The Community Advocates Leadership Academy can provide you with advocacy training to put your ideas into action. Learn more about the program on April 4, 6:30pm, at the Grill House in Redwood City. Space is limited to 50 guests so be sure to RSVP today!

Items to include in this newsletter

Case Study

Youth Leading the Way
Case Study: San Carlos School District

With a move by teachers and staff to incorporate more project-based learning into all areas of the curriculum, conversations with students revealed their desire to lead projects that focused on making a social impact. Led and implemented by students at Central Middle School in San Carlos, students developed and launched a campaign to help promote health at their school. This included promoting water at recess, holding a water bottle design contest, and revitalizing the student store. 

Health by Numbers

The future of San Mateo County’s population

From 2010 to 2060, the population of SMC is expected to increase by 30%. By 2060, the White and Black population is expected to decrease (by 12% and 20% respectively), and the Pacific Islander, Latino, and Asian population are expected to increase (69%, 65%, and 52% respectively). A focus on ensuring the health of people of color is important to the future health of our county.

Staff Perspective Rosa Torpis

Growing up and out of San Mateo County

Hi, Get Healthy SMC partners! 

Many of you know me as the friendly face checking you in at our events, answering any questions during the RFP process, and supporting you so you can continue the great work you do to create healthy, equitable communities. I’ve been working with Get Healthy SMC for over six years and have seen the power of our partnerships – recognizing we can all achieve more and be more effective than working alone. 

News

Big landowner steps up big 

BART is one of the largest landowners in the Bay Area, and with that comes huge potential for transit-oriented developments. BART made great strides for all Bay Area residents last month when the BART Board adopted an affordable housing policy. Now, 20% of new homes developed on BART land must be affordable housing. Kudos to BART and community partners who have been working on this effort to support healthy housing for all!

News

Calling the Bay Area home 

Get Healthy SMC joined the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and the Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG)’s special forum to better understand the affordable housing and displacement challenges facing the Bay Area and explore regional solutions. A few days ago, over 400 people gathered to discuss updating Plan Bay Area and the role regional agencies can play in addressing rising housing costs and displacement of long-time residents.

News

Painting the bigger picture 

It’s getting harder and harder to be able to afford a healthy home in a transit-rich neighborhood that also has good schools. Creating healthy, equitable communities means designing cities that allow all families to stay in healthy places and thrive. Check out this national policy summary out of UC Berkeley for ways to create more opportunities for people to be healthy by connecting housing, transit, and education.

News

Sea-ing Change in SMC 

Last month’s San Mateo County’s Sea Change Open House brought leaders together from across the Bay Area to discuss sea level rise and how to help areas that are and will be most impacted. Senator Jerry Hill and Assembly Member Richard Gordon presented and shared their current legislative efforts to help communities prepare for rising sea levels.

News

We’re all cued up 

Check out our short video starring Michael MacAfee, co-director of the Promise Neighborhoods Institute, who shared best practices for developing and implementing strong cradle-to-career programs. See how these programs can help break the cycle of poverty and improve health by focusing on education, and highlighting the importance of collaboration, accountability, and a focus on results for our children.

News

Changing lives, saving others 

The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Alameda County is making great strides to increase opportunities for underrepresented youth. Through youth development, mentorship, and job training, these aspiring EMS technicians can build financial security and improve their overall health and well-being. San Mateo County is currently exploring options to learn from the program.

News

Growing for tomorrow 

It’s projected that by 2040, people of color will hold a majority in the United States. As the share of people of color in the United States continues to grow, there is an economic imperative, atop the moral imperative, to support the education and career opportunities of people of color in order to support our collective future economic health. Check out PolicyLink’s Equity is the Superior Growth Model that explores how to embrace changing demographics and make investments so everyone can reach their full potential and the economy can thrive into the future.