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Building Healthy, Equitable Communities
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January 2019 Newsletter
Committed to Building Healthier Communities

Newsletter

Exciting Intern Opportunities Available for the Summer
We are now recruiting two summer interns! The Healthy Economy intern position will support the implementation of inclusive hiring and contracting practices and the Civic Engagement and Health Intern will provide research and communication capacity to our civic engagement and community health work. Applications are due no later than Thursday, February 28, 2019 5.p.m. PST.

Apply for a Census 2020 Job!
Want to help your community and earn some extra income? Apply for a Census 2020 job. You have to be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years old.

Items to include in this newsletter

Staff Perspective Belén Seara

A Path to Resilient Homes

Greetings Get Healthy SMC Partners,

Last year, the Built Environment Committee (BEC) of BARHII, which is the Bay Area coalition of public health departments, has been exploring the intersection of habitability and community resiliency. Environmental factors such as extended heat waves and severe weather caused by climate change exposes those who reside in substandard households to higher health risks such as heat-related illnesses or death.

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Supervisor Slocum on Housing, Health, and Regional Solutions

Check out the op-ed by Supervisor Slocum who highlights the importance of housing stability on the health of our residents and the progress that our County is making to address the affordability crisis. Following the op-ed Supervisor Slocum tweeted, “Home matters – during the holidays, perhaps even more so. And home and health are interrelated – long commutes create pollution and mean time away from family.

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Secretary Carson Leading Implementation of Opportunity Zones

The White House created the Opportunity and Revitalization Council which will be in charge of implementing opportunity zones, a tax incentive program focused on offering tax breaks on capital gains invested in Opportunity Funds. These Opportunity Funds will then be available to fund projects in high-poverty areas designated as Opportunity Zones. Secretary Carson will chair this new Council that will include representatives from 13 federal agencies.

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Championing Children’s Success in East Palo Alto and Daly City 

The Community Collaborative for Children’s Success (CCCS) communities of East Palo Alto and Daly City have begun meeting to identify top assets, issues and strategies to promote young people’s success. Our key connections to the community come through Champions, a group of community members who engage directly through surveys and small group conversations.

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SMC Board of Supervisors Bans Sale of Flavored Tobacco

By enticing youth with candy flavors and touting it as a healthy alternative to smoking cigarettes, the e-cigarette/vaping industry has taken a page from the tobacco industry’s playbook. In June 2018, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors (BOS) adopted an ordinance that prohibits the sale of flavored tobacco products in unincorporated San Mateo County. Enforcement of the ordinance started on January 1, 2019.

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New School Performance Data Tool!

The California Department of Education recently updated its School Dashboard data. It provides a visual representation of successes and challenges in student academic performance and school climate. Several local school districts were identified as opportunities to address disparities in disproportionate academic achievement and suspension rates.

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Congratulations! Four Local Students Graduate from EMS Corps

Four San Mateo County residents recently graduated from the Emergency Medical Services Corps. They finished their rigorous five-month training on January 4th and are now obtaining the requirements to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians. This is San Mateo County’s second time participating in the program, and the next group of local residents begin their training in February.

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Going Fine-Free

San Mateo County libraries are the latest local agency to eliminate high pain and low gain fines. After their analysis found that late-return fees are not a significant revenue source, do not encourage prompt returns, and prevent residents, particularly in low-income communities, from accessing local libraries, the San Mateo County library system decided to stop assessing the fines.

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Safe Street Designs

National Complete Streets Coalition released its 2018 Pedestrian Danger Index that looks at crash patterns across the country that involve our most vulnerable neighbors: people walking. In collaboration with a number of stakeholders including County Health staff, staff from the City of Daly City are developing a Vision Zero Action Plan this year!

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New Year, New Policy Goals 

A new year brings (back) new city and county leadership. Welcome to all our local champions working to improve the lives of our residents! Contact your local City Council representative to learn more about what is being prioritized in your communities in 2019. We’re excited to continue supporting cities that are prioritizing policies that build healthy and equitable communities.