Items to include in this newsletter
Filipinx Kwentuhan: Equity Through Art Series
Every culture has a storytelling tradition. In the Filipinx diaspora, kwentuhan (storytelling) is a way of remembering and honoring ancestors, preserving histories, and reconnecting with kapwa (a recognition of a shared identity, an inner self, shared with others). It has also provided a path to resisting invisibility. From the time the first Filipinos landed in California in 1587 to the time they began settling in San Mateo County in the 1920s, storytelling has always been part of the fabric of the community’s lived experience.
San Mateo County 2nd Healthiest County in California
Being in the second place out of 58 counties is good news to celebrate! Yet, much work remains to address health inequities. In this same ranking, San Mateo County ranked 26th in the physical environment measurement that takes into account water and air quality and housing and transportation burden. Also, the County Health Rankings report does not disaggregate data by race, income, education attainment, or place.
Boards and Commissions Vacancies
City of San Bruno: Applications are being accepted for one vacancy for a short-term seat on the Traffic Safety and Parking Committee and for one vacancy for a short-term seat on the Bicycle, Pedestrian Advisory Committee. Open until filled. Apply today!
County of San Mateo: The Healthcare for the Homeless/Farmworker Health Board is seeking new board members, visit here to download the application.
Strengthening Youth Voices in San Mateo County with Fresh Lifelines for Youth
We are excited to welcome Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) as a new funded partner. FLY has had a 20-year history of connecting young people with positive mentors and role models, promoting their understanding of the law and their rights, and supporting them to become leaders among their peers and in their communities. With support from Get Healthy SMC’s Community Implementation Funding, FLY will support youth in San Mateo County who have been impacted by the juvenile justice system to gain skills and opportunities in impacting policy and systems change.
Food as Medicine Working Group
This year health plans administering Medi-Cal will be allowed to bill for community-based provider services or In Lieu of Services (ILOS) components that connect eligible populations with food and nutrition resources. This offers a great opportunity for us to support food as medicine strategies such as medically tailored meals and groceries, healthy food boxes, and healthy food vouchers via a sustainable and structured source of funding.
Walk Audit in South San Francisco
San Mateo County Office of Education hosted a walk audit at Martin Elementary in South San Francisco. The fifth graders from this school were instrumental in making November 14 Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day. The walk audit was facilitated by national transportation and public health consultant, Mark Fenton and included about 1.5 miles of easy-paced walking on streets connecting the school and community.
Supporting Restorative Practices in South San Francisco Schools
Educational attainment is closely tied to school attendance. When students are suspended or expelled from school for disciplinary reasons, they are less likely to complete school and are more likely to become engaged in the juvenile justice system. The Young Men’s Christian Association’s (YMCA) Youth Services Bureau (YSB) was awarded funding from the 2021 Get Healthy SMC Implementation Funds to support the South San Francisco School District with offering middle and high school students alternatives to suspension.
Congrats to the 2021 Get Healthy SMC COVID-19 Cohort Community Implementation Funding Recipients
We are excited to announce six projects selected to receive 2021 Get Healthy SMC Community Implementation Funding to help advance healthy, equitable communities across San Mateo County! These six projects fall within this year’s COVID-19 cohort as we have received additional funds through the Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity Expansion (ELCEX) Grant to support projects that directly address COVID-19 recovery and transmission inequities.
Building Job Skills for a Healthier Future
Economic security is key to achieving good health. For this reason, we are excited to partner with EPACENTER and Friends for Youth to support disadvantaged local youth to gain job skills through paid-on-the-job internships. Stay tuned for updates on these projects!
Shape the Future of Housing in Your Community!
Check out your city’s housing element status to share your input! These cities are currently seeking feedback on their draft housing elements, a long-range plan to accommodate for all housing needs: Redwood City Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element, the City of San Mateo Draft 2023-2031 Housing Element, and the City of South San Francisco General Plan 2040.
Ready for Affordable Housing Month?
May brings the opportunity to highlight the importance of affordable housing to build equitable and healthy communities. Check out the in-person and virtual events coordinated by Housing Leadership Council next month.