Items to include in this newsletter
Don’t delay. Vote today!
Election Day is November 8; however, all San Mateo County voters receive a ballot by mail and can vote early! You can mail in your ballot via US Postal Service, drop it at a secure Drop Box, or vote in person at a Vote Center. To find locations of drop boxes and vote centers, or to get more information about the election, go to SMCVote.org.
Vote for Your Health Resource
When we vote, we are choosing the people and policies that influence how we live, work, and go to school. Our vote is one way to use our voice to improve our community’s health. Help share this message with others using our new Vote for Your Health flyer.
Save-the-Date! 2023 Community Implementation Funding Release on January 2
We are thrilled to announce big changes are coming to the upcoming 2023 Get Healthy SMC Community Implementation Funding cycle. The request for proposals (RFP) will officially be released on January 2, 2023, and close on February 10, 2023, to fund $400k for projects over a two-year period. Stay tuned! We will be providing more information in the next newsletter.
Redwood City Together Advances Education, Wellness, and Equity
Redwood City Together has just released their annual report demonstrating their commitment to improving the Redwood City/North Fair Oaks community in areas around education, wellness, and equity. In the annual report, you’ll find an overview of the structure of the organization and leadership, current work, and future goals. Learn more in the full report here.
Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) Accepting Applications until October 30
Urban Habitat’s Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI), a training program that supports leaders from low-income communities of color to be the decision-makers who influence housing, transportation, and land use policies. To learn more, please visit their webpage. We encourage you to nominate a local community leader to apply! Applications are due October 30.
Boards and Commissions Vacancies
There are multiple boards and commissions vacancies for the City of San Bruno and the County of San Mateo to fill seats on the Traffic, Safety, and Parking Committee, Childcare Partnership Council, Housing and Community Development Committee, and many others.
City of San Bruno: Applications are being accepted for one seat on the Traffic Safety and Parking Committee and one seat on the Bicycle, Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
City of South San Francisco Prioritizes Active Transportation in their Budget
Now is an exciting and important moment for all the partners who have promoted the Safe Routes to School program for the past one year! Since the Spruce Elementary walk audit in fall 2021 the City of South San Francisco implemented the award winning Every Kid Deserves a Bike program in partnership with the San Mateo County Office of Education and made several infrastructure improvements around Spruce Elementary school to support students walking and biking to school.
Connecting Community to Nature
The Calfresh Healthy Living (CFHL) team celebrated Park Rx Community Nature Day (CND) at Flood Park in Menlo Park on September 24. Attendees had to opportunity to explore a local county park, practice mindful meditation, play outdoor games, and learn about resources from community partners like the San Mateo County Libraries, the SMC Sheriff’s Activity League, Martha V
Community Collaboration Process Proposal
After months of collecting feedback and stories from over 350 community members and 10 CBO leaders and representatives, Health Policy and Planning is excited to present its proposal for establishing a Community Collaboration Framework within Public Health, Policy, and Planning (PHPP). The proposal, which puts forth 10 recommendations for building trust and building a community engagement structure, is currently being reviewed by PHPP leadership and will soon be presented back to members of our community.
Third Contemplative Practices Session – Sign Up for the Next One!
Senior Coastsiders hosted their third Contemplative Practices session on October 25. This session focused on Tai chi which is a practice that involves a series of slow gentle movements and physical postures, a meditative state of mind, and controlled breathing. During this session, participants learned about and practiced Sun Style Tai chi.
Outreach Training Collaborative Update
HealthWays is currently working with about 16 CAKI/PACERs (promotoras/ outreach workers) who are volunteering to help disseminate information, engage with community members on any issues or concerns that affect them, and provide company to clients who need chaperones for medical appointments and other social activities. A team of three volunteers are also in-charge of encouraging seniors and other adults in participating in social activities like ballroom dancing as physical fitness.
Workers’ Rights Training
If you are a worker in San Mateo County, Know Your Rights! Community Legal Services of East Palo Alto (CLSEPA) offers two 30-minute presentations (1) on general CLSEPA services for CBO partners, and (2) a community- and workers-facing presentation that covers wage theft, wrongful discharge, discrimination, and health and safety in the workplace. If you or your fellow community members or partners are interested, reach out to CLSEPA for a virtual session with Jennifer Smith at (650) 204-9065 or jsmith@clsepa.org.
November 10 Early Learning Family Night
The Big Lift, in partnership with South San Francisco (SSF) Parks and Rec, SSF Public Library, and San Mateo County Health, are hosting an Early Learning Family Night on November 10 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the SSF Municipal Building. The event will give families of children ages 0-7 an opportunity to learn about community resources, meet preschool and SSFUSD staff, and get their children ready for lifelong learning! There will be story times, giveaways, and raffles, as well as a pop-up COVID-19 and flu vaccination clinic for interested families.
Supporting Positive Student Behavior
On October 19, the Health Policy and Planning staff partnered with the San Mateo County Office of Education to host the Supporting Positive Student Behavior livestream event. The event was livestreamed on multiple social media platforms in Spanish, with English interpretation available. Speakers shared information on how parents and educators can support students through school and especially during difficult times. This support may shape students’ experience and impact their level of engagement in school.
Garfield Elementary Schools Sample Local Grapes
On October 4, the CalFresh Healthy Living team worked alongside the food service staff at Garfield Elementary School in Redwood City to offer students a tasting of local grapes during their lunch break. We had 355 students sample the grapes and most of the students them loved them!