Have questions about local government? Want to learn from department heads and other county leaders? Then Civics 101 is for you!
The Civics 101 Academy is a free course that provides an in-depth look at County programs, services, finances and initiatives. Participants learn from and interact with department heads and other leaders about topics such as health, public safety, human services, parks, public finance, sustainability, the justice system and more. Refreshments are served. More details below.
Civics 101 is also an opportunity for us to hear your perspective and learn from you. What are your priorities for improving the quality of life for all on the Peninsula? What do you care about? What are your ideas? We want to know!
Maybe you're simply interested in learning about the workings of San Mateo County government, such as the wide array of services and programs it provides to residents. Or like a number of past participants, maybe you'll be inspired to serve on one of the County's boards and commissions, where citizens volunteer their time to advise the Board of Supervisors and help improve our community! Or, who knows, your civic-mindedness might even spur you to join the remarkable team of dedicated employees that serve our residents!
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Civics 101 meets one night per week, typically for nine weeks, from early September through late October. See 2024 schedule below for reference. 2025 will be similar in terms of dates and content. Refreshments are served every session. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Class runs from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
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Location: County Government Center in Redwood City. Parking is free after 5 p.m. in the public parking garage.
2024 Program (for reference - 2025 will be similar):
SEP. 4: San Mateo County Government Overview
County Executive Mike Callagy; County overview, Chief Communications Officer Michelle Durand; 9-1-1 dispatch, director Natasha Claire-Espino
SEP. 11: San Mateo County Health
County Health Deputy Chief Marc Meulman, MPA; Health Officer Kismet Baldwin-Santana, MD; San Mateo Medical Center Chief Medical Officer Yousef Turshani, MD; Family Health Services Director Lizelle Lirio de Luna, RN.
SEP. 18: Human Services Agency
HSA overview: Director Claire Cunningham; Collaborative Community Outcomes: Selina Toy Lee; Economic Self-Sufficiency: Navjeet Singh; Employment Services: Jennifer Valencia; Children and Family Services: John Fong; Q&A with all presenters
SEP 25: All About Money
Treasurer-Tax Collector: Sandie Arnott; Controller's Office: Juan Raigoza, Controller; Budget and Performance: Robert Manchia, County Chief Financial Officer and Heather Ledesma, Principal Management Analyst; Assessor - County Clerk - Recorder - Elections: Jim Irizarry, Assistant Assessor - County Clerk - Recorder - Elections
OCT 2: County Justice System
Judge Rachel Holt; District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe; Private Defender Lisa Maguire; Probation Chief John Keene. Short mock trial included!
OCT. 9: Countywide Initiatives
Public Works: director Ann Stillman; Boards and Commissions, including Q&A with currently serving commissioners, SMC chief legislative officer Connie Juarez-Diroll; Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo): executive officer Rob Bartoli
OCT. 16: Community Services
Dept. of Emergency Services, director Shruti Dhapodkar; Sustainability Dept., director Carolyn Bloede; Libraries: deputy director of library services Carine Risley; Measure K's community impact, Marshall Wilson, Measure K communications officer.
OCT. 23: Sheriff's Office (Meet at the Regional Operations Center next to the parking garage)
K-9 demonstration (and hopefully an up-close meeting), Sheriff's deputies; Sheriff's Office Overview and community engagement, Deputy Danielle Martinez; Coroner's Office: Coroner Robert Foucrault
OCT. 30: Final gathering! (Meet at the Regional Operations Center next to the parking garage)
County Counsel: Assistant County Counsel David Silberman; Housing: Director Ray Hodges; Human Resources: Director Rocio Kiryczun