Enrolling now! The program runs for nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, beginning Sep. 4 and ending Oct. 30. Sessions run from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
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 primarily learn from and interact with department heads or their designees 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 2024 will meet for nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, Sep. 4 through Oct. 30, from 6 - 8:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served every session. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
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Location: 501 Winslow Street, Redwood City (the Regional Operations Center on the campus of County Government Center). There is free parking nearby.
Please find the application at the bottom of this page. If you have questions, please contact program host Eric Forgaard at eforgaard@smcgov.org
2024 Program (subject to adjustment):
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
Health Officer Kismet Baldwin-Santana; Chief Medical Officer Yousef Turshani; Aging and Adult Services director Lee Pullen
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; Housing: director Ray Hodges; 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 TBD; 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; Sustainability Dept., director Carolyn Bloede; Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo): executive officer Rob Bartoli
OCT. 16: Community Services
Libraries: director of library services Anne-Marie Despain; Emergency Services, director Shruti Dhapodkar; Measure K's community impact, Marshall Wilson, Measure K communications officer.
OCT. 23: Sheriff's Office
Overview and community engagement: Sgt. Javier Acosta; K-9 demonstration, Sheriff's deputies; Coroner's Office: Coroner Robert Foucrault
OCT. 30: Final gathering!
Board of Supervisors President Warren Slocum; County Attorney John Nibbelin; Human Resources