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Annual Civics 101 Academy Now Accepting Applications for Fall Class
Redwood City – Curious about how the wheels of local government turn? Want to know where your tax dollars are being spent? Interested in pulling back the curtain for a peek inside County programs and services, the jail — literally — and the workings of more than 20 unique County departments?
The free annual academy hosted by the County of San Mateo is currently accepting applications for its Fall 2024 class. The mix of in-depth presentations and educational field trips give participants the chance to learn from County leaders, including elected officials, ask questions and network with their fellow classmates.
Last year, for example, the class heard from leaders in Health, Public Works, the Human Services Agency, Coroner’s Office, Housing, Finance, Elections and Sheriff’s Office. They enjoyed a (optional) weekend hike in Edgewood Park, watched a K-9 demonstration and witnessed a short mock trial on justice system night. The 2024 content will be similar.
“Civics 101 is a great opportunity not just to hear from and about the County but for us to hear from you, too. Come tell us your priorities and great ideas. Throw the hard questions our way. Get inspired to join one of our numerous advisory boards and commissions or even join the ranks of our dedicated employees,” said Supervisor Warren Slocum, president of the Board of Supervisors.
Civics 101 meets for nine consecutive Wednesday evenings, Sept. 4 through Oct. 30 from 6 to 8:30 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.). It is held at County Center in Redwood City, with free parking nearby.
To be eligible, an applicant must be 18 years old as of Sept. 4, 2024, live or work in San Mateo County and commit to the one night per week attendance.
Learn more and apply at https://www.smcgov.org/ceo/civics-101-academy
For questions, please contact program host Eric Forgaard at [email protected]
Application
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.
Application
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. Light 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 many 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.
Application
Please find the application at the bottom of this page. If you have questions, please contact program host Eric Forgaard at [email protected]
Application
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: Community Services
Public Works: director Ann Stillman; Libraries: deputy director of library services Danae Ramirez; Emergency Services, director Shruti Dhapodkar; Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCo): executive officer Rob Bartoli
OCT. 16: Countywide Initiatives
County Equity: chief equity officer Shireen Malekafzali; Office of Sustainability: director Carolyn Bloede; Boards and Commissions, including a panel discussion, SMC chief legislative officer Connie Juarez-Diroll
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
