San Mateo County dubbed a Certified Welcoming Community

“The new certified welcoming star system creates a road map for communities to advance welcoming work with transparency and accountability. We are committed to cultivating communities where every voice is heard and every member feels valued,” Gonzalez said. “Being welcoming is more than being tolerant. It’s having a true respect and appreciation for our neighbors and making sure in our culture and in our policies, everyone belongs.”

Supervisors lauded Gonzalez for fiercely advocating for the county and earning it the designation, which recognizes communities that have taken steps to celebrate and advance diversity, equity and inclusion, creating a welcoming environment for all.

Deputy Executive Officer Justin Mates noted the designation process is still new and the nonprofit is in the process of expanding its reach. Still, he said, San Mateo County set a high bar while acknowledging more progress can always be made.

Loneliness

Speaking to that sentiment, supervisors also passed a resolution brought forward by board Vice President David Canepa declaring loneliness a public health crisis and committing to addressing the issue.

Strategies meant to combat loneliness should be based on six foundational pillars published in an advisory from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy — strengthening social infrastructure, enacting pro-connection public policies, mobilizing the health sector, reforming digital environments, deepening knowledge and cultivating a culture of connection.

Canepa argued addressing loneliness, isolation and a lack of connection is vital, citing reporting that links loneliness to health complications that could lead to other issues like homelessness or suicide.

“Many people are suffering alone in silence and there’s no cure for it,” Canepa said in a press release after the meeting. “While there is no cure, there are ways we all can make a difference by extending love, support and real help to our neighbors, older adults and families before loneliness does become and crisis and leads to horrible outcomes such a suicide.”

Homelessness

On homelessness, supervisors also formally adopted the county’s new Hopeful Horizons Initiative, a prohibition on encampments meant to push people into services, with Supervisor Noelia Corzo voting against the measure.

The ordinance, initially unanimously approved last week, will take effect 30 days after Tuesday’s vote. According to the policy, anyone contacted for illegally camping on public property in the unincorporated areas of the county could be charged if they refuse two offers of shelter, but those charges would be eligible for diversion programs offered by Superior Court and jail time would be avoided.

Corzo said she was walking back her support of the measure after sharing concerns about people being hit with misdemeanors when already struggling. Instead of backing the policy, Corzo said she’s working with staff on a separate initiative that should help prevent that from happening, though she did not elaborate.

That 4-1 vote came before the board voted unanimously to approve an updated contract with Vaya Workforce Solutions, increasing the deal to no more than $108 million through 2027 for help seeking short-term clinic staff. The county has struggled to attract permanent staff, an issue being experienced across the nation.

Through Vaya Workforce Solutions, the county will look to grow its registry of short-term staff to fill in for vacancies, pulling from candidates all over the nation. Chester Kunnappilly, chief executive officer of the San Mateo Medical Center, said the county has seen some recent success hiring nurses and said he’s encouraged by the promise of bringing on new graduates.

Given that hiring short-term staff can often be more costly than retaining employees though, supervisors encouraged staff to develop more creative methods for attracting permanent staff. Supervisors Ray Mueller and Corzo also asked for more metrics detailing the county’s progress attracting and retaining staff.

The county has previously offered one-time hiring bonuses but supervisors were told Tuesday the offer didn’t work. Board President Warren Slocum suggested other factors were at play and asked that County Executive Officer Mike Callagy further discuss the issue with Chief of Health Louise Rogers. He also asked that the board be given outcome measures to better understand what each contract is meant to achieve.

“I heard nothing in any of that that is bold and innovative in terms of recruitment,” Slocum said. “I’d just feel a little better if you could explore that with the leadership there and see if we can come up with something bold and innovative instead of doing it the same old way.”