Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Supervisor Noelia Corzo, District 2
Supervisor Dave Pine, District 1
Subject: Resolution directing County Executive to establish a dedicated full-time staff position focusing on policies impacting women and children and to implement and report on related Action Plan for Women and Children
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution directing County Executive to establish a dedicated full-time staff position to focus on policies impacting women and children and to implement and report on related Action Plan for Women and Children.
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BACKGROUND:
Despite San Mateo County’s economic prosperity, systemic inequities in income, access to childcare, healthcare, and safety continue to disproportionately affect women and children, particularly those from marginalized communities.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these challenges, placing additional strain on single-parent households and low-income families. Over 18,000 households in the County are led by single parents, most of whom are women, and many live below the "Real Cost Measure," struggling to meet basic needs like housing, childcare, and transportation.
In October 2024, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) presented its "Fund the Future" report to the Board, calling for meaningful action to address these disparities. This resolution responds to the report by directing the Chief Executive Officer to create a dedicated, full-time staff position to oversee the implementation of a comprehensive Action Plan for Women and Children, aimed at addressing core challenges, such as the wealth gap, childcare access, domestic violence prevention, and reproductive healthcare.
DISCUSSION:
The County of San Mateo is committed to advancing equity and addressing systemic barriers that disproportionately affect women, especially women of color and low-income residents as demonstrated by prior Board actions, such as the Women’s Reproductive Freedom and Healthcare Privacy Action Plan (2022) and the County’s commitment to pay equity under the California Equal Pay Pledge (2024).
Through this Action Plan for Women and Children and a full-time dedicated staff member (“Officer”) to lead its implementation, the County aims to create the most supportive and equitable community where all women and children can thrive.
This Action Plan focuses on four core interconnected policy areas: bridging the wealth gap, ensuring access to affordable childcare, preventing domestic violence, and expanding reproductive healthcare and healthcare freedom as follows:
1. Bridging the Wealth Gap
• Expand affordable housing options for vulnerable populations, including single mothers, teachers, and survivors of domestic violence.
• Increase participation in programs like CalSavers and CalKIDS to help women build long-term wealth.
• Support financial literacy and career pathways to promote economic stability and prosperity.
• Advocate for pay equity initiatives, including monitoring and enhancing the County’s compliance with the California Equal Pay Pledge.
2. Increasing Access to Quality Childcare
• Implement the San Mateo County Childcare Blueprint, a coordinated, multi-sector strategy funded by Measure K and philanthropic resources.
• Improve access, equity, and quality within the childcare system while supporting workforce development for childcare providers.
• Develop actionable plans to increase childcare facilities, reduce barriers to entry, and improve affordability for families.
3. Preventing Domestic Violence
• Serve as liaison to the San Mateo County Family Justice Center to provide a central hub of services for survivors of domestic violence.
• Coordinate education campaigns and advocate for policy changes to prevent domestic violence and support survivors.
• Partner with the Domestic Violence Death Review Team to identify service gaps and recommend preventive measures.
4. Expanding Reproductive Health and Healthcare Freedom
• Address gaps in funding and access to abortion, gender-affirming care, and other critical health services.
• Promote awareness campaigns to ensure residents are informed about available reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare services.
• Advocate for state and federal legislation to support women’s and gender-affirming healthcare rights.
This resolution also directs the County Executive to provide annual progress updates, ensuring transparency and accountability in achieving the goals outlined in the Action Plan.
EQUITY IMPACT:
This resolution and Action Plan prioritize equity by addressing systemic barriers disproportionately impacting women, particularly women of color, low-income women, and single mothers. The resolution was driven by recommendations in the Fund the Future Report by the San Mateo County Commission on the Status of Women, which collected both quantitative data and qualitative insights from diverse segments of San Mateo County to identify needs and develop a well-rounded perspective on San Mateo County's economic equity landscape for women.
By creating a dedicated staff position to advise on policies to implement the Action Plan, the County commits to leveraging data-driven strategies to reduce disparities in wealth, childcare, safety, and healthcare. The resolution reflects a durable and coordinated vision for women’s economic wellbeing, which aims to drive economic prosperity for the whole county. Annual progress updates will offer transparency and track progress toward goals outlined in the Action Plan.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The creation of a full-time position and the implementation of the Action Plan will require sufficient funding. The funding amount will be determined based on the position classification, as established by the County Executive. A preliminary estimate for a fully loaded position is approximately $230,000 annually, with additional funding needs for the Action Plan to be addressed in future budget amendments.