Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Rocio Kiryczun, Director of Human Resources
Subject: 2024 Employee Suggestion/Innovation Challenge Awards
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution approving the STARS Employee Suggestion/Innovation Challenge Awards.
body
BACKGROUND:
The County STARS Awards Program was initially established in 2006 to recognize programs that offer innovative and collaborative services in the areas of performance and customer service. Since then, the program was expanded to recognize excellence in diversity and inclusion and sustainability. In addition, an Employee Suggestion award category was added in 2008 to recognize employees that offer suggestions to improve County services. The County has hosted five Innovation Challenges as part of the Employee Suggestion award category.
DISCUSSION:
The 2024 Innovation Challenge was held in a hybrid format this year. It began virtually on October 1st and 2nd with sixty-one (61) participants forming 17 teams to collaborate, identify and present a solution to improve County services. The teams worked on their ideas through the allocated four hours and submitted a video or infographic of their ideas. The submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges and the top six were selected to present at an in-person event on October 29th. The judges selected the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners, while the remaining three teams were awarded runners-up and participants selected a People’s Choice award.
The teams that received awards for their ideas include:
|
Award |
Team Name |
Employees |
Suggestion |
|
1st Place ($2,000) |
Team RV Buyback |
Marika Buchholz Kat Richter Jenel Lim Melissa Gonzalez |
Create an RV buyback program that would provide funds to members of the public experiencing RV homelessness in exchange for their RV. |
|
2nd Place ($1,500) |
The Building Department Innovators |
Quinn Todzo Camila Low |
Build a Chat application that leverages an AI powered database of planning and building department files. |
|
3rd Place ($1000) and People’s Choice ($500) |
Paws for Stability |
Lena Silberman Tina Di Rienzo Christine Hollender |
Create a pet foster program comprised of volunteer County employees, allowing the County’s BHRS, Interim Shelter, and Permanent Housing clients to focus on their recovery without worrying about their pets’ wellbeing. |
|
|
|
Runner Ups |
|
Runner Up ($500) |
GRANTSFormers |
Aimee Ketchum Gladys Balmas Katia Renderos Mohammad Habib Stacy Goldsby |
Establish a dedicated Grant Writing Clinic to help community-based organizations secure grants. |
|
Runner Up ($500) |
The Community’s Sidekicks |
Deandra Lee Nupoor Kulkarni Norah Hayden Keyana Hadley |
Create an information request process to connect community members with relevant health education resources. |
|
Runner Up ($500) |
Mission Possible |
Connie Tran Allison Milch Allen Chiu |
A public-focused program that emphasizes collaboration through a series of engaging events designed to bring the San Mateo County residents together. |
County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved this resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no impact to the Net County Cost. Funding for the STARS Awards program, including the Innovation Challenge, is included in the Non-Departmental Budget.