Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Don Horsley, Supervisor District 3
Subject: Establishment of the San Mateo County Farmworker Advisory Commission
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution establishing the San Mateo County Farmworker Advisory Commission.
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BACKGROUND:
A number of boards and commissions perform specific County government functions or advise the Board of Supervisors on a variety of issues. Some of these commissions-including, for example, the Veterans' Commission and the LGBTQ Commission-focus on policy matters and issues of interest to specific segments of the population within San Mateo County.
The agriculture industry is a major component of the San Mateo County economy. According to a 2019 Needs Assessment conducted by the County's Healthcare for the Homeless and Farmworker Health (HCH/FH) Program, there are approximately 80 farms in the County, and they employ between 1,300-1,600 farmworkers. Yet many of these farmworkers have unmet needs and require support on issues such as employment, working conditions, immigration, healthcare, education, accessing safety net services, and affordable housing.
Aside from HCH/FH, which is focused solely on providing healthcare to farmworkers, no County program exists to specifically promote the needs of farmworkers and their families, or to recommend programs, plans, and policies that would help farmworkers access benefits and services and address their unmet needs.
DISCUSSION:
The Farmworker Advisory Commission ("Commission") would promote programs and policies that address the unmet needs of farmworkers in San Mateo County. Potential areas of focus include:
* Helping farmworkers and their families navigate public agencies and access benefits and services and advising the Board of Supervisors and County agencies on effectively outreaching to farmworkers and their families;
* Raising awareness among farmworkers...
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