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 learn from and interact with department heads and other leaders about topics such as health, public safety, human services, elections, parks, libraries, public finance, sustainability, the justice system and more. Refreshments are served.
Participants receive a completion certificate.
Questions? Email Eric at eforgaard@smcgov.org
RECENTLY ADDED: Optional guided (safe!) tour of Maple St. Correctional Center in RWC on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. -11:30 a.m.
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Civics 101 meets one night per week for nine weeks, from early September through late October. See schedule below. Refreshments are served every session. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Class runs from 6 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., with a break in the middle.
- Class schedule (nine sessions):
Thursday, Sep. 4; Wed, Sep. 10; Wed, Sep. 17; Wed, Sep. 24;
Thursday, Oct. 2;Wed, Oct. 8; Wed, Oct. 15; Wed, Oct. 22; Wed, Oct. 29
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Location: Manzanita Hall, in the 500 County Center building in Redwood City. The Manzanita Hall entrance is near the corner of Marshall St. and Middlefield Rd. It is not accessible from the main (plaza) entrance to the 500 bldg.
Parking is free after 5 p.m. in the public parking garage on campus, and there is metered street parking in the area.
2025 Civics 101 program (subject to adjustments):
Thurs, Sep. 4: San Mateo County Government Overview
County Executive Mike Callagy; County overview with Chief Communications Officer Michelle Durand; Libraries with Deputy Director Carine Risley.
Wed, Sep. 10: County Justice System
Judge Rachel Holt; District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe; Private Defender Lisa Magure; Probation Chief John Keene
Wed, Sep. 17: Community Services
Housing, Raymond Hodges; 9-1-1 dispatch, Natasha Claire-Espino; Sustainability, Susan Wright; Emergency Management, Dr. Shruti Dhapodkar
Wed, Sep 24: San Mateo County Health
Kismet Baldwin-Santana, MD, San Mateo County health officer, welcome;
Peter Shih, health services manager, Health Administration: How Do State & Federal Changes to Medi-Cal Impact SMC Residents?;
Michael del Rosario, director, Correctional Health Services;
Darryl Liu, clinical social worker, Correctional Health Services: Correctional Health Care and Reentry Support in San Mateo County;
Gladys Balmas, improvement manager, Aging and Disability Services;
Arti Mithal, social work supervisor, Aging and Disability Services: Aging and Disability Services in San Mateo County
Thurs, Oct. 2: Human Services Agency Includes a catered meal!
HSA overview, Claire Cunningham; Economic Self-Sufficiency, Navjeet Singh;Employment Services, Jennifer Valencia; Children and Family Services, John Fong; Program Integrity and Family Services, Selina Toy-Lee; Center on Homelessness, Amy Davidson
Wed, Oct. 8: Sheriff's Office Includes K-9 demonstration!
Sheriff's Office overview, including community engagement - Gretchen Spiker; K-9 demonstration with a deputy and his trusty dog partner); Coroner's Office, Robert Foucrault.
Wed, Oct. 15: The Money, and County Elections
Treasurer-Tax Collector, Sandie Arnott; Controller's Office, Kristie Passalacqua Silva; Budget and Performance, CFO Robert Manchia;Assessor - County Clerk - Recorder - Elections, Jim Irizarry.
Wed, Oct. 22: Countywide Initiatives
County Counsel, John Nibbelin; Public Works, Director Ann Stillman; Boards and Commissions, including Q&A with current members, Connie Juarez-Diroll
Wed, Oct. 29: Final Meeting!
Board of Supervisors, Chair David J. Canepa; Equity, labor standards and shared prosperity, Shireen Malekafzali Taidi. Human Resources, Lisa Yapching; Measure K and its impact, Marshall Wilson; class photo!