The County of San Mateo Innovation Program seeks to foster a thriving, resilient, and inclusive community by embracing creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement. We strive for excellence in public service innovation, utilizing cutting-edge technologies, cross-sector partnerships, and diverse perspectives to tackle complex challenges and enhance residents' quality of life. By closely collaborating with dedicated county departments and employees, we aim to build a sustainable, equitable future and empower our workforce to excel in delivering exceptional public services.

 Award Winning Solution: SMC HOME (Homeless Outreach and Mobile Engagement) 2023 Achievement Award Winner 2023 National Association of Counties Achievement Award CSAC Challenge Award Logo 2023 Calfornia State Association of Counties Challenge Award Government Experience Awards 2023 Center for Digital Government GovX Award Innovation at County of San Mateo Homeless Outreach Dispatch Dashboard Homeless Outreach Request App Rendering of the proposed Middlefield Road project. Middlefield Road Smart Corridor drone over a night skyline Drone Detection SMC Public WiFi logo SMC Public Wifi Tunitas Creek Beach - Photo by Rob Cala Climate Action Tool

About the Program

 Innovation Program Logo - lightbulb and lightning

The Innovation Program works with County departments and community partners to research, design, and prototype innovative solutions that align with the County's Shared Vision 2025 of a healthy, environmentally conscious, livable, collaborative, and prosperous community.

The Program overcomes barriers to innovation by sharing knowledge and ideas across departments and promoting a culture of innovation that embraces disruptive and incremental innovation in a workplace environment where every employee feels supported to introduce new ideas to improve efficiency and service delivery.

 Government Efficiency Symbol Government Efficiency Sustainability Symbol Sustainability Health and Wellness icon Health and Wellness Transportation Icon Transportation Economic Development Icon Economic Development Public Safety Icon Public safety Quality of Life Icon Quality of life Promoting a culture of Innovation Promoting a culture of Innovation Implementing User-Centric Innovative Solutions Implementing User-Centric Innovative Solutions Scaling Up Innovation Scaling Up Innovation Measure & Improve Measure & Improve Understand User Needs, Pain Points, and Behaviors Sharing knowledge and ideas across departments Use Human-Centered Design methodologies to ensure solutions are intuitive and easy-to-use Creating & sustaining a workplace environment that supports disruptive and incremental innovation Involve a collaborative approach between designer, developer, and end-user Engaging employees as idea generators, problem solvers, and empowered "Intrapreneurs" Barrier icon Overcoming barriers to Innovative Problem-Solving and Implementation of Innovative Solutions Understand User Needs, Pain Points, and Behaviors Understand User Needs, Pain Points, and Behaviors Use Human-Centered Design methodologies to ensure solutions are intuitive and easy-to-use Use Human-Centered Design methodologies to ensure solutions are intuitive and easy-to-use Involve a collaborative approach between designer, developer, and end-user Involve a collaborative approach between designer, developer, and end-user Meet or exceed accessibility, privacy, and security standards to be inclusive and safe. Meet or exceed accessibility, privacy, and security standards to be inclusive and safe.

Questions? Comments?

Please contact the Innovation Program Manager.