"No day is ever routine - one call may be a minor traffic accident, while the next is a frantic voice screaming for help." Rarely will you ever get a chance to meet the hundreds of people who call for help, yet they'll depend on your voice, your directions, and your knowledge to get through an emergency.

For Immediate Release        Belmont, CA – San Mateo County wants to raise awareness of the benefits and discounts available for veterans, and simplify access to them.  In issuing a standardized identification card, the Human Services Agency hopes to meet and assist the 33,000 veterans and their families residing in San Mateo County.

Belmont, CA –  As preliminary results become available on the County’s Homeless Census, a significant decrease in homeless living on the streets and in the homeless population as a whole, is welcome news. Early numbers show a potential 47% reduction in the number of unsheltered individuals and families countywide, compared to 2013 counts, including zero families with children. Fewer sheltered homeless were found, as well.

Redwood City, CA – Over 8,000 individuals owing child support to San Mateo County residents have another convenient option to make their cash payments. Thanks to a collaboration between the State of California and Moneygram, those owing child support can now go to any of the thousands of locations nationwide to send payments.

Belmont, CA – In the early morning hours of January 22, 2015, San Mateo County will participate in the National Homeless One Day Count by conducting a tract-by-tract count of homeless individuals, families and encampments. 

The Children’s Fund of San Mateo County needs help providing approximately 1,000 children with new backpacks and school supplies in time for the new school year. “Low-income and foster children need our help to ensure they start the school year prepared and ready to learn,” stated Children’s Fund Coordinator Rebecca Asch. “Every child should have the opportunity to succeed in the classroom and not be held back by circumstances over which they have no control.”

Do you or someone you know need help putting food on the table? Qualifying for food assistance might be easier than you think. A family of four earning $40,000 or less can qualify for CalFresh, and if you just need food to tide your family over until your next paycheck, Second Harvest Food Bank may be able to help.

Taking care of your family's health is a priority, so the next time you find yourself in need of prescription medication save up to 65% just by using a free Discount Prescription Card that can be used at more than 59,000 pharmacies nationwide, including all chain and most independent pharmacies. The card was made available to San Mateo County residents by the Board of Supervisors in 2009. Residents can obtain this convenient card without qualifying, paying a fee, or meeting any deadlines.  It's ready to use.

The Network of Care is a county funded and supported website that allows the user to find services for seniors or those with disabilities in San Mateo County, research medical conditions and medications, follow the progress of state and federal legislation, and maintain your own or a loved one’s health records in a secure part of the website.  The site can be translated into fifty languages.   Additionally, the Network of Care can be accessed by the visually impaired by use of computer screen readers, such as JAWS.

Pharmaceutical  Pharmaceuticals flushed into the sanitary sewer system eventually end up in streams, creeks, rivers and reservoirs. To prevent unwanted toxins reaching our precious Bay water, pharmaceutical drop-off locations with dedicated containers provide a safer and more sensible option. Nearly every law enforcement agency in San Mateo County participates in this convenient disposal program.