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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Health Department
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DATE:
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February 22, 2007
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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February 27, 2007
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Charlene A. Silva, Director, Health Department
Scott Morrow, Health Officer, Health Department
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SUBJECT:
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Presentation of the San Mateo County Adolescent Report 2007 with Youth Commission’s Policy Recommendations
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Accept the San Mateo County Adolescent Report 2007 with Youth Commission’s Policy Recommendations
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Realize the potential of our diverse population.
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Goal 1: Our diverse population works well together to build strong communities, effective government and a prosperous economy.
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Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.
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Goal 6: Children grow up healthy in safe and supportive homes and neighborhoods.
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Commitment: Leaders work together across boundaries to preserve and enhance our quality of life.
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Goal 24: Residents accept individual responsibility for contributing to the quality of life of the County as a whole.
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This report and set of recommendations contribute to these commitments and goals by helping County agencies and other organizations work with young people to identify areas where improvements can be made and to develop plans for action.
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Performance Measure(s):
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Measure
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FY 2005-06
Actual
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FY 2006-07
Target
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Number of community members engaged in addressing high priority health issues
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320
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296
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Percent of strategic initiative partners indicating an increased confidence in ability of the County and their organization to address key health issues
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--
(Data development)
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--
(Data development)
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BACKGROUND:
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The San Mateo County Adolescent Report 2007 with the Youth Commission’s Policy Recommendations is an overview on the status of our youth in San Mateo County. It is designed to provide a snapshot of the health of our adolescent population and includes policy recommendations to improve their health. It is intended to be used by providers, grant makers, policymakers, young people and their allies to identify areas where improvement can be made and to develop plans for action.
During the FY 1999-2000 San Mateo County budget hearings, the Board of Supervisors determined the need to develop a strategic plan in support of youth of the County. The Board of Supervisors used data and information from various sources, including the San Mateo County Community Needs Assessment, which suggested that teenage sexual behavior, alcohol and other drug use, and violence were serious and worsening public health concerns. In addition, the assessment concluded that strategies aimed at reducing these risk factors had not been adequately explored or implemented at the community level. The result of that decision was the first comprehensive look at the status of youth in our County: the San Mateo County Adolescent Report 2001.
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DISCUSSION:
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Since 2001 progress has been made in areas of asset development for young people in our County, including enhancement of the Youth Commission and its interaction with other community bodies and organizations, development or strengthening of school-based programs using the asset development model, consolidation of community efforts in support of youth, and the incorporation of youth asset development principles in County initiatives.
The San Mateo County Adolescent Report is an example of the way in which young people with adult collaboration, guidance, and support can develop a project and make policy recommendations in areas that affect youth in the County. The 2005-06 Youth Commission developed and administered the countywide survey which assessed young people’s experiences. The group also developed the hypotheses about the interrelationships among risk behaviors, assets and life conditions that are supported by data from the survey. The Youth Commission’s findings and their resulting policy recommendations are presented in the report to supplement the latest California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) findings for San Mateo County. The five areas of identified need are: Youth-Police Relationships, Gang Violence Prevention, Self-Harm/Suicidal Ideation, Sex Education, and Substance Abuse Education and Services.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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There is no Net County Cost associated with acceptance of this report and recommendations.
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