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Pediatric Clinics Open, Testing Options Expand
San Mateo County Health is offering pediatric COVID-19 vaccines at eight sites throughout the county during the month of January. Free and open to the public, these clinics will offer the Pfizer vaccine to children aged 5-11. Advance appointments are encouraged and may be scheduled through MyTurn. Dates, locations, and times are listed here. In response to the surge in the Omicron variant, the County of San Mateo is also expanding opportunities for COVID-19 testing with a new testing site, longer hours at some existing sites, and the distribution of home test kits for at-risk residents and first responders. These steps will roll out over the coming weeks as local health leaders seek to ensure the County maintains one of the highest per capita test rates in California.
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Supervisor Horsley Appointed President of the Board
At its Jan. 4, 2022, reorganization meeting, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously selected Supervisor Don Horsley to serve as president of the Board. Horsley, representing the County’s Third District, laid out his priorities for the upcoming year: carry through strategies to eliminate homelessness; advance equity; and improve community safety. He called the past two years “wild and challenging” due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pledged equity — just and fair inclusion into a society where all can participate, prosper and reach their full potential — will guide the county’s path to recovery. The Board also named District One Supervisor Dave Pine as vice president.
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County Controller Issues Annual Financial Reports
The County of San Mateo’s revenues increased by $224 million in Fiscal Year 2020-21, mostly due to one-time federal grants received to help address COVID-19, according to the recently published Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR). The ACFR includes the audited financial statements of the County’s operations for the past fiscal year (FY). Also available is the County’s FY 2020-21 Financial Highlights publication — known as the Popular Annual Financial Report (PAFR). “It’s a priority for me and my team to provide transparent information that is easy to read so that taxpayers and residents can learn about the County’s finances. These two annual reports help us do that,” Controller Juan Raigoza said.
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Peggy Jensen Promoted to Assistant County Manager
Upon approval from the Board of Supervisors at its Jan. 4, 2022 meeting, Deputy County Manager Peggy Jensen is now the County of San Mateo’s second-in-command and will serve as assistant county manager. Jensen, a skilled leader who is heading the County’s COVID-19 relief and recovery efforts, is a 33-year employee of the County. As one of three deputy county managers, her assignments also include Home for All, aimed at making housing accessible for residents at all economic levels; ending homelessness; and, promoting Board initiatives that improve the quality of life. In her new role, she will build on her existing work and serve as acting county manager in Mike Callagy’s absence.
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Sheriff's Office Offers First Prison Program Silent Retreat
Incarcerated individuals at the Maple Street Correctional Center in Redwood City recently participated in a three-day Prison Program Silent Retreat. The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office is the first county jail in the United States and the second jail in the world to offer this silent retreat led by the International Association of Human Values. Individuals who completed a Stress Management and Rehabilitation Training were invited to participate in the retreat, which aims to help individuals prepare for re-entry into their communities by bringing together Sudarshan Kriya meditation, breathwork, and yoga for managing emotions.
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