County Executive’s Office

Redwood City – The County’s Human Services Agency today highlighted key accomplishments that demonstrate how the agency delivers services to vulnerable San Mateo County residents.

These range from providing 66,997 clients with safety-net services to assisting with 20 adoptions.

“Every day when I wake up in the morning and know I’m going to work, I feel good.” — Robert Ramirez, VRS client

“Thanks to our incredible staff, Human Services was able to help our most vulnerable neighbors,” said Claire Cunningham, the agency’s director. “We deliver essential services that improve well-being and economic opportunity for county residents, and we look forward to continuing the partnerships that make this possible.”

This year’s report includes the personal stories from individuals who received a helping hand. These include Robert Ramirez, a longtime resident of Redwood City, who was unable to pay his rent and began living out of his car when he lost his job.  HSA stepped into help with employment, healthcare and retirement through the Housing and Opportunities to Maximize Employment (HOME).

Nerida Shima, 83 and from Peru, could ultimately no longer support herself. HSA helped with financial aid through the Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants (CAPI).

“I am very thankful to the county and this magical program. Now I am able to feel self-sufficient and not like a burden.”

Former foster youth Marlene found support as a Supported Training and Employment Program (STEP) intern and from her social worker for always being by her side and lifting her up when she was down.

Robert, Nerida and Marlene are just three County residents of thousands helped by HSA during some of their most volatile and challenging times.

“My journey is my story, and in every story, there are chapters. In each chapter, it shows different eras of my life. I am learning to enjoy the process because at the end of the story, I know every obstacle or accomplishment will lead me to where I am meant to be.” — Marlene, former foster youth and STEP intern

Their stories and others are highlight in HSA’s 2023 Annual Report which offers a snapshot into the numerous programs and services delivered by the agency.  The year 2023 was marked for HSA by atmospheric river storms and a mass workplace shooting on the coast, but it was also busy providing daily safety net services across a wide spectrum of need.

Between January and December 2023, HSA:

• Assisted 188,874 Medi-Cal clients, 46,000 CalFresh clients, 2,652 Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants clients and 2,570 CalWORKs clients;
• Served 69,455 meals and fulfilled 1,247 catering requests throughout San Mateo County;
• Finalized 20 adoptions and more than 52 percent of foster children exited the system within one year to a permanent house;
• Provided 240 safe temporary living spaces for individuals and couples experiencing homelessness at the Navigation Center which opened in April;
• Assisted 2,888 veterans;
• Provided resources to 2,540 children and youth, newborn to age 18 through the Children’s Fund;
• Placed 333 clients into jobs and hosted 25 employer recruitment events.

“Every day, HSA’s staff bring dedication, passion and empathy to human services with a deep desire to make a difference in the lives of those we serve,” Cunningham said. “From striving towards functional zero homelessness to providing services to those in crisis, each story reflects HSA’s steadfast commitment to promoting dignity, compassion and empowerment.”

Read the full report here.

Bryan Kingston
Human Services Agency communications specialist
bkingston@smcgov.org