South San Francisco, CA July 15, 2015 Submitted by Michelle Durand County of San Mateo 
Veterans and members of the public now have the opportunity to serve on the newly established San Mateo County Veterans Commission, which will focus on the needs of the approximately 33,000 veterans who call this county home. On Friday, July 17, the five-week application period will open to form this nine-member Commission whose composition will reflect the diversity of veterans in this county and those who provide services to them. The Board of Supervisors will appoint the nine voting members.
On June 2, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to create the commission to better serve the needs of our veterans with the Marine creed in mind of “leave no soldier behind.” Specific focus areas will include: expanding education and outreach to senior veterans so they have better access to critical benefits and services; expanding recognition and visibility of issues that disproportionately impact female veterans; developing policy recommendations to increase access to affordable housing for veterans and their families; and recommending initiatives that facilitate the provision of emergency or transitional shelter and ancillary services and assistance to homeless veterans.
“The formation of this commission is near and dear to my heart,” said Supervisor Warren Slocum, a Vietnam veteran who spearheaded its creation to address the concerns of resident veterans and their families. “It’s our job and it’s our duty to help them,” he said.
The idea of the commission was borne out of the San Mateo County Veterans Needs Assessment study conducted late last year. Commissioners will meet at least six times a year, develop a yearly work plan and provide recommendations to the Board of Supervisors at least once a year.
Applicants must live or work in San Mateo County, or provide services which target and benefit veterans residing in the county.
Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21. After the close of the application period, applications will be screened and interviews will be conducted in September. The Board of Supervisors will consider approval of the selected nominees at its Nov. 3 meeting.
Applications are available from Alicia Garcia, Deputy Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, 400 County Center, Redwood City or by calling (650) 363-4634. Applications are also available at: https://bnc.smcgov.org/vacancies
For more information about this Commission, please contact:
Selina Toy Lee
Staff Liaison to the San Mateo County Veterans Commission
Deputy of Collaborative Community Outcomes, San Mateo County Human Services Agency