Code for America, a San Francisco-based nonprofit that matches technology sector skills to local communities, has selected the County of San Mateo as one of its ten municipal partners for 2013.
“San Mateo County is an environment of rapid technological progress, which we haven’t been able to maximize because of state and federal reductions,” said Board President Adrienne Tissier. “This fellowship will move our food safety net into the 21st century.”
Beginning February 2013, Code for America fellows will work alongside staff from the Human Services Agency and the philanthropic and nonprofit sectors to increase residents’ access to food assistance. Projects will include raising public awareness of available services, the creation of a convenient, centralized point of entry to food resources and benefits, and improving the coordination between public and nonprofit food service providers and agencies.
“This collaboration provides an opportunity to benefit our community by using technology to reach people in ways we have not done before,” said Beverly Beasley Johnson, director of the county’s Human Services Agency which has seen a 93 percent increase in CalFresh caseloads over the last three years.
Founded in 2009, Code for America partners with local governments to foster civic innovation by embedding developers and designers in local governments to collaborate with municipal leaders. San Mateo County is one of 29 municipalities that applied for the 2013 fellowship cycle.
“We are very excited to officially announce our partnership with San Mateo County,” said Code for America Founder and Executive Director, Jen Pahlka. “San Mateo County is a leader in the innovation world and our fellows will have the chance to be at the forefront of that innovation. With the support of such forward-thinking and dedicated county staff, we look forward to building a long-lasting partnership.”
The County of San Mateo’s 2013 Code for America fellowship program is funded by the Philanthropic Ventures Foundation and the County of San Mateo.
“This is an uncommonly unique collaboration—government, a philanthropic foundation, and a technology nonprofit creating solutions together,” said James Higa Executive Director, Philanthropic Ventures Foundation (PVF) and former Senior Director in the Office of the CEO at Apple, Inc., “Throw everything you’ve heard about government being slow and conservative out the window. This county innovates and embraces change.”
Media Contact:
Amanda Kim, Public Information Officer, County of San Mateo Human Services Agency
Phone: 650-802-6433, e-mail: akim@smchsa.org
County of San Mateo, Human Services Agency Mission
The San Mateo County Human Services Agency assists individuals and families to achieve economic self-sufficiency, promotes community and family strength and works to ensure child safety and well-being.
About Code for America
Code for America partners with local governments to foster civic innovation. Through its Fellowship program, Code for America provides an opportunity for the web generation to give back by embedding developers and designers in local governments to collaborate with municipal leaders. Founded in 2009, Code for America held its inaugural fellowship in 2011. This year, Code for America has connected 26 fellows with 8 cities nationally. Through the Accelerator program, Code for America supports disruptive civic startups, and through the Brigade program, Code for America encourages civic participation by organizing local groups of civic technologists to take action in their communities.
