Our Vision
A thriving San Mateo County community where everyone has the opportunity and support they need to live safe, healthy and prosperous lives.
Mission
Promote the well-being of children, adults and families by providing effective services with compassion.
Our Values
Service
We support each other to support others, by:
✦Providing time, attention, and resources to staff, partners and people who need our help
✦ Delivering services in timely, effective, welcoming and caring ways
✦ Making our services accessible and equitable for everyone, regardless of their background, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or ability
Collaboration
We work together with compassion and commitment, by:
✦ Stepping up and empowering each other to tackle difficult challenges
✦ Cultivating shared purpose and a sense of belonging
✦ Recognizing our work as interconnected and working closely across branches and with partners
✦ Listening deeply to the people who need our help and working with them in a spirit of partnership
✦ Communicating and partnering closely with San Mateo County’s varied and diverse array of communities
Making a Difference
We uplift people, by:
✦ Innovating and adapting to meet the changing needs of our community
✦ Helping people experiencing trauma and poverty break generational cycles
✦ Empowering clients and staff to reach their full potential
✦ Supporting staff in their daily work and careers
✦ Supporting partners in their work on HSA’s behalf
✦ Honoring each person’s authentic self and inherent value
Accountability
We honor the trust placed in us by the people of San Mateo, by:
✦ Being responsible stewards of public funds
✦ Operating with integrity and transparency
✦ Following through on our commitments
Accreditations
COA
The San Mateo County Human Services Agency (HSA) supports an ongoing culture of excellence through a multitude of strategies, with continuous quality improvement at the forefront. As a foundation on which HSA operates, continuously striving for improvement has allowed the Agency to pursue excellence in its services and maintain one of the most comprehensive quality improvement programs in a public agency.
In 2008, 2012 and 2016, the San Mateo County Human Services Agency was accredited by the independent Council on Accreditation (COA). The notable achievement comes with the distinct honor of being the first public social services agency in California to receive accreditation in all eligible administrative functions and all eligible services. Accreditation affords clients and taxpayers a comprehensive level of operational review. Successful accreditation delivers tangible benefits for internal and external stakeholders, including the following:
- Assurance that staff meets training standards;
- Commitment by the agency to include all stakeholders in decision making; and
- Development of an agency environment fostering safety, respect and positive outcomes.
The COA accreditation process involves a detailed review and analysis of an organization or program’s administrative functions and service delivery practices. All are measured against international standards of best practice.
CARF
Since 1991, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) has evaluated the standards of quality for the Human Services Agency’s Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS). CARF maintains an accreditation process organized by program, serving the unique needs of health and human service programs, and is required by the State Department of Rehabilitation for the purposes of ensuring compliance to industry standards.