San Mateo County residents who want an inside look at how their county government operates can apply for the fall session of the Civics 101 Academy, a free nine-week program that puts participants in a room with department heads and county leaders every Wednesday evening.

Applications are due Wednesday, August 5, according to the County of San Mateo's announcement on Monday, July 27. The program is open to anyone 18 or older who lives or works in San Mateo County.

The fall session runs nine consecutive Wednesdays from September 2 through October 28, with classes from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the County Government Center in Redwood City. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Most sessions meet in Manzanita Hall on the ground floor of the 500 County Center building, at the corner of Marshall Street and Middlefield Road. The September 2 opening night and October 7 sessions will be held in the Regional Operations Center on the same campus.

Parking is free after 5 p.m. in the campus parking garage. Refreshments are provided at each session.

What participants learn

The curriculum covers county government structure, the justice system, community services, the Sheriff's Office (including a K-9 demonstration), San Mateo County Health, the Human Services Agency, public finance, county elections, sustainability, and countywide initiatives. The final session includes a member of the Board of Supervisors engaging directly with the class.

An optional Saturday morning tour of the Maple Street Correctional Center in Redwood City is also offered to enrolled participants.

The program has run for nearly two decades, according to the County Executive's Office. Many past participants have gone on to serve on county boards and commissions or join the county as employees. Participants who complete all sessions receive a certificate.

Not the same as the city program

San Mateo residents may notice the overlap: as we reported July 24, the City of San Mateo is also accepting applications (also due August 5) for its separate 12-week City Services Academy, which focuses on city departments. The county program focuses exclusively on county-level government. Residents can apply to both.

How to apply

Applications are available as a PDF at smcgov.org/ceo/civics-101-academy, maintained by program host Eric Forgaard. Questions can be directed to Forgaard at [email protected]. The deadline is Wednesday, August 5.