PENINSULA PARTNERSHIP LEADERSHIP COUNCIL FAQ

Who is the Peninsula Partnership Leadership Council?

The Peninsula Partnership Leadership Council (PPLC) is made up of leaders from multiple disciplines throughout San Mateo County, whose mission is to formulate policies that effectively address the needs and foster the healthy development of children, youth and families in San Mateo County.

Why did the PPLC Create a Bill of Rights for the Children and Youth of San Mateo County

The PPLC believes that all children and youth, regardless of where they live in the County, their race, ethnicity, or income level, deserve to have the same rights. Yet we know that inequities continue to persist across the County.

All too often, the needs of children and youth are not fully taken into account when policy decisions are made. The PPLC thought it was important to develop a document which articulates what every child and youth should have as a guide for policymaking decisions across the County.

Has any other jurisdiction created a similar Bill of Rights?

Only the City of Portland and Multnomah County have created a similar document. San Mateo County is clearly on the cutting edge.

How was the Bill of Rights created?

The PPLC reviewed the Children’s Bill of Rights created in Portland and Multnomah County, Oregon, the Children’s Bill of Rights created by the United Nations, and the San Mateo County Children’s Report, which contains goals and indicators of child well-being. The PPLC reflected upon and synthesized the best ideas from each of these documents, and added its own insights to develop the Bill of Rights for the Children and Youth of San Mateo County.

Were Youth involved in the development of the PPLC Bill of Rights?

Yes. Two San Mateo County Youth Commissioners are equal and full members of the PPLC. These two youth commissioners brought the Bill of Rights to the full membership of the Youth Commission for review and comments. The Youth Commission’s feedback was incorporated into and improved the final product.

Who has already adopted the Bill of Rights for the Children and Youth of San Mateo County?

The County Board of Supervisors, the County Board of Education, and Silicon Valley Community Foundation have adopted the Bill of Rights. In addition, the 17th District, PTA, has adopted it and plans to bring it to the California State PTA.

What are PPLC’s goals for adoption of the bill of rights?

The PPLC will strive to have every city council and local school board to adopt the bill of right, as well as community and service provider organizations that address the needs of children and youth.

Can city councils and local school boards alter the language in the bill of rights?

No. The PPLC believes it is important to ensure that a consistent Bill of Rights for Children and Youth is adopted across the county. We ask that other policymaking bodies adopt the PPLC Bill of Rights as it has already been approved by the County Board of Supervisors, the County Board of Education, and the Silicon Valley Community Foundation

The enumerated rights are quite expansive. Are city councils and schools boards which endorse the bill of rights legally bound to deliver on them?

No. In preparing the Bill of Rights, the PPLC worked closely with County Counsel and was assured that the document is not legally binding. It is intended to guide policymakers and to set forth aspirational goals for the children and youth of San Mateo County.

Is the Bill of Rights merely symbolic? What can it really accomplish?

The PPLC believes the Bill of Rights is an important first step in effecting policy change to positively impact the lives of children and youth in San Mateo County. The San Mateo County Youth Commission, for example, has developed policy-level recommendations for each of the rights. The PPLC also hopes that the Bill of Rights will lead to strategic conversations around how well a particular community is doing in achieving these rights and what kinds of policy changes are needed.