Coalition Building
El Concilio has a long history as a convening agency. As part of our public policy and advocacy goals, we seek to build authentic and strong partnerships with other community-based organizations with common goals. We currently convene the following collaborations:
Public Health Community Collaborative
El Concilio is proud to serve as the convenor of the San Mateo County Public Health Community Collaborative (PHCC). The PHCC is a unique and community-rooted model that brings together residents, community-based organizations (CBOs), and county agencies to advance health equity and shared decision-making.
The PHCC was created to build a formal structure for collaboration and power-sharing between San Mateo County Health and the diverse communities it serves. The collaborative promotes open communication, cross-sector partnerships, and trust-building between community members and local government – ensuring that priority populations are meaningfully represented in public health planning and policy.
What makes the PHCC unique is that its foundation was shaped by CBO leaders and community representatives, many of whom continue to co-lead, design, and guide the space today. It is a true example of community-driven leadership in action.
The PHCC also serves as the collaborative space for the San Mateo County Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), supporting its implementation and evolution. Through regular engagement and shared leadership, the collaborative helps ensure that the CHIP reflects community priorities and drives sustainable, equity-centered change. Click below to learn more about CHIP.
South San Francisco Coalition
El Concilio, in partnership with Familias Tomando Acción, launched a coalition in 2023 to strengthen collaboration among community-based organizations serving South San Francisco and North County. This coalition was created to expand access to resources, break down silos, and ensure that local families—particularly those historically underserved—receive the support they need to thrive.
Grounded in the Community Collaborative for Children’s Success (CCCS) framework, the coalition successfully relaunched the South San Francisco Neighborhood Action Team, bringing together 12 community partners to align services, share information, and respond collectively to local needs. Learn more about the CCCS framework here.
In 2024, El Concilio deepened its impact by partnering with the South San Francisco Unified School District (SSFUSD) through its Portrait of a Graduate initiative, part of the district’s broader Purposeful Partnerships strategy. Together, we are working to ensure that students graduate with the skills, support, and community connections needed for lifelong success. Our role focuses on community engagement, uplifting parent and family voices, bringing community-based organizations and service providers to the table, and connecting the school district’s goals with the lived experiences of the communities we serve.
This growing collaboration is a model of what’s possible when schools and community organizations work hand-in-hand to build stronger, more equitable futures.
Our current efforts include:
Family Resource Center: Identifying and advocating for accessible space for families and determining what services could be provided.
Promotores: Identifying community assets and ensuring our trusted promotores have connections to school staff
School-Based Programming: Service connections, alignment between schools and internships.
We are also active members of the following collaboratives:
Climate Ready North Fair Oaks, convened by Climate Resilient Communities
Redwood City Community Collaborative for Children’s Success, convened by Redwood City Together
East Palo Alto Behavioral Health Advisory Group, convened by One East Palo Alto
San Mateo County Latinx Mental Health Assessment Committee, convened by ALAS
Anti-Displacement Coalition, convened by Urban Habitat
To learn more about our Coalition Building programs, contact our Policy Program Manager at adriana@el-concilio.org.