Human Services Commission
The Human Services Commission provides oversight of the Department of Benefits and Family Support, formerly known as the Department of Human Services, by approving the goals and objectives as reflected in the annual budget. The Department of Human Services plans and administers a variety of federal, state, and local programs that are designed to meet basic human needs and to ensure protection of our most vulnerable citizens. The department provides supportive services to families, children, and single adults. For more information, review the Human Services Commission's full Statement of Purpose and Statement of Incompatible Activities.
The Commission holds a public meeting each month to carry out its duties. Meetings are typically held every fourth Thursday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Ronald H. Born Auditorium at 170 Otis Street. November and December meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month. Members of the public are invited to observe the meeting and provide public comment in person or remotely. Remote access to meetings for the public is available in two formats: online via Zoom or by using a phone and accessing a conference call line. The Zoom link and conferencing phone number can be found in each meeting agenda. Please see the list of meeting dates for 2023.
Our Commissioners
The Human Services Commission consists of five members appointed by the Mayor for overlapping four-year terms. The Commission members formulate, evaluate, and approve goals, objectives, and plans. The Commission also sets policies consistent with the overall objectives of the City.
Scott Kahn - President
James McCray, Jr. - Vice President
Sally Coghlan McDonald
Rita Semel
Darshan Singh
Meetings
2023
May 25, 2023
April 27, 2023
March 23, 2023
February 15, 2023 Special Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - February 23, 2023 Regular Meeting
January 26, 2023
2022
December 15, 2022
November 16, 2022
Notice of Rescheduled Meeting - November 17, 2022 Regular Meeting
October 27, 2022
September 22, 2022
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - August 25, 2022 Regular Meeting
July 28, 2022
June 23, 2022
May 26, 2022
April 28, 2022
March 24, 2022
March 10, 2022 Special Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - February 24, 2022 Regular Meeting
February 17, 2022 Special Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - February 14, 2022 Special Meeting
January 27, 2022
2021
December 16, 2021
November 18, 2021
October 28, 2021
September 23, 2021
August 26, 2021
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - July 22, 2021 Regular Meeting
June 24, 2021
May 27, 2021
April 22, 2021
March 25, 2021
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - February 25, 2021 Regular Meeting
February 11, 2021 Special Meeting
January 28, 2021
2020
December 17, 2020
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - November 19, 2020 Regular Meeting
October 22, 2020
September 24, 2020
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - August 27, 2020 Regular Meeting
July 23, 2020
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - June 25, 2020 Regular Meeting
June 8, 2020 Special Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - May 28, 2020 Regular Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - April 23, 2020 Regular Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - March 26, 2020 Regular Meeting
February 12, 2020 Special Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - February 27, 2020 Regular Meeting
January 23, 2020
2019
December 19, 2019
November 21, 2019
October 31, 2019 Special Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - October 24, 2019 Regular Meeting
September 26, 2019
August 22, 2019
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - July 25, 2019 Regular Meeting
June 27, 2019
May 23, 2019
April 25, 2019
March 28, 2019
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - February 21, 2019 Regular Meeting
February 13, 2019 Special Meeting
January 24, 2019
2018
December 20, 2018
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - November 15, 2018 Regular Meeting
October 18, 2018 Special Meeting
September 27, 2018
August 23, 2018
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - July 26, 2018 Regular Meeting
June 28, 2018
May 24, 2018
April 26, 2018
March 22, 2018
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - February 22, 2018 Regular Meeting
February 14, 2018 Special Meeting
January 25, 2018
2017
December 21, 2017
November 16, 2017
October 26, 2017
September 28, 2017
August 24, 2017
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - July 27, 2017 Regular Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - June 22, 2017 Regular Meeting
June 21, 2017 Special Meeting
May 25, 2017
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - April 27, 2017 Regular Meeting
April 26, 2017 Special Meeting
March 23, 2017
February 16, 2017
January 26, 2017
2016
December 15, 2016
November 16, 2016 Special Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - November 17, 2016 Regular Meeting
October 27, 2016
September 29, 2016 Special Meeting
Notice of Cancelled Meeting - September 22, 2016 Regular Meeting
August 25, 2016
June 23, 2016
For earlier Commission documents, please contact the Commission Secretary, at (415) 557-6540.
Additional Information
Disability Access
- The Commission's meeting room, the Ronald H. Born Auditorium, is located on the first floor at 170 Otis Street and has accessible seating for persons with disabilities.
- Commission meetings can be accessed remotely via Zoom (online) or phone (conference line). Remote access details, including the Zoom link and conference line phone number and access code, are listed in each agenda.
- The closest accessible BART Station is at 16th and Mission Streets. Accessible MUNI Lines are the 14-Mission, 49-Mission/Van Ness, and 9-San Bruno. All the MUNI Metro Lines are accessible.
- Accessible curb-side parking has been designated at points on the 100 block of Otis Street.
- In order to assist the City's efforts to accommodate persons with severe allergies, environmental illnesses, multiple chemical sensitivity or related disabilities, attendees at public meetings are reminded that other attendees may be sensitive to various chemical-based products. Please help the City accommodate these individuals.
- To obtain a disability-related modification or accommodation, including auxiliary aids, sign language interpreters, hybrid meeting attendance assistance or other services, please contact the Commission Secretary at (415) 557-6540 at least two business days before the meeting to help ensure availability.
Translation Services
- Interpreters for languages other than English are available on request. Please contact the Commission office at (415) 557-6540 at least two business days before a meeting.
Ramaytush Ohlone Land Acknowledgement
The San Francisco Human Services Commission acknowledges that we are on the unceded ancestral homeland of the Ramaytush Ohlone who are the original inhabitants of the San Francisco Peninsula. As the indigenous stewards of this land and in accordance with their traditions, the Ramaytush Ohlone have never ceded, lost, nor forgotten their responsibilities as the as the caretakers of this place, as well as for all peoples who reside in their traditional territory. As guests, we recognize that we benefit from living and working on their traditional homeland. We wish to pay our respects by acknowledging the Ancestors, Elders, and Relatives of the Ramaytush Ohlone community and by affirming their sovereign rights as First Peoples.
Commissioner Required Training
Contact
For questions about the Commission, meetings, access, or agenda items, contact the Commission Secretary at (415) 557-6540 / elizabeth.labarre@sfgov.org.