Blueprint for Belonging

North Highlands

Project Updates

Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Applications

Thank you to all who have applied to be part of our Community Advisory Committe for the Blueprint for Belonging project! We received overwhelming interest from community members who wanted to be part of this project and we made sure to intentionally review all applications. While we couldn't feasibly accept everyone who was interested, there will be future opportunities to stay involved. Please stay tuned for future updates and information about meetings and events.

CAC Kickoff Meeting

We're happy to announce that the Blueprint for Belonging CAC had its first kickoff at the North Highlands Recreation and Park District on July 22nd, 2026! The Project Team introduced the project to the CAC members, who also gave their input on what belonging looks like in North Highlands. CAC members highlighted the community's diversity, gathering places, and local assets while speaking out about the kinds of resources each community needs.

If you would like more information about the project, please see the information below or contact Nathan Serafin, Associate Planner, at serafinn@saccounty.gov if you have any questions.

Project Overview

In the Fall of 2024, Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review (PER) and Mutual Assistance Network (MAN) were jointly awarded a grant through the Sacramento Area Council of Governments’ (SACOG) Engage, Empower, Implement (EEI) grant program.

The goal of the EEI grant is to “elevate community-based planning by providing funding for city and county partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs) to create a pipeline of equitable, safe, and sustainable projects within historically marginalized and disinvested communities.” In recognition of this goal, PER and MAN (the Project Team) are engaging in a project that focuses on the North Highlands community.

Formally named Blueprint for Belonging (BFB), the project outcomes are as follows:

  1. Identify the transportation, mobility, access and safety needs within the North Highlands Environmental Justice community,
  2. Inform the County about community needs and address community concerns, and
  3. Fill information gaps about this community that can inform future planning efforts.

The Project Team will conduct robust community engagement intended to encourage community participation, overcome communication barriers, and foster trust between community members and the County.

Outreach Process

A critical first step in the outreach process is the formation of a Community Advisory Committee (CAC), which will support more intentional, relationship-centered engagement throughout the project. The CAC process is intended to encourage broader participation and prioritize local voices in discussions about future development.

How will you use the CAC’s feedback?

CAC members will be critical for informing the project’s Community Needs Assessment (CNA), which will be used to guide and prioritize County planning in the North Highlands area. CNAs typically contain information about the community, a summary of community feedback, and a prioritized list of projects that the community wants to see.

Earlier in the project, we heard from community members that they don’t want to see another project that sits on the shelf – that’s why the Project Team intends for this to be involved, intentional, and community-led. Outreach for the BFB project will be an opportunity for community members to take ownership of their role in the planning process.

Can I contribute to the project if I’m not on the CAC?

There will be future events during which community members can provide feedback throughout the outreach process. Please come back to this webpage or be on the lookout for upcoming project updates.

Where can I sign up for project updates?

Sign up using our mailing list form for future updates about the project. We’ll be happy to share our progress with you!

Project Documents

This list of documents will be updated as the project progresses. Please check back for additional updates.

Contact

If you have any questions or want more information, please contact Nathan Serafin, Associate Planner, at serafinn@saccounty.gov.