Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Tamarra Jones, Director, Public Health, Policy and Planning
Subject: Agreement with Redwood City School District to Provide Mental Health Support to San Mateo County Newcomers
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Redwood City School District to provide Mental Health Support to San Mateo County Newcomers and authorizing the Chief of Health or their designee to execute agreements with two additional vendors when negotiations are concluded, for the term of October 21, 2025 through October 21, 2027, in an aggregate amount for three agreements not to exceed $600,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Get Healthy San Mateo County (GHSMC) is a product of the Healthy Communities Initiative launched in 2004. During the last 16 years we have made great progress in preventing diseases and ensuring that all San Mateo County residents have the opportunity to live long and healthy lives. Moreover, rates of preventable chronic diseases like diabetes and asthma and diseases exacerbated by social disconnection such as mental illness and substance use are on the rise, and the health outcomes of residents continue to vary by race, income, level of education, and place of residence.
GHSMC uses policy change to prevent diseases and ensure everyone has equitable opportunities to live a long and healthy life. GHSMC is a local collaborative of community-based organizations, County agencies, cities, schools, and hospitals working together to advance policy change to prevent diseases and ensure everyone has equitable opportunities to live a long and healthy life. The collaborative is facilitated by San Mateo County Health.
On October 28, 2024, San Mateo County Health released the GHSMC Request for Proposals (RFP) with three priority focus areas - Access to Health Care Services, Social Determinants of Health, and Mental Health - which resulted in three contract awards that, in aggregate, exceed $200,000. These contracts are awarded to 1) Redwood City School District for Mental Health, 2) Fresh Approach for Social Determinants of Health by Establishing and Operationalizing Food as Medicine, and 3) Anamatangi Polynesian Voices for Access to Health Care Services by Re-Imagining Community-Centered Health Care in East Palo Alto.
DISCUSSION:
The 2025 GHSMC RFP sought applicants to advance the community-identified, data-backed priorities under the Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). Redwood City School District (RCSD) is awarded $200,000 of the aggregate amount and will implement a program to improve student and school community outcomes related to mental health, one of the CHIP priority areas. RCSD will establish a Wellness Counselor and associated program for expansion of mental health care coordination, connection with new families (including immigrants, refugees, and unhoused), therapeutic counseling, and parenting workshops. This will meet the critical need for early intervention to address student mental health issues before they arise and before they impact health, overall well-being, and academic performance. RCSD will provide these services at 12 elementary and middle schools, reaching up to 6,300 students annually. RCSD is uniquely positioned to expand mental health services, based on a history of responsive action. In 2024 RCSD began on-site mental health services through a district counselor at all 12 schools to help students cultivate confidence and coping skills using a holistic approach. This demonstrated positive outcomes for overall mental health, peer interactions, and academic performance. The proposed project builds on this work and directly addresses an identified need via the CHIP and indicators from the Community Health Assessment.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligation by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the Resolution as to form.
It is anticipated that at least 6,300 students each year, across the 12 elementary and middle schools within the RCSD, will have access to mental health support.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
|
Number of students across the 12 elementary and middles schools within the RCSD that have access to mental support |
6,300 |
6,300 |
|
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
As of 2024, 52% of students in RCSD receive free or reduced-priced lunches, an indicator of poverty levels experienced among families with students enrolled in the district. This is significantly higher than the overall rate for the County. By implementing a comprehensive mental health and well-being program for RCSD students and families, the program supports some of the County’s highest need communities and a student population that is more vulnerable to poor health outcomes and lower academic achievement. The services will be provided at no cost to the students or families.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is October 21, 2025 through October 21, 2027. The aggregate amount for the three agreements is not to exceed $600,000 for the two-year term, of which $200,000 is allotted to Redwood City School District. Funds in the amount of $300,000 are included in the PHPP FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget. Similar arrangements will be made for future years. The agreement amount is 100% funded by Net County Cost.