Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive Officer
Justin W. Mates, Deputy County Executive
Subject: Measure K: Launch a workforce development program for transitional aged youth with moderate to severe Autism in San Mateo County
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing the President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement with the Wings Learning Center to create a new workforce development program for transitional aged youth with moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder in San Mateo County for the term of April 22, 2025 to June 30, 2026 in an amount not to exceed $722,720, along with three options to extend the agreement for one year for each option, in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for each option, if exercised, at the sole discretion of the County Executive or designee.
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BACKGROUND:
In June 2024, the Board of Supervisors allocated $500,000 annually in Measure K funds to increase workforce and vocational development opportunities for transitional aged youth (TAY) with moderate to severe Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Following a formal solicitation process, staff recommends an agreement with Wings Learning Center (WINGS), a San Bruno-based non-profit, non-public school provider founded in 2001 which provides individualized educational programs to individuals ages 5-22 with moderate to severe ASD. WINGS is certified by the California Department of Education and offers accommodated curricula and therapeutic programs encompassing speech pathology, occupational therapy, behavior management and sensory integration.
DISCUSSION:
While workforce training programs for individuals with disabilities exist within San Mateo County, most programs are general in nature and are geared more towards individuals with mild to moderate disabilities. TAY with moderate to severe ASD require a higher level of support than currently available anywhere in the County. This may include more 1:1 time with staff; additional sensory, communication, behavioral, and motor skill support; tailored vocational training; and enhanced collaboration with employers willing to host trainees. While precise population numbers are not available, it is estimated that that between 75-160 TAY with moderate to severe ASD who could benefit from such services reside in San Mateo County.
Pursuant to the proposed agreement, Wings Learning Center will use Measure K funds to launch a new workforce development program which will specifically address the unique needs of the TAY/ASD population while building a diverse revenue model that will support the program after the initial Measure K investment.
Wings plans to use Measure K funds to rent a facility, likely in north county close to Wings’ existing operations, to house the program. Grant funds will also be used to gradually outfit the new location with the necessary vocational training equipment as students enroll and their training needs are identified, build relationships with employers, and train and incrementally hire client leaders to maintain a minimum of 1:3 staff-to-student ratio. Additionally, a Board-Certified Behavioral Analyst will provide behavioral support and interventions for students, families, and Wings’ staff, suggesting what caregivers can do before, during, after and between episodes of problematic behavior. Finally, Measure K funds also will be used for vehicle costs to transport students between their homes and/or training facility and/or job site and/or community events.
To ensure countywide reach, participants in the program will be recruited from school districts, adult day programs, the San Mateo County autism community, WINGS’ alumni, and the Golden Gate Regional Center (a state and federally-funded nonprofit which serves individuals with developmental disabilities in Marin, San Francisco and San Mateo counties). Participants must reside in San Mateo County, be 18-24 years old, and have a documented diagnosis of ASD with moderate to severe autism.
The higher staff-to-student ratio and inclusion of a staff Behavioral Analyst will distinguish this program apart from other available services. As such, it will serve as a pilot program to test vocational and community integration outcomes of a high-touch/high-staff-to-student ratio for this population. While Measure K funds will enable WINGS to launch and evolve the program in the near term, WINGS will seek to become a vendor with a Regional Center to build in a sustainable financial model. However, because Regional Center funding alone would be insufficient to maintain this model after the Agreement term ends, WINGS will also seek additional revenue sources.
Performance measures will be submitted via quarterly and annual reports to the County for review. The County may, in its sole discretion, exercise an option to extend the agreement (up to three additional one-year extensions) depending on performance and available funding.
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Measure |
FY 24/25* |
FY 25/26 |
Proposed* FY 26/27 |
|
Number of students engaged in job training per year |
0 |
10 |
|
|
Number of students matched with an employer per year |
N/A |
8 |
15 |
|
Number of new partnerships forged with potential employers |
3 |
5 |
8 |
|
Staff to student ratio |
N/A |
At most 1:3, but could be 1:1 or 1:2 |
|
% of participants who demonstrate success in community integration goals |
|
60% of participants |
75% of participants |
|
% retention rate among volunteer, intern and supported employment placements |
|
60% retention |
75% retention |
|
Satisfaction of program among participants, families, and workplace partners |
N/A |
75% satisfaction |
90% satisfaction |
* Subject to the County’s discretion in exercising its option, performance measures for option extension years will be agreed upon by the parties.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Individuals with disabilities face a variety of barriers - attitudes, policies, and funding gaps - to participate in the community and achieve levels of self-sufficiency. Job training offers a critical pathway to enrich the lives of those with disabilities as well as create communities of acceptance and respect.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The initial term of the agreement is from April 22, 2025 to June 30, 2026 for a cumulative amount not to exceed $722,720. The County will have the sole option to extend the term of the agreement for up to three (3) additional one (1) year terms: (i) from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for the first
option, if exercised; (ii) from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028, for $500,000 for the second option, if exercised; and (iii) from July 1, 2028 to June 30, 2029, in an amount not to exceed $500,000 for the third option, if exercised. If the County elects to exercise all of its options, the cumulative amount will not exceed $2,222,720.
The agreements will be funded through Measure K funds. The Measure K funds are included in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget, and the amount for FY 2025-26 is included in the FY 2025-26 Measure K recommended budget approved by the Board on March 11, 2025.
There is no Net County Cost associated with approving this recommendation.