Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with One New Heartbeat, Inc., for Peer Support for Peer Workers
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with One New Heartbeat, Inc. to provide peer support for peer workers, for the term of March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $450,000.
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BACKGROUND:
San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) provides a continuum of services for children, youth, families, adults, and older adults for the prevention, early intervention, and treatment of serious mental illness and/or substance use conditions. We are committed to supporting the treatment of the whole person to achieve wellness and recovery and promoting the physical and behavioral health of individuals, families, and communities we serve. BHRS is committed to providing peer support to children, youth, families, adults, and older adults and promoting the professional development of peer support specialists as an emerging profession in the behavioral workforce.
DISCUSSION:
In May 2025, BHRS conducted a Request for Proposals (RFP) process for qualified client-run service organizations to provide peer support services for peer workers. One New Heartbeat, Inc. (ONHB) submitted a proposal, and it was recommended to engage their services based on their experience in providing peer support services and their established collaboration with many agencies that provide recovery services. The RFP process was completed in late September.
Peer Support for Peer Workers is a pilot project for the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Innovation (INN). This project will pilot best practices in peer support for peer workers that work at BHRS or at BHRS-contracted community-based organizations. ONHB will work with BHRS staff to implement these services in accordance with MHSA INN requirements and has been approved by the California Commission for Behavioral Health for continuation under the impending transition to the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) starting July 1, 2026.
Through this pilot project, ONHB will create a centralized peer support team to provide on-demand, non-clinical support for peer workers experiencing work-related distress. The program aims to increase job satisfaction and retention, improve the work-life balance, and reduce burnout among peer workers while strengthening the quality of services they provide to clients. By formalizing and testing this model, BHRS seeks to contribute to learning about effective ways to support and sustain the peer workforce within behavioral health systems.
ONHB will establish and operate a peer support program for peer/family peer support workers in the behavioral health workforce in San Mateo County, whether employed at BHRS or in community agencies, who experience work-related distress. Also included are peer support specialists working in areas of specialization such as unhoused, crisis, and justice involved, and peer support specialists who may have been promoted in their organizations to other roles. The program will provide on-demand, non-clinical support in person and virtually, delivered by certified peer specialists. The program will also provide ongoing support groups and/or training as deemed necessary and appropriate. The goal of this project is to serve as a demonstration model for integrating formalized peer support practices that currently exist in an informal capacity within peer-run behavioral health organizations.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
It is anticipated that 20-40 unduplicated BHRS peer support workers will receive support services.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26* Estimated |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
Number of unduplicated BHRS peer support workers that will receive support services |
10-20 unduplicated peer support workers |
20-40 unduplicated peer support workers |
*Year 1 numbers are lower because it includes 3-6 months of startup activities; full project scope and clients served to begin in FY 2026-27.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This contract advances San Mateo County’s equity and BHRS priorities by providing confidential, peer-led support to peer workers, an essential workforce composed of individuals with lived experience, many from marginalized communities who are at increased risk of burnout and secondary trauma. This investment strengthens workforce wellbeing, retention, and sustainability; aligns with BHSA’s emphasis on peer-led and trauma-informed systems; and supports a resilient behavioral health workforce capable of delivering culturally responsive care to communities most impacted by inequities.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is March 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028. The County will have one option to extend the term for a period of one additional year to complete the approved pilot term, which the County may exercise based on its sole, absolute discretion, program evaluation, availability of funding, and division approval. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $450,000 for the three-year term, and funds in that amount are included in the BHRS FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget. Of that amount, 100% will be funded by the MHSA. There is no Net County Cost.
ATTACHMENT:
RFP Matrix