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 Heart and Soul, Inc. for Consumer-Run Peer-Support Services, Seeing Through Stigma Services, Consumer Leadership Development Services, and Helping Our Peers Emerge Program Services
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Heart and Soul, Inc. for consumer-run peer-support services, seeing through stigma, consumer leadership development services, and Help Our Peers Emerge program services, for the term July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,440,000.
body
BACKGROUND:
In 2002, the President’s New Freedom Commission on Mental Health identified consumer-operated self-help and peer-support services as critical components of effective community mental health systems. As a key service strategy in the Behavioral Health Services Act (BHSA) requirements, these services are essential in supporting consumers as they progress through all phases of wellness and recovery, including periods of relapse. Peer-support services are cost-effective and have been found to reach and engage mental health clients who otherwise may not be able to participate in community activity programs on their own. In 2009, Heart and Soul, Inc. (Heart and Soul) was established as an independent 501(c)(3) consumer-run organization to provide peer-support and self-help services in San Mateo County. Heart and Soul have been working with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) since its establishment.
In November 2023, BHRS conducted a Request for Proposals process for peer-support/self-help and mentoring services. Heart and Soul submitted a proposal and was recommended to provide these services, based on their proven track record of providing self-help peer-support services and their established collaboration with many agencies that provide recovery services. This resulted in an agreement between BHRS and Heart and Soul for the term of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026.
DISCUSSION:
Under this agreement, Heart and Soul will continue to provide informational stigma-reduction presentations and consumer-run peer-support services at five locations in the County. These include health and wellness groups, support, and activities, improving the health of seriously mentally ill individuals suffering from chronic health conditions. Through the Helping Our Peers Emerge program, Heart and Soul will provide peer-led services that ease the transition for individuals emerging back into the community through ongoing support and focus while maintaining stability in the community to prevent or reduce the frequency of subsequent hospital admissions.
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 agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
BHRS provides a range of services to support consumers, with consumer-run peer-support services being one established level of support. Participation in peer-support services is an indicator of the clients’ commitment to improving their own wellness and recovery. It is anticipated that 910 clients will participate in peer support/recovery activities across programs.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
Number of clients participating in peer support/recovery activities across programs |
900 participants |
910 participants |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This agreement will positively impact persons with lived experience of all ethnicities, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, and primary language in San Mateo County because it provides individuals with ongoing peer support for their continued recovery. The organization also provides ongoing peer support, recovery education, and technology assistance to people with lived experience already living in the community. The organization will mitigate negative impacts that hinder equitable outcomes for identified groups by actively recruiting staff from identified groups, providing services in San Mateo County’s threshold languages, including interpretation as needed, tailoring groups and activities to the needs of identified groups, and providing ongoing training for staff and clients on equity, diversity, and inclusion.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,440,000 for the one-year term. Funds in the amount of $1,440,000 are included in the BHRS FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget. Of the FY 2026-27 amount, it is anticipated that BHSA will fund $1,440,000. There is no Net County Cost.