Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 3 and Supervisorial District 4
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $100,000 to Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, to provide core services to residents of long-term care facilities in San Mateo County for a term of May 21, 2024 through June 30, 2025, and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended in November 2016 for a total of thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors (Board) held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2023-24 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. Districts 3 and 4 have submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
Even split between District 3 (Supervisor Ray Mueller) and District 4 (Supervisor Warren Slocum) - Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County (Ombudsman) to provide core services to residents of long-term care facilities in San Mateo County for May 21, 2024-June 30, 2025 |
$100,000 Total |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. Districts 3 and 4 indicate that this organization is either a public agency operating within the County or a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the California Attorney General. Districts 3 and 4 indicate that the sponsoring Board members, members’ family, and members’ supervisorial staff do not serve as an officer, director, or play a policy role for the grantee organization.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Ombudsman, and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, to provide core services to residents of long-term care facilities in San Mateo County from May 21, 2024 through June 30, 2025. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District-discretionary Measure K funding for this organization has previously been provided as listed below:
• On May 5, 2020, the Board of Supervisors approved district-discretionary Measure K funding to Ombudsman in the amount of $122,000 for ongoing support and services to long-term care patients to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
Ombudsman provides onsite monitoring and complaint investigation and resolution services to individuals residing in San Mateo County long-term care facilities. It is a federally-mandated program established in 2009 to ensure the protection of residents of long-term care facilities (including nursing homes, board & care, and care facilities for the physically and mentally disabled) through advocacy, direct intervention, and education. It is the only program in San Mateo County dedicated to advocating for the dignity and quality of life of people living in licensed residential care facilities for the elderly and skilled nursing facilities.
Ombusdman serves as a trusted resource for residents and family members to turn to for information and help resolving issues. Since 60% of the residents in these facilities have no visitors, the services Ombudsman provides are of immense value to this community. Their specially-trained and state-certified volunteers monitor, investigate and resolve cases involving long-term care residents. The volunteer ombudsmen regularly visit local facilities and speak directly with residents. The program ensures that every person living in a residential care or skilled nursing facility in San Mateo County has someone on their side under the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, valued and supported, so they can enjoy their best quality of life. Ombudsman’s services are essential to preventing abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the County’s most vulnerable residents.
While the program is federally mandated, it is solely funded through state, county, and private funding. Grant funding is necessary to allow for the continuation of Ombudsman's existing essential services from May 21, 2024-June 30, 2025. The proposed funding will fund Ombudsman services which may include but are not limited to:
• Training and placement of field Ombudsman staff and volunteers with facilities throughout the County
• Visits to all facilities in the County and responding to any issues/concerns raised by families/residents/patients
Districts 3 and 4 have informed the grantee organization that this grant is one-time only, and that the grantee organization will need to find other sources of funding going forward.
The project or services funded by this district-discretionary grant will be implemented or provided from May 21, 2024 through June 30, 2025.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $100,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc.
Elyse Brummer, MPA
Executive Director
1455 Madison Ave.
Redwood City, CA 94061
650-780-5702
elysebrummer@ossmc.org <mailto:elysebrummer@ossmc.org>
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Continuity of Ombudsman services (such as visiting patients and responding to any concerns or complaints) to patients in long-term care facilities in San Mateo County from May 21, 2024 through June 30, 2025. |
Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2023-24 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2023-24 Adopted Budget.