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 CoastPride for Allcove™ Half Moon Bay
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with CoastPride for allcove™ Half Moon Bay, for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Between November 2022 and July 2023, a comprehensive Community Program Planning (CPP) process developed the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three-Year Plan for FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26, which was approved by this Board on September 12, 2023. The planning included review of 44 local plans, assessments, and evaluation reports. Additionally, over 400 community members participated in the CPP process via surveys, 31 community input sessions, key interviews, and a 30-day public comment process. Three areas of focus were prioritized for MHSA funding, including addressing Behavioral Health workforce needs, access to services for youth and underserved communities, and expanding the behavioral health crisis continuum of care. One of the strategies to address these areas of focus is to expand drop-in behavioral health services that include access to wraparound services for youth.
The allcove™ model, inspired by successful international models in Australia, Canada, and Ireland, creates stand-alone “one-stop-shop" health centers for young people ages 12 to 25 to access support for mild to moderate needs with mental health, physical health, substance use, peer support, supported education and employment, and family support, as well as linkages to community referrals in the continuum of care for more intensive needs. In June 2024, this Board entered into an agreement with Peninsula Health Care District to launch allcove™ San Mateo Youth Drop-In Center, and CoastPride will be the second agency to launch an allcove™ model in San Mateo County.
DISCUSSION:
The MHSA Steering Committee met on September 5, 2024, to review the innovation projects, including the allcove™ Half Moon Bay proposal. The Behavioral Health Commission voted to open the 30-day public comment period on October 2, 2024, and reviewed comments during the public hearing and closing of the public comment period on November 6, 2024.
The allcove™ Half Moon Bay Center will provide:
• A welcoming, accessible space informed by youth and stakeholder consultation.
• Holistic and coordinated services including mental health, substance use, physical health, supported education and employment, peer support, family support, and social and arts activities.
• Upstream, early intervention services that aim to positively alter even the most serious forms of mental illness through early detection and intervention.
• Youth-centered approaches that focus on resilience and identity, and a youth-friendly physical space with accessible hours of operation.
• Connections to community-based partners, including Ayudando Latinos a Soñar and Youth Leadership Institute.
CoastPride is one of few agencies across the state to launch and operate an allcove™ model. Working closely with Stanford’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Well Being leadership and the State of California Mental Health Services & Oversight Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), CoastPride received a startup grant from the MHSOAC and technical assistance to successfully pilot the allcove™ model.
Under Administrative Memorandum B-1, agreements that provide “sole source” services are exempt from the Request for Proposal process. A Sole Source request was reviewed by Procurement, which recommended for submission to this Board for approval.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments 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.
It is anticipated that allcove™ Half Moon Bay will serve 100-125 clients.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
Number of clients served by allcove™ Half Moon Bay |
100-125 clients |
100-125 clients |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
Programs and services funded by MHSA positively impact underserved communities struggling with mental health and substance use challenges. These MHSA funded programs and services provide direct services and supports, specifically to underserved racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, by implementing culturally responsive prevention and early intervention services. These groups were engaged in the planning and prioritizing of MHSA funding through the MHSA Three-Year Plan comprehensive community planning process and ongoing through the MHSA Steering Committee, the BHRS Office of Consumer and Family Affairs, and the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity, Health Equity Initiatives.
Despite being in one of the wealthiest counties in the nation, the County’s Coastside region is geographically isolated from the central, service-rich parts of the county and lacks equitable access to many services, including behavioral health services. Over 50% of Cabrillo Unified School District (CUSD) students identify as Hispanic/Latinx. Nearly half speak a language other than English at home and/or come from low-income households. The California Healthy Kids Survey of CUSD in 2022-23 found that one-third of students in grades 7, 9, and 11 report chronic sadness; 20% of 7th graders reported they had considered suicide; one-third of 11th graders reported social and emotional distress; and less than half of all students reported a sense of optimism. Furthermore, a 2023 community survey of 46 Latinx youth on the Coastside found that over 20% said they felt sad “most of the time” and 13% said they self-harmed. Over 60% said they didn’t think or know if anyone showed concern or were maybe just a little concern with what they are doing.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,500,000 for the three-year term. Funds in the amount of $1,000,000 are included in the BHRS FY 2025-26 Recommended Budget and will be funded 100% by the MHSA. There is no Net County Cost. Similar funding arrangements will be made for future years.