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: Measure K: Grant Agreement with Mental Health Association of San Mateo County for Housing-Related Mental Health Services and Rehabilitation Services that includes Utilization of Two Registered Nurses
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a grant agreement with Mental Health Association of San Mateo County for housing-related mental health services and rehabilitation services that includes the utilization of two registered nurses for the term of July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $350,272.
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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 30 years.
In response to Board direction, County staff gathered community input regarding priorities for the allocation of Measure K funds. Staff collected feedback from community-based organizations and County departments and conducted a countywide survey and listening sessions to obtain resident input. At the October 3, 2023 Measure K study session, staff presented a report produced by InterEthnica, summarizing the results of the surveys and listening sessions which provided valuable input for the Board.
On October 17, 2023, after considering the County’s needs and community input, this Board finalized and approved the following priority areas for FY 2024-25 Measure K funding: Children, Families, and Seniors; Housing and Homelessness; and Emergency Preparedness. Mental Health is a component of each priority area rather than a stand-alone item. In addition to the approval of the priority areas, this Board authorized the County Executive to develop and proceed with a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process to obtain applications for funding within the approved priority areas and subcategories identified by this Board.
On March 27, 2024, and June 25, 2024, this Board approved recommended applications received pursuant to the NOFO and authorized the County Executive to negotiate agreements with applicants to be returned to this Board for approval. By this action, the application of Mental Health Association of San Mateo County (MHA) was approved for an award of Measure K funds under the Housing and Homelessness priority area to implement two registered nurses to provide medical case management, assist residents in making and keeping appointments, and accompany residents to critical care appointments for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $350,272.
For many years, MHA has contracted with Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) to provide shelter, supported housing, and other mental health rehabilitation services to County clients. These services focus primarily on providing community-based alternatives for BHRS clients who are at risk of an acute, inpatient psychiatric admission; placed in a locked skilled nursing facility; or becoming homeless.
DISCUSSION:
This Measure K funded grant agreement will support MHA in the following area:
1) Two FTE registered nurses who will be specifically tasked with working at and with partner site agencies: MHA plans to use this Measure K funding to implement nursing staff that will provide medical case management, assist residents in making and keeping appointments for regular care as well as specialty care, be available to accompany residents to critical appointments and assist in communicating issues, problems, and history to providers when residents either cannot or do not remember, as well as ensuring residents adhere to treatment regimens and follow-up appointments.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligation 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 90% of clients served will be new unduplicated Serious Mental Illness clients.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
|
Percentage of clients served that will be new unduplicated Serious Mental Illness clients |
90% 200 clients |
90% 200 clients |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This agreement will positively impact a critically underserved community of behavioral health clients who have severe mental illness and traditionally have been underserved due to being: unhoused and lacking a fixed place of residence; extremely low-income; often disabled by mental illness or mental health conditions and substance use disorders. With this agreement, clients will benefit from outpatient services from registered nurses that will support their stabilization and recovery. Providers such as MHA are a vital resource for such individuals, as they have expertise in supporting unhoused populations and helping clients continue to be housed. Having this agreement with MHA is instrumental in connecting clients to the critical services clients need as well as providing support and direct assistance to safely keep them from unnecessarily utilizing emergency room services. MHA has demonstrated that nurses on their teams have been successful in helping residents obtain and participate in treatment they otherwise would not or could not receive. This allows for wrap-around supports which is particularly important when clients have chosen not to participate in mainstream services. This provider is committed to serving this population and supporting them with achieving their recovery goals.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $350,272 for the 12-month term. Funds in the amount of $350,272 are included in the BHRS FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget. Of the FY 2025-26 amount, it is anticipated that 100% will be funded by Measure K funds. Similar arrangements will be made for future years.