Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Measure K: Grant Agreement with Peninsula Family Service for Older Adult Peer Counseling Services and Implement the You Talk We Listen Program
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a grant agreement with Peninsula Family Service to provide older adult peer counseling services and implement the You Talk We Listen Program for the term of December 10, 2024 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,331,761.
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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 the 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 Peninsula Family Service (PFS) was approved for an award of Measure K funds under the Children, Families, and Seniors priority area to provide Older Adult Peer Counseling (OAPC) services and to implement the You Talk We Listen (YTWL) program for the period of December 10, 2024, through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,331,761.
Since 2008, PFS has provided OAPC services in the County. PFS’ OAPC program provides bilingual/multi-cultural older adult peer counseling services, targeting the County’s older adult population. The latter includes the Chinese, Filipino, and African American population and clients who live on the Coast side, North County, and South County. OAPC staff recruit, train, and supervise volunteers who provide direct individual and group services to older adults. Through the OAPC program, PFS also provides outreach and engagement services to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) population, as well as to previously underserved geographical areas.
DISCUSSION:
This Measure K funding will support PFS in the following three areas:
1) Increased Program participation in targeted populations: PFS plans to use this Measure K funding to increase participation in the OAPC program as described above. The increased participation will be among African American and LGBTQ+ populations, through targeted outreach and culturally relevant services.
2) Increased number of Volunteer Counselors: PFS plans to use this Measure K funding to increase the number of their OAPC Volunteer Counselors. PFS will continue to recruit, train, and supervise volunteers providing direct individual and group services to older adults.
3) Implementation of new YTWL program: As an enhancement to existing OAPC services, PFS will introduce the new YTWL program to providing licensed therapy for those OAPC participants identified as high-risk through a comprehensive screening process, in order to support the mental health well-being of older adults.
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 County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that in the first year, 25% of clients served will be new unduplicated clients and in the second year, 40% of clients served will be new unduplicated clients.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
|
Percentage of clients served that are new unduplicated clients |
25% 276 clients |
40% 393 clients |
EQUITY IMPACT:
This agreement will positively impact a critically underserved community of vulnerable older adult clients from the African American community and the LGBTQ+ community who would benefit from OAPC support. OAPC services are a vital resource for older adults who face being more isolated post-pandemic. This agreement with PFS would increase the ability for underserved populations such as the African American and LGBTQ+ older adults to obtain services such as connecting with compassionate peer counselors to learn new coping skills, reduce isolation, and learn about community resources such as In Home Support Services, Second Harvest Food Bank and senior centers. Having older adults connect with peer counselors can reduce loneliness, anxiety and depression and can improve their quality of life and age in place in a community setting.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is December 10, 2024 through June 30, 2027. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,331,761 for the 31-month term. Funds in the amount of $424,339 are included in the BHRS FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget. Of the FY 2024-25 amount, it is anticipated that 100% will be funded by Measure K funds. Similar arrangements will be made for future years.