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: Amendment to the Agreement with ALAS: Ayudando Latinos a Sonar for Multi-Cultural Wellness Program Services on the Coastside
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with ALAS: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar for Multi-Cultural Wellness Program services on the Coastside, extending the term through August 31, 2024, and increasing the amount by $77,890 to an amount not to exceed $545,229.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 2020 ALAS: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) has provided Multi-Cultural Wellness Program (MCWP) services for behavioral health clients/consumers and their family members in the Coastside, serving from Half Moon Bay to Pescadero. The current agreement with ALAS for these services is for the term July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
In February 2024, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking an agency to provide MCWP services for behavioral health clients/consumers and their family members in the Coastside, from Half Moon Bay to Pescadero, ALAS was selected, and contract negotiations are still in process.
DISCUSSION:
In order to conclude RFP negotiations for the new MCWP services agreement, we are requesting a two-month extension of the current agreement, extending the term through August 31, 2024, and increasing the agreement amount proportionally. Once negotiated, the new MCWP agreement will be presented to this Board in August 2024.
Through this amended agreement, ALAS shall continue to provide culturally responsive community-based mental health and substance use services and programming, including peer support groups, art and wellness activities, capacity building, outreach and linkages to behavioral health services and other resources as needed for marginalized ethnic, linguistic and cultural communities in the Coastside region.
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 in their efforts towards wellness and recovery. The provision of multi-cultural center services to assist consumers with connecting to services addressing their needs and supporting wellness is one established form of support. It is anticipated that no fewer than 470 new clients will be served through short-term mental health services, case management and/or support groups.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2023-24 Estimated |
FY 2024 25 Projected |
|
Number of new clients served through short-term mental health services, case management and/or support groups |
≥470 new clients |
≥470 new clients |
EQUITY IMPACT:
The MCWP is dedicated to identifying and reaching the most vulnerable communities on the Coastside, employing a culturally sensitive approach to service delivery. The primary focus lies in supporting marginalized children, youth, and adults, primarily Latino (95%) who prefer or exclusively speak Spanish (90%), from the local rural Coastside, immigrant farmworker, and refugee communities. These groups have historically had limited access to services. In FY 2022-23, the MCWP served 140 unduplicated clients though therapy and/or case management services and engaged over 2,500 individuals through its core programs of cultural arts, social services, immigration, food pantry, and farmworker outreach. The MCWP has bilingual and bicultural staff, as well as language access services to meet the various needs of the communities they serve. The MCWP has increased resources on school sites, in addition to supporting social and emotional learning and the older adult population who are often isolated due to limited resources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this amended agreement is July 1, 2023 through August 31, 2024. The amount of this amended agreement is increased by $77,890 to a new not to exceed amount of $545,229. Funds in the amount of $77,890 are included in the BHRS FY 2024-25 Recommended Budget. Of that amount, 100% will be funded by the Mental Health Services Act. There is no Net County Cost.