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: Memorandum of Understanding with San Mateo County Office of Education for Mental Health Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services and San Mateo County Office of Education to provide funding for mental health services for children and youth in San Mateo County for the term of February 25, 2025 through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Measure K is the half-cent general sales tax initially approved by the San Mateo County voters in November 2012 and extended through November 2016 for a total of thirty years. In response to Board direction, 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, 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, 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 the San Mateo County Office of Education (SMCOE) was approved for an award of Measure K funds under the Children, Families, and Seniors priority area for the period of February 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000.
DISCUSSION:
In 2023 the San Mateo County Coalition for Safe Schools and Communities (The Coalition) launched the “United for Youth” effort, in partnership with local school districts and more than twenty public agencies and community-based organizations. The Coalition, through United for Youth, launched United for Youth Vision 2030 as a Plan of Action offering recommended priorities that public and private partners can address through their own resources and strategic investments to achieve improvements in youth behavioral health and well-being over a six-year timeline. This Plan focuses resources on populations that experience the greatest disparities.
Updated quarterly, SMCOE will track and report disaggregated data for youth served to show sustained and progressive increase in service reach and outcomes for all students sought to be served throughout the term of the MOU.
Measure K funding will be used to enable SMCOE to implement United for Youth Vision 2030 behavioral health services for youth and transition-aged youth.
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form. This agreement is late due to extended negotiations with SMCOE.
It is anticipated that the percent of youth served by ethnicity/race and special population (LGBTQIA+ and/or SOGI) from an initial baseline of zero, and every six months thereafter, will be 10%, with a total of 10% increase for race/ethnicity and special population over the term of the MOU.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2024-25 Estimated |
FY 2025-26 Projected |
|
The percent of youth served by ethnicity/race and special population (LGBTQIA+ and/or SOGI) from an initial baseline of zero, and every 6 months thereafter, with a total of 10% increase for race/ethnicity and special population over the term of the MOU. |
5% children/youth |
10% children/youth |
EQUITY IMPACT:
Youth behavioral health needs transcend racial, ethnic, and economic divides, yet less access to effective resources exacerbates existing disparities. In 2022, 31.4% of youth in San Mateo County identified as Latine, 22.7% as Asian (2021), 1.4% as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 1.8% as Black/African American (2020). Notably, children aged 0-18 in San Mateo County are even more diverse than the county’s general population.
Research shows that many youth, including Black/African American, Latine, and LGBTQ+ youth, face significant barriers to accessing behavioral health care. LGBTQ+ youth, in particular, are at greater risk of depression, suicidality, and substance abuse. Youth of color in San Mateo County are disproportionately represented in foster care and juvenile justice systems: Black/African American children are placed in foster care at significantly higher rates than their peers, and 52% of youth on probation identify as Latine. Additionally, juvenile status and felony arrest rates for Black/African American youth are 12-19 times higher than those of White youth. Geographic data further reveal areas of heightened social and economic adversity, compounding the challenges our youth face.
With the support of Measure K funding, community partners can help implement activities aligned with the priorities in the United for Youth Plan of Action, increasing access to services, reducing disparities, and enhancing overall youth wellness. By prioritizing culturally aligned and accessible behavioral health services, creating safe and affirming environments, and expanding social-emotional learning, San Mateo County can address disparities and ensure every young person has the support they need to thrive.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the MOU is February 25, 2025 through June 30, 2027. The maximum amount of this MOU is $1,500,000 for the 28-month term, and will be funded by Measure K funds. Of that amount, $500,000 is included in the BHRS Adopted 2024-25 Budget under Non-Departmental Services. Similar arrangements will be made for future years.