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 Telecare Corporation for Supported Housing Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Telecare Corporation for Supported Housing Services, for the term July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, in an amount not to exceed $5,258,689.
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BACKGROUND:
Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has contracted with Telecare Corporation (Telecare) since March 1, 2024 for the provision of supported housing services. In November 2022, BHRS issued a Request for Proposals seeking two separate agencies to provide a co-housing program at the new Cordilleras campus, with one agency providing property management services and one agency providing supported housing services. Telecare and ABODE Services submitted a joint proposal, which was selected in February of 2023. Telecare proposed to provide the supported housing services for consumers in transitional housing.
Telecare provides supported housing services for 57 consumers residing in permanent and transitional housing at the Canyon Vista campus center. Telecare works in partnership with ABODE Property Management, who provides property management services to consumers residing in Canyon Vista through a separate agreement.
The renewal agreement with ABODE for property management services will be submitted to this Board separately.
Telecare operates numerous mental health facilities throughout California. For BHRS, Telecare currently contracts to provide Full Service Partnership services, crisis residential services at Serenity House, and Mental Health Resource Center and residential services at the current Cordilleras facility, which they have done since 1982.
DISCUSSION:
Telecare will provide supportive housing services for up to 57 adult consumers who are seriously mentally ill and residing in Canyon Vista. Available services will include Medi-Cal billable support services.
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 tenants living in the permanent housing units will remain housed for at least 12 months after move in, and 90% of tenants in the transitional housing units will move to permanent housing within 24 months of move in.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
Percentage of tenants living in the permanent housing units who remain housed for at least 12 months after move in |
90% 25 of 28 tenants |
90% 25 of 28 tenants |
|
Percentage of transitional housing tenants who move to permanent housing within 24 months of move in |
90% 26 of 29 tenants |
90% 26 of 29 tenants |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
This contract advances the County’s goals of supporting individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders who are experiencing homelessness or chronic housing instability. The Canyon Vista supported co-housing model provides a stable living environment paired with on-site supportive services, including behavioral health case management, offering residents a cost-effective, community-based alternative to higher-acuity institutional placements. This housing-first approach helps residents stabilize, engage in treatment, and progress toward long-term housing and recovery.
The program reduces barriers to care by integrating housing support with behavioral health services, ensuring that individuals with complex needs can access consistent, person-centered, and culturally and trauma-informed support. Telecare plays a critical role in addressing these growing needs by providing a safe, supportive, and recovery-oriented environment for some of the County’s most vulnerable residents. This contract strengthens the behavioral health and housing continuum, improves client outcomes, and supports the County’s broader goals related to stabilization, recovery, and responsible stewardship of public resources.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028. The amount of this agreement is not to exceed $5,258,689 for the two-year term. Funds in the amount of $2,626,448 are included in the Recommended BHRS FY 2026-27 Budget.
Of that amount, Behavioral Health Services Act will fund $852,502; 1991 Realignment will fund $555,642; the State Behavioral Health Bridge Housing grant will fund $550,540; Growth Cap will fund $127,506; and the Net County Cost is $567,258. Similar arrangements will be made for FY 2027-28.
Attachment:
RFP Matrix