Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors, Acting as the Governing Board of the Area Agency on Aging
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Lee Pullen, Director, Aging and Disability Services
Subject: Acceptance of HICAP Funds from the California Department of Aging and Provider Amendment One with Self Help for the Elderly
RECOMMENDATION:
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Acting as the Governing Board of the Area Agency on Aging for the County of San Mateo, adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) Acceptance of Older Americans Act funds for the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program from the California Department of Aging (CDA) in the amount of $367,571; and
B) Execution of Amendment One to the agreement with Self Help for the Elderly for Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program services, for the term of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $337,853.
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BACKGROUND:
Every four years, this Board of Supervisors, acting as the Governing Board of the Area Agency on Aging (AAA) for the County of San Mateo, reviews and approves an Area Plan for submission to California Department of Aging (CDA).
The Area Plan profiles the County’s older adult population, identifies goals for addressing the needs of older adults and adults with disabilities, and recommends services to be funded with San Mateo County’s Older Americans Act (OAA) funds. Those services include the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP).
HICAP provides Medicare health insurance counseling to an average of 2,000 County clients per year. This service helps clients make informed decisions about their health care needs and understand the Medicare benefits available to them. Access to a trusted source of Medicare health insurance information supports the Area Plan’s goal of maintaining a healthy older adult population. This funding memorandum of understanding with CDA allows the County to accept HICAP funds to support this work.
Previously, the County included HICAP funding within this Board’s authorization to accept CDA funding and execute provider agreements for OAA services. However, HICAP operates on a distinct funding cycle from April 1 through March 31, whereas OAA programs follow a July 1 through June 30 cycle.
As funding for HICAP was received in March 2026, ADS elected to execute a three-month agreement with Self Help for the Elderly with a term of April 1 to June 30, 2026, with an initial agreement amount of $84,471.
DISCUSSION:
In March 2026, the AAA, a unit of Aging and Disability Services (ADS), issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the provision of HICAP services to older adults and adults with disabilities for the term of July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2030, along with other OAA services. Self Help for the Elderly was selected by the RFP Evaluation Committee to provide HICAP services to San Mateo County residents. Self Help for the Elderly has been a long-term provider for HICAP services and is well-regarded for its community impact.
The County proposes to amend the existing agreement with Self Help for the Elderly and the terms of the amended agreement with Self Help for the Elderly are consistent with prior agreements and comply with CDA requirements, and the agreement shall be for an amended term of April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027 for an amount not to exceed $337.853.
ADS requests that the this Board authorize the Chief of San Mateo County Health, or the Chief’s designee to execute any future amendments to the agreement with Self Help for the Elderly that modify the County’s maximum fiscal obligation and/or modify the contract term by no more than $25,000 (in aggregate) and/or modify the contract term and/or services so long as the modified term or services is/are within the current or revised fiscal provisions.
The resolution has been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form, and all agreements will be approved by the County Attorney as to form.
It is anticipated that 2,441 unduplicated older adults will be served by HICAP. The FY 2026-27 estimate is aligned with service projections established for the upcoming funding period.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2025-26 Estimated |
FY 2026-27 Projected |
|
Number of unduplicated older adults served by HICAP |
2,441 adults |
2,441 adults |
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
HICAP provides older adults and adults with disabilities who are eligible for Medicare with free, confidential, one-on-one counseling, education, and assistance to help them understand complex insurance options and identify the coverage that best meets their needs. Eligible Medicare beneficiaries include adults with disabilities, who make up approximately 18% of the population (140,657 people), and older adults, who make up 18.4% of the population in San Mateo County. According to 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the demographic profile of this population by race and ethnicity is 37% White, 39% Asian, 17% Latino, 2% Black, 1% Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, and 4% other race.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the HICAP provider amendment is from April 1, 2026, through March 31, 2027. The total amount of funds accepted from CDA is $367,571. The amendment will not exceed $337,853 for the one-year term. The full amount is expected to be funded by state and federal funds. Funds for these services will be included in the ADS FY 2026-27 Recommended Budget.
Attachment: RFP Matrix