Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 5
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $50,000, to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) San Mateo County to sustain and expand free, evidence-based mental health education, support, and advocacy programs serving residents throughout San Mateo County, and authorizing the County Executive, or designee, to execute the grant agreement.
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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 thirty years.
The Board of Supervisors held study sessions on Measure K expenditures and approved funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26 budget cycle, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for one-time district-discretionary needs and projects. District 5 has submitted a request to use a portion of its district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 5 (Supervisor David J. Canepa) - NAMI San Mateo County |
$50,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. District 5 indicates that this organization is either a public agency operating within the County, or a nonprofit organization registered and in good standing with the California Attorney General. District 5 indicates that the sponsoring Board member, member’s family, and member’s supervisorial staff do not serve as an officer, director, or play a policy role for the grantee organization.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to NAMI San Mateo County (NAMI SMC) and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, to help sustain and expand NAMI SMC’s free, evidence-based mental health education, support, and advocacy programs that serve residents across all regions of San Mateo County.
District-discretionary Measure K funding for this organization has previously been provided as listed below:
• District 1, 1/29/2019: $15,000 to NAMI SMC to provide stipends for peer leaders in its “Peer-to-Peer” programs.
NAMI SMC provides compassionate support, education, and advocacy to enhance the quality of life for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Founded locally in 1974, NAMI SMC is the original affiliate of the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization and remains a trusted resource for free, community-based programs that reduce stigma, promote recovery, and strengthen family and community well-being.
Each year, NAMI SMC reaches more than 7,000 San Mateo County residents through evidence-based education, peer and family support, and public awareness initiatives. The programs are free, accessible, and culturally responsive, offered in English and Spanish, with Mandarin programming under development, to ensure equity across diverse communities.
This district-discretionary grant will be used to fund the following project or services:
Measure K funding will provide essential operating support to sustain and expand NAMI SMC’s work. Flexible support enables NAMI SMC to maintain a strong countywide presence, retain trained facilitators, expand outreach, and ensure equitable access for residents of all ages, backgrounds, and income levels.
The core program areas include:
● Education & Training Programs - Free, evidence-based courses that are proven to help families, peers, and professionals better understand and respond to mental health conditions. Programs include Family-to-Family, Peer-to-Peer, NAMI Basics, Provider Education, and Sharing Your Story with Law Enforcement. These courses build understanding, communication, and collaboration between individuals, families, and service providers.
● Support & Peer Programs - Safe, peer-led spaces for individuals and families to share experiences, find encouragement, and build community. Offerings include specialized support groups for youth, older adults, parents, Spanish-speaking families, and Black/African Ancestry communities; 20s Connection social meetups to reduce isolation; and the Uplift program for teens ages 11-18 to build emotional resilience and coping skills.
● Awareness & Advocacy Programs - Outreach and education efforts that reduce stigma and promote early help-seeking through school and community presentations, storytelling, and public events. Signature offerings include Ending the Silence (school presentations), In Our Own Voice (personal recovery stories), NAMI Smarts for Advocacy (civic engagement workshops), and the Speaker Series and annual NAMI Walks event.
Together, these initiatives create a continuum of prevention, education, and support that strengthens San Mateo County’s mental health safety net. With Measure K funding, NAMI SMC will continue ensuring that individuals and families, particularly those from low-income, and underserved communities, have free, local access to trusted mental health education, peer connection, and recovery resources.
This district-discretionary grant will enable the organization to meet the following currently unmet need or service gap within the County: the need for free, culturally responsive mental-health education, peer support, and outreach that reaches residents before they reach a crisis point. Many people, especially youth, older adults, BIPOC families, and low-income residents, face long wait times, stigma, and limited access to affordable care. The grant will help NAMI SMC fill the service gap by offering free, evidence-based classes, peer and family support groups, and school and community presentations that increase early identification, reduce isolation, and connect residents to care sooner.
District 5 has informed the grantee organization that this grant is one-time only, and that the grantee organization will need to find other sources of funding going forward. The grantee organization will use the Measure K grant as follows: Measure K funding will be used to support approximately 0.11 FTE for the Peer and Support Groups Program Coordinator and 0.11 FTE for the Education and Communications Program Manager. These positions manage outreach and deliver our education and peer-based support group programs, so the funding will support intentional outreach in low-income communities so residents know about our services and can access them without barriers. In addition, the grant will help NAMI SMC create outreach and marketing materials, such as social media graphics, flyers, and other print materials, so more residents are aware of our programs and can get help when they need it. Finally, Measure K will fund a small portion of essential administrative costs, including accounting, facilities, and Executive Director oversight time.
The project or services funded by this district-discretionary grant will be implemented or provided during the 2026 calendar year and is estimated to be completed 12/31/2026.
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $50,000
The release of funds will be contingent on the execution of an agreement providing for the County’s confirmation of the expenditure of funds for the purposes stated herein. The County will disburse the funds to the following organization for the purposes described above:
Organization Name: NAMI San Mateo County
Address: 1730 South Amphlett Blvd, Suite 308, San Mateo, CA 94402
Primary Contact Name: Laura Parmer-Lohan, Executive Director
Email: lparmerlohan@namisanmateo.org <mailto:lparmerlohan@namisanmateo.org>
Phone: 650-743-0059
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Individuals served through NAMI SMC programs, classes, and support groups countywide |
At least 7,000 individuals annually |
|
Percentage of programs offered free of charge to all participants |
100% |
|
Percentage of participants from low-income, or underserved communities |
45% |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2025-26 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.