Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Executive
Subject: Measure K: Agreement with Friends for Youth, Inc. to provide mentorship to underserved youth in San Mateo County via community volunteers as well as provide and connect youth and their families to behavioral health and wellness resources
RECOMMENDATION:
title
Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing:
A) The President of the Board of Supervisors to execute an agreement with Friends for Youth, Inc. to provide mentorship via community volunteers to underserved youth in San Mateo County as well as provide and connect youth and their families to behavioral health and wellness resources for the term of November 12, 2024 to June 30, 2027 in an amount not to exceed $750,000; and
B) Two options to extend the agreement for one year for each option, in an amount not to exceed an additional $250,000 for the first option, if exercised, and an amount not to exceed an additional $250,000 for the second option, if exercised, at the sole discretion of the County Executive or designee.
body
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.
In response to Board direction, County staff gathered community input regarding priorities for the allocation of Measure K funds. Staff collected feedback from Community Based Organizations, 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, after considering the County’s needs and community input, 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, and June 25, 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 Friends for Youth was approved for an award of Measure K funds under the Children, Families, and Seniors Priority Area.
DISCUSSION:
Friends for Youth (FFY) is a nationally recognized, award winning direct-service agency with over four decades of measurable success in mentoring and provides quality mentoring relationships for underserved youth across San Mateo County who need support most, with the goal of empowering them and their families to be mentally and behaviorally healthy, emotionally secure, and equipped with resiliency-building skill.
FFY will utilize Measure K funds to cover staff time to maintain and expand their 1:1 and site-based group mentoring by recruiting and training volunteers and expanding mentorship to new schools and school districts. FFY will also provide services such as bilingual mental health counseling services, single parent support groups, Zumba, Yoga & Wellness, Community Art Nights, Community Sports Nights, and Seasonal Community events to improve participants’ and families’ social emotional health as well as awareness around mental health and wellness resources as part of their Whole Health for Youth initiative.
Mentoring is recognized by mental health experts as a crucial preventative intervention, offering much-needed adult support. FFY’s school-based 1:1 and group mentoring programs provide consistent, accessible, and culturally-sensitive social, emotional, and mental health care. FFY’s programs create safe spaces for youth to openly discuss their concerns, fostering positive experiences and build social and emotional skills. FFY’s follow-through from 5th to 12th grade supports youth through life transitions between elementary, middle and high school and beyond.
Providing quality mentorship from community members to youth who might be struggling with mental health, school attendance, or the criminal justice system has a profound positive impact on the youth’s outcomes, which in turn supports their future success in their lives, both academically, professionally, and personally.
FFY has reported that youth in their programs have improved school attendance, are able to avoid the criminal justice system, and avoid or decrease drug use, and that their mentor motivates them to do better in school and help them find positive ways to deal with challenging issues and emotions.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Measure |
Target |
|
Percentage of 1-to-1 mentees being ‘satisfied or ‘highly satisfied’ with their experience |
Maintain 90% |
|
Percentage increase in the number of 1-to-1 mentorships that last a full year |
From 50% in 2022/2023 to 75% by 2026 |
|
Increase number of youth participating in group mentoring services |
420 students by 2026 |
|
Expand presence of group mentoring in school districts |
To all school districts FFY currently serves and add San Mateo Union High School District |
|
Percent of caregivers participating in wellness and empowerment programs report improved support and personal well-being, and more knowledge about how to support youth mental health and wellness |
85% by 2026 |
|
Percent of staff who report improved knowledge of how to support youth mental health |
90% by 2026 |
FFY will provide robust quarterly and annual reporting to report on their performance measures, and share stories and photos from their work in the community.
EQUITY IMPACT:
FFY participants are predominately low-income Black, Indigenous, and People of Color families in East Palo Alto, North Fair Oaks, Redwood City and San Mateo. 81% of their participating youth are Latinx, 100% of participants are low income, and 92% are very low income.
To address language barriers, FFY offers intentional Spanish-speaking and bilingual group mentoring programs, and provides applications, surveys and fliers in Spanish for families.
FFY ensures those providing services either come from, or are an active part of, the communities being served. Similar lived experiences and realities create common ground for understanding and trust between their organization and the people they serve.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The initial term of the agreement is from November 12, 2024 to June 30, 2027 for an amount not to exceed $750,000. The County will have the sole option to extend the term of the agreement for up to two (2) additional one (1) year terms: (i) from July 1, 2027 to June 30, 2028, and (ii) from July 1, 2028 to June 30, 2029. If both options are exercised, the total agreement not to exceed amount would be $1,250,000 (limited to $250,000 per fiscal year).
The agreement will be funded through Measure K funds. The Measure K funds are included in the FY 2024-25 Adopted Budget.
There is no Net County Cost associated with approving this recommendation.