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 1
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $50,000, to San Mateo County Health Foundation to support the Caring Hands in Health program, 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 (Board) 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 1 has submitted a request to use their district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
District 1 (Supervisor Jackie Speier) - San Mateo County Health Foundation: support for Caring Hands in Health |
$50,000.00 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018. District 1 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 1 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. Supervisor Speier serves on the board for the San Mateo Medical Center, which is a collaborative partner of the San Mateo County Health Foundation, but does not serve on the board of the San Mateo County Health Foundation.
DISCUSSION:
This is a request to authorize a grant to the San Mateo County Health Foundation (SMCHF), and resulting grant agreement, in an amount not to exceed $50,000, to support Caring Hands in Health. The County Executive’s Office will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
District-discretionary Measure K funding for this organization has previously been provided as listed below:
• On July 22, 2022, the Board of Supervisors approved $150,000 in district-discretionary Measure K funds to SMCHF to support Caring Hands in Health.
• On June 13, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved $150,000 in district-discretionary Measure K funds to SMCHF to support Caring Hands in Health.
• On December 10, 2024, the Board of Supervisors approved $56,473 in district-discretionary Measure K funds to SMCHF to support Caring Hands in Health.
The San Mateo County Health Foundation serves as the philanthropic partner of the San Mateo Medical Center and services approximately 79,000 patients within the San Mateo County Health system. Caring Hands in Health is SMCHF’s direct patient assistance program, serving low-income, uninsured, underinsured, and financially vulnerable San Mateo County residents whose health and recovery are impacted by financial hardship and social determinants of health. The program primarily supports patients receiving care through the San Mateo Medical Center system and its clinic network, including seniors, families with children, essential workers, individuals recovering from illness or hospitalization, and residents experiencing acute medical or financial crises.
This district-discretionary grant will be used to fund rapid response emergency assistance designed to stabilize patients and families during periods of vulnerability, and to prevent short-term hardship from becoming long-term crises. Services supported through Caring Hands in Health include:
• Housing support to prevent eviction and homelessness
• Temporary lodging assistance for medically vulnerable patients and families
• Transportation assistance for medical appointments and treatment access
• Emergency food, hygiene, and other essential needs support
• Medical-related assistance not otherwise covered through existing resources
This district-discretionary grant will enable the organization to meet the following unmet need or service gap within the County: SMCHF will use the funds to directly support San Mateo County residents facing urgent health and financial challenges by helping them meet basic needs during periods of crisis. Before approving a request for assistance, SMCHF confirms that the patient has been referred to the hospital’s social work team for community resources, ongoing case management, and sustainable support.
District 1 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:
Budget
|
Essential Needs. Basic living necessities include but not limited to: vouchers for groceries and hygiene supplies; baby items such as car seats, strollers, cribs, diapers; and other vital needs |
$18,360 |
|
Housing Support. Emergency assistance to cover half of rent to avoid eviction. Patient must cover other half on their own or through other resources and must have a plan towards housing stabilization |
$12,740 |
|
Temporary Lodging. Recuperative housing for patients (173 motel room nights at $80-$90 per night) |
$14,720 |
|
Transportation. Rides for medical appointments and treatment access not covered by other resources (i.e., companion ride after colonoscopy) |
$600 |
|
Medical Assistance. Medical equipment and supplies and assistance with copays and prescription drug costs, including but not limited to: glucose monitors/diabetic supplies, blood pressure cuffs, wheelchairs, walkers, canes; items used for physical therapy such as peddlers, orthotic accessories, TENS unit stimulators, bed wedges for neck and back pain; bedrails, mattresses, chair lifts; medical and dental copays and prescriptions outside of insurance coverage such as medication, procedures, eyeglasses, etc. |
$3,580 |
|
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $50,000.00 |
|
The project or services funded by this district-discretionary grant will be implemented or provided from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2027, and is estimated to be completed by June 30, 2027.
Caring Hands in Health has partnerships with other County departments and organizations providing support such as the San Mateo Medical Center, and the Human Services Agency.
The following other community organizations are or were involved in contributing funds to this project/these services, as follows:
Peninsula Health Care District, contribution amount: $60,000
LB Charitable Trust, contribution amount: $10,000
Teichert Foundation, contribution amount: $7,500
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 and meeting the programs performance measures.
San Mateo County Health Foundation
John Jurow, Chief Executive Officer
222 West 39th Avenue, San Mateo, CA 94403
(650) 573-2655
Email: jjurow@smcgov.org
Additional Contact: Dana Floro, Director of Operations, c_dfloro@smcgov.org
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Provide 102 patients with groceries, personal care supplies, baby items, and other basic living necessities |
Complete |
|
Provide 27 patients with emergency rental assistance to prevent eviction and homelessness |
Complete |
|
Provide 13 patients with temporary lodging for recuperative care for up to 30 days, if needed |
Complete |
|
Provide 6 patients rides for medical appointments and treatment access |
Complete |
|
Provide 31 patients medical assistance for equipment, supplies, copays, and prescription drug costs |
Complete |
The County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
COMMUNITY IMPACT:
High medical costs are prohibitive to an individual in need of urgent or preventative care, causing individuals financial stress and potentially leading to worse health outcomes. This funding will help SMCHF provide equipment, copay assistance, recuperative housing, and other basic needs for community members in need so they can access the medical care they deserve.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific FY 2026-27 Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2026-27 Approved Recommended Budget