Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health, and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with Peninsula Health Care District for Allcove™ Youth Drop-In Center
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Peninsula Health Care District for Allcove™ San Mateo Youth Drop-In Center for the term of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000.
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BACKGROUND:
Between November 2022 and July 2023, a comprehensive Community Program Planning (CPP) process developed the Mental Health Services Act (MHSA) Three-Year Plan for FY 2023-24 through FY 2025-26 (MHSA Plan), which was approved by this Board on September 12, 2023. The planning included review of 44 local plans, assessments, and evaluation reports. Additionally, over 400 community members participated in the CPP process via surveys, 31 community input sessions, key interviews, and a 30-day public comment process. Three areas of focus were prioritized for MHSA funding, including: addressing Behavioral Health Workforce needs, Access to Services for youth and underserved communities, and expanding the behavioral health Crisis Continuum of Care.
DISCUSSION:
One key component of the MHSA Plan is the Allcove™ San Mateo Youth Drop-In Center (Center), launched and operated by the Peninsula Health Care District (PHCD). The Center is based on the unique Allcove™ model, inspired by successful international models in Australia, Canada, and Ireland. The Allcove™ model creates stand-alone, “one-stop-shop” health centers for young people ages 12 to 25 to access support for mild to moderate needs with mental health, physical health, substance use, peer support, supported education and employment, and family support, as well as linkages to community referrals in the continuum of care for more intensive needs.
The Center addresses the County MHSA Plan’s Access to Services focus area described above and specifically the first of two strategies as follows:
• Expand drop-in behavioral health services that includes access to wrap-around services and supports for youth.
• Coordinate behavioral health services for cultural and ethnic communities (centralize services, outreach and education for the Chinese community, hire bilingual/bicultural peer staff, etc.)
The Center also will provide education and awareness, outreach, and service pathways; and therapy and peer-support groups for youth and young adults.
Peninsula Health Care District (PHCD) is one of five agencies across the state and the first agency in San Mateo County to launch and operate an Allcove™ model. Working closely with Stanford’s Center for Youth Mental Health and Well Being (CYMHWB) leadership and the State of California Mental Health Services & Oversight Accountability Commission (MHSOAC), PHCD received a startup grant and technical assistance to successfully pilot the Allcove™ model.
It is the intent that the Center will increase penetration rates, which measures the number of individuals receiving mental health and substance use treatment services as a percentage of the total Medi-Cal eligible population, for youth and young adults, and implement strategies for underserved racial, ethnic, and cultural groups. Currently, specialty mental health service and substance use service penetration rates at Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) for youth overall (4.5%) are lower than like size counties (5.6%) and California (7.5%). Across racial groups, penetration rates are lowest for youth Asian/Pacific Islander racial group (1.8%) and Latinx communities (3.0%).
Under the B-1 Administrative Memorandum, agreements that provide “sole source” services are exempt from the Request for Proposal process.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
This agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by the County Attorney as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2023-24 Estimated |
FY 2024-25 Projected |
|
Percentage of MediCal eligible youth receiving one or more Specialty Mental Health Services |
4.4% 1,884 out of 42,863 individuals |
4.6% 1,989 out of 42,863 individuals |
EQUITY IMPACT:
Programs and services funded by MHSA positively impact underserved communities struggling with mental health and substance use challenges by providing direct services and supports, specifically to underserved racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, by implementing culturally responsive prevention and early intervention services. These groups were engaged in the planning and prioritizing of MHSA funding through the MHSA Three-Year Plan comprehensive community planning process and ongoing through the MHSA Steering Committee, the BHRS Office of Consumer and Family Affairs, and the BHRS Office of Diversity and Equity, Health Equity Initiatives.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2026. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $1,000,000 for the three-year term. The MHSA will fund 100% of this agreement. Of that amount, $500,000 is included in the BHRS FY 2024-2025 Recommended Budget. Similar arrangements will be in place for FY 2025-2026. There is no Net County Cost.