Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Colleen Chawla, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Jei Africa, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with San Francisco Public Health Foundation for the Operation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning and other Gender Identities Behavioral Health Pride Center
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with San Francisco Public Health Foundation (SFPHF) for the operation of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning and other Gender Identities (LGBTQ+) Behavioral Health Pride Center, for the term of October 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $897,803.
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BACKGROUND:
Since 2016, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) has contracted with StarVista to operate the LGBTQ+ Behavioral Health Pride Center (Center, or LGBTQ+ Center), also known as the San Mateo County Pride Center. The Center provides services for individuals at high risk for serious mental illness and/or serious emotional disability and works to improve LGBTQ+ quality of life, address the emotional barriers the LGBTQ+ population and families face in seeking care, and improve access to behavioral health services.
In March 2024, BHRS conducted a Request for Proposals process for operation of the Center. StarVista submitted a proposal and was recommended based on their proven track record of providing services to the LGBTQ+ community and successful history operating the Center.
DISCUSSION:
StarVista, the former provider of the LGBTQ+ Center, ceased operations effective August 1, 2025. Due to this unforeseen closure, and as we explore potential solutions, BHRS requests to waive the solicitation process to transfer StarVista's services for the LGBTQ+ Center to SFPHF, due to SFPHF's successful history of partnering with public health and community partners to protect...
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