Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michael P. Callagy, County Manager
Subject: Use of District-Discretionary Measure K Funds - Supervisorial District 4 and Supervisorial District 5
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing a one-time grant of district-discretionary Measure K funds, not to exceed $122,000, to Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc. for ongoing support and services to long-term care patients to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and authorizing the County Manager, or County Manager’s 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.
On February 12, 2019, the Board of Supervisors (Board) held a study session on Measure K expenditures and anticipated revenue for fiscal years (FY) 2019-21. The Board-appointed Measure K sub-committee, consisting of Supervisor Pine and Supervisor Canepa, convened the study session to, among other things, work with staff to facilitate the Board’s development of Measure K priorities and continuing initiatives for FY 2019-21. The Board approved $3.75 million in one-time loans or grants each fiscal year for FY 2019-21, divided equally among the five supervisorial districts, for district-discretionary needs and projects. District 4 and District 5 have submitted a request to use its district-discretionary Measure K funds as shown below and described in the Project Summary section of this memorandum:
|
District/Project |
Amount |
|
Even split between District 4 (Supervisor Warren Slocum) and District 5 (Supervisor David J. Canepa) - Long-Term Care Ombudsman services to prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation. |
$ 122,000 |
This item is consistent with the criteria for district-discretionary Measure K funds approved by the Board in December 2018.
PROJECT SUMMARY:
This is a request to authorize a grant to Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc., and resulting grant agreement in an amount not to exceed $122,000, to support the Ombudsman services. Aging & Adult Services will administer and manage the proposed agreement.
Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc. (Ombudsman) is a federally-mandated program established in 2009 to assure the protection of residents of long-term care facilities (including Nursing Homes, Board & Care, and for the physically and mentally disabled) through advocacy, direct intervention, and education. It is the only program in San Mateo County dedicated to advocating for the dignity and quality of life of people living in licensed residential care facilities for the elderly and skilled nursing facilities. They serve as a trusted resource for residents and family members to turn to for information and help resolving issues. Since 60% of the residents in these facilities have no visitors, the services the Ombudsman provides are of immense value to this community. Their specially-trained and state-certified volunteers monitor, investigate and resolve cases involving long-term care residents. The volunteer ombudsmen regularly visit local facilities and speak directly with residents. The program ensures that every person living in a residential care or skilled nursing facility in San Mateo County has someone on their side under the belief that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, valued and supported, so they can enjoy their best quality of life.
While the program is federally mandated, it is solely funded through state, county, grants and private donors.
The Measure K funding is critical to the Ombudsman since it represents 10% of their budget. The funds are used for operations of the program, a majority of which goes toward salary. Without the funds, staff reduction may become necessary and in turn will reduce the monitoring of the facilities and residents. With the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ombudsman has been a very important part of connecting the County and all their facilities. It is vital to maintain outstanding monitoring of the residents, those who are often forgotten by the rest of society.
The proposed funding will fund Ombudsman services which may include but are not limited to:
• Training and placement of field Ombudsman staff and volunteers with facilities throughout the County
• Visits to all facilities in the County and responding to any issues/concerns raised by families/residents/patients
• Assisting residents and patients in coping with the physical, psychological, and emotional stress of COVID-19
Total Measure K Request: Not to Exceed $122,000
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:
Ombudsman Services of San Mateo County, Inc.
Attn: Bernadette Mellott
711 Nevada Street
Redwood City, CA 94061
berniemellott@ossmc.org <mailto:berniemellott@ossmc.org>
(650) 780-5702
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Description |
Target |
|
Continuity of services to prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation of those patients in long-term care facilities. |
Complete |
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There are sufficient Measure K funds for this specific Measure K request. These funds are budgeted in the Non-Departmental Services FY 2019-20 Adopted Budget and the FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget. The term of the agreement is May 5, 2020 - June 30, 2021.