Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Louise F. Rogers, Chief, San Mateo County Health
Scott Gilman, Director, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services
Subject: Agreement with ALAS: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar for a Multi-Cultural Wellness Program on the San Mateo Coastside
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with ALAS: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar for a Multi-Cultural Wellness Program on the San Mateo Coastside for the term July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022, in an amount not to exceed $789,538.
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BACKGROUND:
A community needs assessment was conducted between September 2018 and February 2019 that engaged 210 primarily Latino marginalized ethnic, linguistic, and cultural youth and adults in the Coastside region including Half Moon Bay, La Honda, El Granada, and Pescadero. Participants were asked to prioritize and identify program considerations for a Multi-Cultural Wellness Program (MCWP). The findings of the needs assessment were used to inform the requirements of the MCWP Request for Proposals (RFP).
In October 2019, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) released an RFP seeking an agency to develop a MCWP for behavioral health clients/consumers and their family members in the Coastside, serving from Half Moon Bay to Pescadero. On March 13, 2020, ALAS: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) was selected to provide these services.
DISCUSSION:
The MCWP will primarily target Coastside low-income marginalized groups including Latino immigrant families and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ+) youth. Poor, immigrant Latino families in the Coastside struggle with the high cost of living, a need to travel long distances for affordable goods and higher education, disengagement in public services, fear, discrimination and other barriers to accessing services.
Through this agreement, ALAS shall provide culturally responsive community-based mental health and substance use services and programming, including peer support groups, art and wellness activities, capacity building, outreach and linkages to behavioral health services and other resources as needed for marginalized ethnic, linguistic and cultural communities in the Coastside region.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The agreement and resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel as to form. This contract is late due to negotiations with the contractor.
BHRS provides a range of services to support consumers in their efforts towards wellness and recovery. The provision of multi-cultural center services to assist consumers with connecting to services addressing their needs and supporting wellness is one established form of support. It is anticipated that no fewer than 470 new clients will be served through short-term mental health services, case management and/or support groups.
PERFORMANCE MEASURE:
|
Measure |
FY 2020-21 Estimated |
FY 2021-22 Projected |
|
Number of new clients served through short-term mental health services, case management and/or support groups |
470 clients |
470 clients |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of the agreement is July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022. The amount of the agreement is not to exceed $789,538 and $394,769 is included in the BHRS FY 2020-21 Recommended Budget. Of that amount, 100% will be funded by the Mental Health Services Act. A similar arrangement will be in place for the following year.