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: Measure K: Amendment to the Agreement with TALK: Teaching and Assessing Language for Kids for Alternative Therapy Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Measure K: Adopt a resolution authorizing an amendment to the agreement with TALK: Teaching and Assessing Language for Kids for alternative therapy services, reducing Measure K funding and adding Mental Health Services Act funding, decreasing the amount of the agreement by $112,500 to $397,500, with no change to the agreement term.
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BACKGROUND:
On June 2, 2020, this Board approved an agreement with TALK: Teaching and Assessing Language for Kids, to provide alternative therapy services, for the term July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022, in an amount not to exceed $510,000.
DISCUSSION:
Many children receiving speech and language services have experienced multiple adverse childhood experiences (ACE) that may not be recognized or addressed by traditional mental health service providers. When a child experiences strong, frequent, and/or prolonged adversity-such as physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect, caregiver substance abuse or mental illness, exposure to violence, and/or the accumulated burdens of family economic hardship-without adequate adult support, the development of brain architecture and other organ systems can be disrupted, resulting in increased risk for stress-related disease and cognitive impairment throughout the lifespan. Young children exposed to five or more significant ACEs in the first three years of childhood face a 76% likelihood of having one or more delays in their language, emotional, or brain development. The Neurosequential Model Therapy (NMT) Program is able to identify children with speech and language sensory deficits, making it easier for ...
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