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 ALAS: Ayudando Latinos a Sonar for FY 2023-24
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with ALAS: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar for multi-cultural wellness program services on the Coastside for the term of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024, in an amount not to exceed $467,339.
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BACKGROUND:
In October 2019, Behavioral Health and Recovery Services (BHRS) released a Request for Proposals (RFP) seeking an agency to develop a Multi-Cultural Wellness Program (MCWP) for behavioral health clients/consumers and their family members in the Coastside, serving Half Moon Bay to Pescadero.
In March 2020, ALAS: Ayudando Latinos A Soñar (ALAS) was selected to provide these services. This Board approved an agreement for the term July 1, 2020, through June 30, 2022, for the provision of MCWP services in the Coastside region. Under the authority given by this Board, the Director of BHRS amended that agreement in June 2022 to extend the term through June 30, 2023, and to add Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) for FYs 2021-02 and 2022-23.
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.
This agreement is being renewed for FY 2023-24, as an option to extend one year was included in the RFP for these services. BHRS will conduct a new RFP process for these services in Fall 2023. A 4% COLA is included in the agreement funding.
The resolution contains the County’s standard provisions allowing amendment of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
The County Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement and resolution as to form.
BHRS provides a range of services to support consumers in their efforts toward wellness and recovery. One established form of support is the provision of multi-cultural center services to assist consumers with connecting to services addressing their needs and supporting wellness. 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 2022-23 Estimated |
FY 2023-24 Projected |
|
Number of new clients served through short-term mental health services, case management and/or support groups |
355 new clients |
≥470 new clients |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The term of this agreement is July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. The amount of this agreement is not to exceed $467,399 for the one-year term, and funds in that amount are included in the BHRS FY 2023-24 Recommended Budget. Of that amount, 100% will be funded by the Mental Health Services Act. There is no Net County Cost.