Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute an Agreement with Alameda Family Services to Provide Full-Time On-Site Mental Health Support at Alameda Library from October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026 in an Amount Not-to-Exceed $90,000. (City Manager 10021833)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In 2024, the Alameda Library (Library) and City of Alameda (City) collaborated to provide social services support for library patrons for 12 hours per week. Since then, these case managers have experienced an increase in engagement from patrons seeking social support services as well as additional needs to support unhoused individuals at the Library and provide mental health support services. The need for access to immediate, on-site mental health services is acute as many of the patrons seeking help are low income, from disadvantaged communities, unhoused or at risk of becoming unhoused. In addition, while Library staff receive de-escalation and other trainings, their primary focus of work and time is on library services rather than social services. Therefore, a more specialized skill set, and resource base, is required to provide the needed level of social services resources and ability to effectively work with patrons with mental health issues. This Agreement with Alameda Family Services (AFS) will provide a Social Worker at the Alameda Library for 30 hours per week, year-round, to provide a more holistic approach to safety and well-being of patrons and staff of the Alameda Library.
During the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026 Biannual budget process, City Council directed the City Manager's Office to proceed with establishing a Social Worker position at the Library and approved funding for FY 2025-26. The direction included evaluating the effectiveness of providing this position through a contract or as a City part-time position. Staff determined that it was most cost and time ...
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