Title
Recommendation to Authorize the City Manager to Execute a One-Year Agreement, in an Amount Not to Exceed $100,000, with Alameda Family Services for Student Mental Health Services. (Community Development 001)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
On May 14, 2019, the Alameda Unified School District (AUSD) Board of Education adopted a resolution requesting funding from the City of Alameda (City) to be used for increased staffing for student mental health services to be provided by Alameda Family Services (AFS). AFS operates three school-based Health Centers at Alameda, Encinal, and Island High Schools. On June 18, 2019, the Alameda City Council approved the Operating and Capital Budget for Fiscal Years (FYs) 2019-20 and 2020-21. It includes a General Fund appropriation of $100,000 to assist with funding AUSD’s Mental Health program.
The proposed agreement with AFS would help cover the salary and benefits of one additional counselor, who will provide mental health services, including individual and group therapy and management at Encinal High School three days per week and at Alameda High School two days per week. This counselor is expected to serve between 20 to 25 students and families this school year.
BACKGROUND
In the 2017-18 school year, AUSD conducted a comprehensive assessment of the current behavioral health needs of the students it serves. Students, parents, staff, and key stakeholders overwhelmingly reported that additional staff (counselors, therapists, psychologists, etc.) and behavioral health services, including individual, group, peer, and family counseling are needed to address students’ increasing behavioral health needs. In particular, student groups reported significant problems dealing with stress, anxiety, sadness or hopelessness, suicidal thoughts, and problems with drug use and abuse.
Similarly, the Social Service Human Relations Board’s (SSHRB) 2017 Community Needs Assessment identified mental health as the highest rated community service need in the City. The Alameda Collaboration for Children, Youth and their Families (ACCYF), at its September 2018 retreat, also identified mental health of the City’s youth as a major priority that needs attention. ACCYF is a coalition of the City, Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan’s Office, AUSD, and nonprofit organizations that work together to promote positive child and youth development by partnering on projects, sharing information, and maximizing resources. Since then, the City, through its partnership with the ACCYF, has worked to develop a Mental Health Awareness Campaign, which includes a resource website, www.letstalkalameda.org, which launched on November 2, 2019.
On April 16, 2019, at the recommendation of the SSHRB, the City Council heard a presentation from AUSD on its School Behavioral Health Needs Assessment.
DISCUSSION
On May 14, 2019, the Alameda Board of Education passed a resolution requesting that funding from the City to be used for increased staffing for student mental health services to be provided by AFS. AFS operates three school-based Health Centers at Alameda, Encinal, and Island High Schools. The Health Centers offer scheduled and drop-in services, Monday through Friday. All public City high school students, including those from Island High, are eligible for free mental health counseling, health education, and medical care and youth development/leadership opportunities.
On June 18, 2019, the City Council approved the Operating and Capital Budget for FYs 2019-20 and 2020-21. It includes General Fund expenditures of a total of $100,000 to assist with funding of AUSD’s Mental Health program.
The proposed agreement with AFS would help cover the salary and benefits of one additional counselor who will provide 32-hours of mental health services, including individual and group therapy as well as case management at Encinal High School three days per week and at Alameda High School two days per week. This counselor is expected to serve between 20 to 25 students and families this school year. The agreement will fund:
• Mental health services, including individual and group counseling, crisis drop-ins, family support, case management, as well as intakes and assessments;
• Outreach to students (e.g. flyers and participation in awareness events), clinical documentation, clinical supervision, training, and staff meetings.
Staff recommends awarding a contract to AFS for a total amount of $100,000 for youth mental health services to be performed during the 2019-20 academic school year.
ALTERNATIVES
• Authorize the one-year agreement with AFS for student mental health services; or
• The City Council could take no action at this time.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Funds have been allocated in the General Fund Non-Department for student mental health services as part of the FYs 2019-21 budget in the amount of $100,000.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
The action achieves one of the SSHRB’s primarily duties to foster mutual understanding, respect, equality and good will among community groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) applies only to projects which have the potential for causing a significant effect on the environment. This is not a project and is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines, sections 15378 and 15061(b)(3) (General Rule).
CLIMATE IMPACTS
Not applicable to this report.
RECOMMENDATION
Authorize the City Manager to execute a one-year agreement, in an amount not to exceed $100,000, with the Alameda Family Services for student mental health services,.
CITY MANAGER RECOMMENDATION
The City Manager recommends approval of a one-year agreement in an amount not to exceed $100,000. This works toward achieving the goal for the City to partner with the School District on addressing mental health concerns.
Respectfully Submitted,
Debbie Potter, Community Development Department Director
By,
Eric Fonstein, Development Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Elena Adair, Finance Director
Exhibit:
1. Agreement
cc: Eric Levitt, City Manager