Fremont City Council Meeting: 09/19/23 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Human Services Department Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 4988) DOC ID: 4988
Updated: 9/13/2023 1:12 PM by Susan Gauthier Page 1
HEALTH PROMOTION CONTRACT - Authorization to Contract with Alameda County Health Care Services Agency for Health Promotion Services and Making Findings of CEQA Exemption
Contact Persons:
Name: Karen L. Grimsich Suzanne Shenfil
Title: Family Services Administrator Director
Div/Dept: Human Services Department Human Services Department Phone: 510-574-2062 510-574-2051
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: Since 2006, Alameda County has provided funding to the City, in partnership with the Afghan Elderly Association (AEA), to carry out a project to improve the health and mental health of older adults, including Afghan seniors. Alameda County Health Care Services Agency is renewing funding for this project in FY 2023/24 i n the amount of $206,219. Staff is recommending the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute a contract in the amount of $206,219 with the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (ACHCSA) for Fiscal Year 2023/24 to implement the Health Promoter Project; and appropriate an additional $6,219 in the Ageing and Family Services Behavioral Health Fund (Fund 104) to equal the contract amount.
BACKGROUND: Since FY 2006/07, the Human Services Department (HSD) has partnered with the Afghan Elderly Association (AEA), a nonprofit organization, to carry out the Health Promoter Project to help improve the health and mental health of Afghan seniors. Many of the thousands of refugees from Afghanistan who arrived in the United States in the 1970’s and 1980’s after fleeing the war with Russia are now aging. Demographic estimates show that the San Francisco Bay Area, and specifically Fremont, is home to one of the largest concentrations of Afghans outside of their own country. It is well documented that older immigrants have challenges accessing necessary health and social services, and therefore experience poor physical health status. Refugees, in particular, suffer increased mental health issues, often from the effects of post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety due to difficult life experiences. This program is unique in that it offers a continuum of supportive services embedded in a community program that focuses on the needs of older adults. In this way, the program has had a positive impact on an often-underserved group of people.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: The primary component of the Health Promoter Project is the use of Afghan Health Promoters, individuals from the Afghan community who have received substantial community health training. They meet regularly with Afghan seniors, and based on client need, provide emotional support, health education, and coordinate referrals for health and social services. They educate and support clients in both healthy living behaviors and chronic disease management. When it is appropriate the group meets in group settings to provide exercise instruction, health education, and translation services. Health promoters also collaborate with other County programs to assure Afghan elders access appropriate services.
Council Staff Report (ID # 4988) Meeting of September 19, 2023 Updated: 9/13/2023 1:12 PM by Susan Gauthier Page 2
The Human Services Department provides program oversight for the project and a Program Coordinator, who supports the health promoters as needed. The AEA employs the Health Promoters. Through a project director and assistant, the AEA also provides operational management for the project.
The new agreement also allows for health promotion screenings, education, and wellness classes to be held for the general public at the City’s two Age Well Centers and four low- income senior housing facilities.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Alameda County Public Health Department is providing $206,219 in FY 2023/24 funding for the Health Promoter Program. The contract with the Afghan Elderly Association totals $90,000. The remaining funds, $116,219 will support the City’s administrative oversight and Human Services staff, including the Program Coordinator.
As part of the FY 2023/24 Adopted Budget, the City Council appropriated $200,000 for this program. Staff recommends the City Council appropriate an additional $6,219 to the ACHCSA Health Promoter account in the Ageing and Family Services Behavioral Health Fund.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: None required. The action is not a project under CEQA and is exempt pursuant to, without limitation, CEQA Guidelines Section 15378 and/or 15061(b)(3), each as a separate and independent basis.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
1. Authorize the City Manager, or her designee, to execute a contract with the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency in the amount of $206,219 for the period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024 for the Health Promoter Project.
2. Appropriate an additional $6,219 in the Ageing and Family Services Behavioral Health Fund (Fund 104) to equal the contract amount.
3. Find that the action is exempt from CEQA review.