DAS commission approves package of grants and contract changes to fund meals, transportation, legal aid, ADRCs and other services

The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services Commission on May 8 unanimously approved a package of grant renewals, contract modifications and new agreements that fund multiple city programs for older adults and adults with disabilities.

Key items approved (all motions passed by unanimous roll call vote of commissioners present):

• Item 11B — Project Open Hand: A modification to the grant for home‑delivered meals and nutrition assessments for adults with disabilities to add assessment services after Institute on Aging’s contract ended. The amendment adds $101,938 plus a 10% contingency for a revised total not to exceed $859,699 (07/01/2024–06/30/2025). (Moved/seconded; unanimous yes.)

• Item 11C — Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired: A new agreement to provide taxi vouchers for adults with disabilities (01/01/2024–06/30/2028) in the amount of $122,329 plus 10% contingency (not to exceed $134,562). Staff said the voucher program has been administered by Lighthouse since 2007. (Moved/seconded; unanimous yes.)

• Item 11D — California Department of Aging MOU & FY25 allocations: Authorization of a five‑year MOU to streamline state directed payments and acceptance of the FY25 area plan grant allocation; staff noted a $234,000 reduction from last year’s baseline and a $453,000 federal decrease in nutrition services incentive funding.

• Item 11E — Self Help for the Elderly (HICAP & MIPA): A four‑year grant (07/01/2024–06/30/2028) to administer Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program and MIPA, $2,145,367 plus 10% contingency (not to exceed $2,359,903). Commissioners asked for the outstation locations and language schedules, which staff agreed to provide.

• Item 11F — Felton Institute (Benefits to Work): Modification and two‑year extension to continue employment navigation and benefits support, adding $542,327 plus 10% contingency for a revised total not to exceed $1,022,948. Presenters cited participant outcomes and high satisfaction rates.

• Item 11G — Open Door Legal (West Side legal services): Two‑year extension to continue a Sunset District legal services site, adding $887,729 plus 10% contingency (revised total not to exceed $1,622,552). Staff reported ~175 clients served and ~2,000 hours of legal services in the first three quarters.

• Item 11H — Southwest Community Corporation (food support): Renewal to provide culturally responsive supplemental groceries in zip codes 94112 and 94132, distributing an estimated 5,100 grocery bags and serving at least 100 clients in FY24–25. Felicia Thibodeaux, SCC executive director, spoke in favor of the renewal.

• Item 11I — Mental Health Association of San Francisco (hoarding/cluttering supports): New grant for social support services (trainings, support groups, outreach, 1:1 referrals) for hoarding and cluttering challenges. Staff said language capacity includes Spanish, Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog and Vietnamese; a peer counselor, Elizabeth Barr, testified in support and described personal recovery.

• Item 11J — Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs) and citywide coordinator: Contracts to fund ADRCs and a coordinator (07/01/2024–06/30/2026) to expand outreach, ensure at least one ADRC per supervisorial district, require increased outreach events per staff FTE, and improve coordinated referrals across hubs and district ADRCs.

Commissioners voiced support for increased outreach, language capacity, and efforts to measure outcomes, and asked staff to supply requested details (outstation schedules, language hours, billing reconciliation where relevant). Each item was moved, seconded and passed by unanimous roll call; no abstentions were recorded.