DAS presents Community Living Fund report: 289 served, 17 on wait list; program to align with CalAIM

Melissa McGee, program manager in DAS' Office of Community Partnerships, presented the Community Living Fund (CLF) six‑month report (July–December 2022) and the FY2023‑24 area plan update.

McGee said CLF — created by San Francisco ordinance in 2006 and administered under city code reporting requirements — provides home and community‑based services including intensive case management, purchase of goods and rental subsidies (administered through Brilliant Corners) to help people avoid institutionalization. She said the Institute on Aging (IOA) is the current contracted service provider for CLF components.

Key data presented:

- 68 new referrals in July–December 2022; about 46% were eligible and 94% of eligible referrals were approved for services.
- CLF served 289 participants during the reporting period; 71% received intensive case management and 93 received rental subsidy support.
- Average home‑care and rental subsidy costs were reported at about $2,362 per month for affected participants; average monthly purchase‑of‑service cost excluding home care/rental subsidy was $177 for participants receiving purchase services.
- As of April 2023 the CLF wait list had 17 referrals awaiting assignment; average wait time was 32 days, with roughly 82% waiting for intensive case management.

McGee and commissioners discussed a temporary reduction in referral volume and service levels tied to discharge holds and operational changes at Laguna Honda Hospital; McGee described efforts to tighten the referral process and maintain a bi‑weekly multidisciplinary core meeting including DAS, Brilliant Corners, IOA and Laguna Honda staff to facilitate transitions into scattered‑site housing.

McGee said CLF will incorporate enhanced care management for priority populations under CalAIM and continue leveraging the California Community Transitions Program to supplement Medi‑Cal funding for transitions from skilled nursing facilities.

Commissioners asked about ZIP code patterns (McGee confirmed a high volume from 94116, the Laguna Honda area), outreach to SNFs and community providers, and process improvements that have shortened some wait times. McGee said IOA outreach to skilled‑nursing facilities remains a priority and that the program is focused on timely case coordination to reduce wait lists.

The item was informational; commissioners did not take a vote on the report but asked staff to incorporate feedback into the FY23‑24 plan submission to the state.