San Francisco DAS commission approves series of grants and contracts; package includes iPad program, IHSS studies and wheelchair repair funding

The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) Commission on Wednesday unanimously approved a series of grants and contracts that will fund digital inclusion, workforce studies for IHSS contract mode services, a new wheelchair‑repair program and multiple nutrition and service grants.

President Martha Knudson called for votes on a consent and multiple action items after presentations by DAS staff. The commission approved (all roll‑call votes were unanimous) the April 5 minutes and a consent‑calendar augmentation of $8,000 for Bayview Senior Services.

Major approvals included authorization to enter the California Department of Aging's Digital Connections program (CDA contract DC‑2223‑06), enabling San Francisco to receive roughly 1,400 iPads and an allocation of approximately $1.2 million to support device distribution, connectivity and SF Connect lab upgrades; DAS staff said those funds must be spent by Dec. 31, 2023. Sarah Chan, program analyst with the Office of Community Partnerships, said the draft DAS budget routes about $1,090,000 to SF Connect partners and about $135,000 to lab broadband upgrades.

The commission also authorized two related contracts with Social Policy Research Associates to study the IHSS contract‑mode labor market and assess contract infrastructure and financial viability (combined value about $199,590). Deputy Director Jill Nielsen told the commission that San Francisco’s contract mode — operated by Homebridge for clients unable to direct their care — faces staffing and cost pressures and that the studies will recommend recruitment, retention and fiscal strategies.

Other approved items included:

- A $3.5 million (plus 10% contingency) set of contracts to provide heavy cleaning and pest‑remediation preparation services for Adult Protective Services clients; staff estimated the work could serve roughly 140–150 clients per year with average per‑client costs of about $4,500–$5,000 depending on conditions.

- A grant to Independent Living Resource Center San Francisco (ILRC SF) to pilot a wheelchair repair and user‑support program (total contract $1.24 million plus contingency) to provide emergency repairs, loaner chairs, preventative maintenance, insurance claim assistance, and multilingual service; DAS noted advocacy and a Board of Supervisors add‑back prompted the program.

- A continuation grant for a time‑study online module (Hansine Fisher & Associates) that DAS said produces high federal match dollars; staff said the four‑year contract totals $80,000 and the time study previously helped secure roughly $1.6 million in federal funding.

- Multiple nutrition grant modifications reallocating $972,749 (new not‑to‑exceed total $5,668,345) to support Russian American Community Services and Self Help for the Elderly programs, including CHAMPS restaurant meal sites and rate increases to offset declining voluntary client contributions.

DAS staff said members of the public were invited to comment by phone and by email; no callers spoke on the items during the meeting. The commission adjourned at about 11:45 a.m.

Votes at a glance (selected items approved unanimously):
- Approve minutes (04/05/2023): Yes — Martha Knudson, Janet Spears, Sasha Buettner, Linda Parker Pennington, Wanda Jahn, Nelson Lum, Barbara Sklar.
- Consent: Bayview Senior Services augmentation $8,000.
- 13b Area plan update (FY23‑24) — approved and to be filed with the state.
- 13c Heavy cleaning/pest‑prep contracts — $3,500,000 +10% contingency.
- 13d TGNC services grants (Curry Senior Center, Open House) — $1,297,016 +10% contingency.
- 13e CDA Digital Connections contract (DC‑2223‑06) — allocation ~1,400 iPads, ~$1.2M to county.
- 13f & 13g SPR studies for IHSS contract mode — $99,971 and $99,619 respectively.
- 13h IHSS Public Authority backup‑provider grant — $1,302,316 +10% contingency.
- 13i Time study online module — $80,000 ($20,000/yr over 4 years).
- 13j Self Help workforce support grant — $1,037,604 +10% contingency.
- 13k ILRC wheelchair repair and user support program — $1,240,000 +10% contingency.
- 13l Nutrition grant modifications — additional $972,749 (revised not‑to‑exceed $5,668,345).

The commission’s recorded roll call votes for each item matched the quorum of commissioners present; staff indicated implementation steps or further budgeting actions where required.