DAS reports pause on Laguna Honda transfers, details $6.7M in budget add-backs and new program funding

The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services told its commission on Aug. 3 that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the California Department of Health Care Services have agreed to let Laguna Honda pause previously required patient transfers and discharges while the facility works to regain certification. Executive Director Kelly Dearman said staff will develop voluntary discharge care plans for a small number of residents identified as not requiring nursing-home level care.

Dearman delivered the department's executive report and said DAS is pursuing 31 budget add-backs from the FY22-23 process that together exceed $6.7 million, with about $6.3 million available in FY23-24. She listed several earmarked amounts: continued funding for the mayor's $900,000 investment in LGBTQ+ services (with $600,000 supporting an LGBTQ+ mental health connection and $300,000 for staffing); $425,000 ongoing toward a residential care facilities pilot; $300,000 for housing subsidies; $400,000 to support former City College older adults learning classes (administered by DAS); and $2,270,000 ongoing to meet increased demand for nutrition services including home-delivered meals.

Dearman described digital equity allocations, saying DAS is tracking $225,000 in new funding for digital divide expansion and expects an additional $1,000,000 from the state for digital efforts this fiscal year; she noted community advocates had sought significantly more funding.

Commissioners welcomed the pause at Laguna Honda, calling the decision "good news" for residents, staff and families. Commissioner Sasha Buettner expressed relief that transfers would not proceed immediately; Dearman cautioned that recertification work and a separate closure plan remain active priorities.

During general public comment, caller Francisco De Costa urged the commission to conduct needs assessments focused on disabled residents and alleged that Laguna Honda had accepted individuals who were being rehabilitated for substance use. The caller offered no documentary evidence during his three-minute comment; commissioners did not take formal action on that allegation during the meeting.

Dearman also flagged upcoming state and federal funding opportunities and events that could affect DAS programming, including the Department's engagement with the Budget and Legislative Analyst's report on housing for older adults. She said the department will continue to monitor recertification developments and will bring related proposals or contract actions back to the commission as needed.