DAS commission unanimously approves multiple grants and contracts for housing, meals, outreach and an online resource directory

At its May 4 meeting the San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services Commission approved a series of grants and contract actions aimed at expanding community-based services for older adults and people with disabilities.

Key approvals (all were approved by unanimous roll-call votes):

- Dignity Fund Community Needs Assessment: Commission approved the assessment and will forward the item to the Board of Supervisors for formal acceptance and adoption for service planning.

- Curry Senior Center: Authorization to enter a new grant for LGBTQ+ mental health connections and technology support from 05/01/2022 through 06/30/2024 for $1,300,000 (plus 10% contingency to $1,430,000). The program includes provider stipends, competency training, outreach, and a tech navigator to assess device and connectivity needs.

- The Arc San Francisco: Modification to an existing grant to add funding (one-time Dignity Fund savings) to meet increased demand for supportive employment services in HSA-owned buildings; the modification adds participant and supervision hours to maintain service levels.

- Stepping Stone ADHC: Sole-source grant for enhanced care coordination (07/01/2022'06/30/2027) to support adult day health care participants in Mission Creek, Mabini, and Presentation Center locations; not-to-exceed amount $3,278,345 plus 10% contingency ($3,606,180) to provide clinical support, outreach and behavioral health services.

- Unite Us: Contract to develop and maintain a San Francisco-specific online resource directory with training for community-based organizations and an eventual closed-loop referral capability, $798,750 plus 10% contingency (three-year term). DAS said language features and accessibility are priorities in implementation.

- Open House: Grant to maintain and disseminate an affordable housing resource list for older adults and adults with disabilities (07/01/2022'06/30/2026) for $108,000 plus contingency; grantee will update monthly and expand recipient outreach.

- ADRC language capacity: Authorization of $639,460 to add and continue Chinese, Spanish and Tagalog staffing across ADRC locations to expand language access (positions will be staffed by grantee organizations, not city employees).

- GLIDE Foundation: $300,000 modification to support packaging and meals-to-go production costs for ongoing free meals programs serving Tenderloin and South of Market neighborhoods.

- Community Ambassadors: Two grants establishing ambassador programs with Curry Senior Center and Southeast Asian Community Center (05/01/2022'06/30/2024 combined $591,668 plus contingency) to increase outreach and referrals in communities including Vietnamese, Black/African American, and Chinese communities.

Commissioners asked operational questions about outreach plans, timeline for language support in the Unite Us platform, and whether ambassadors would be grantee employees (they are). Several commissioners praised the local partnerships and research that informed the proposals. No public commentators spoke in favor or opposition during the items' public-comment periods.

Next steps: DAS staff will implement contracts and track deliverables, report back on timelines (including language support in the Unite Us contract), and present the Dignity Fund assessment to the Board of Supervisors.