DOS Commission approves package of grants, contract modifications and leadership elections

The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services Commission voted unanimously March 2 to approve a slate of leadership and funding actions covering nutrition, housing subsidies and the IHSS Public Authority contract.

Leadership: The nominating committee reported unanimous support to re‑elect Martha Knudson as Commission President and Janet Spears as Vice President; the commission approved the re‑elections by roll call.

Grants and modifications approved:

• Meals on Wheels of San Francisco (IQ food helpline): The commission authorized a modification to an existing grant to add $750,000 plus a 10% contingency to support the COVID‑19 isolation/quarantine (IQ) food helpline through August 31, 2022. Cindy Lynn said the helpline has helped more than 8,500 households and provides culturally responsive meal and grocery options for quarantining households.

• San Francisco Marin Food Bank (Home Delivered Grocery program): Commissioners authorized a modification adding $630,073 plus a 10% contingency (total not to exceed $4,419,127) to extend home delivered grocery services through June 30, 2025 to meet elevated demand.

• Eviction Defense Collaborative (housing subsidies): The commission approved a new grant agreement to transition continuing housing subsidies for older adults and adults with disabilities from Q Foundation to Eviction Defense Collaborative for 205 participants. The award was $5,192,504 plus 10% contingency (total not to exceed $5,711,754) for the period through June 30, 2024. Hannah Blanton described a planned transition that keeps payments flowing until May 1 and transfers participant records to the new provider.

• Congregate nutrition grants (District 11): Two new grants totaling $880,925 plus 10% contingency were approved for Self Help for the Elderly (Geneva Community Center) and Southwest Community Corporation (IT Bookman Community Center) to expand congregate meal access in District 11. The programs will follow food‑safety standards and provide culturally relevant menus; public comment from Southwest’s executive director Felicia Thibodeaux supported the need.

• San Francisco IHSS Public Authority (sole‑source): The commission approved a sole‑source waiver and new grant for the IHSS Public Authority to fund the independent provider mode of IHSS for 07/01/2022–06/30/2026 in the amount of $395,190,609 plus 10% contingency (total not to exceed $434,709,670). Deputy Director Jill Nielsen said the funding covers wages, medical and dental benefits for roughly 23,500 independent providers and supports services to nearly 24,500 IHSS consumers; state and federal matching (Medi‑Cal waiver) were cited as funding sources.

All items were moved, seconded and passed by unanimous roll‑call votes. Commissioners asked for assurances about transition oversight for the housing subsidies and confirmation that RFPs and vendor contracts include accessibility testing and training where relevant.

Next procedural steps: DAS staff will implement the awarded grants and contracts as described, proceed with procurement where required and return to the commission if any contract reopenings or material funding changes occur.