DOS Commission approves MIPPA contract and multiple grant modifications for community services and village programs

The San Francisco Disability and Aging Services Commission approved several contract and grant actions during its Oct. 6 meeting, including a federal/state Medicare outreach contract and multiple local grant modifications for community services and neighborhood "village" programs.

Contract: The Commission voted to approve the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers (transcribed as "MIPA/MIPPA") contract MI2122‑06 to fund San Francisco's Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) operated by Self Help for the Elderly. The contract was listed at $100,321 with a 10% contingency for a total amount not to exceed $110,353 and was approved by unanimous roll call after staff presentation.

Grant modifications: Commissioners also approved modifications to multiple existing grants for community services that support activity scheduling, translation, technology training, grocery support during the pandemic and continuation of higher‑learning classes. Staff described these as tailored, district‑specific addbacks from the Board of Supervisors; the packet listed a modification amount and a larger total not-to-exceed figure in the staff presentation. Commissioner Wanda Chung recused herself from the item because of a potential conflict; the remaining commissioners voted to approve the modifications.

Village and connector programs: The Commission authorized modifications to grants for neighborhood-based village programs and community connector models that expand local volunteer-driven services, continue subscriptions to the MonaMe volunteer coordination app, buy air filters for connector sites and support program expansion into District 2. Next Village and SF Village representatives spoke in support; caller Jacqueline Zimmer Jones, executive director of Next Village San Francisco, described direct service examples (meal deliveries, lockbox installation, volunteer supports) and said MonaMe "is the best one we've used." The Commission recorded a unanimous vote on that item.

What the staff presentation said: DOS staff said RFPs and grant modifications will fund a range of activities including technology training, culturally relevant nutrition models targeting underresourced districts, and mental‑health telehealth pilots for LGBTQ+ older adults. Commissioners asked for more detail on district coverage, estimated program costs and expected client counts; staff said such specifics are typically refined once proposals are received and contracts negotiated.

Next steps: DOS staff will finalize contract documents and return any required contract language and budgets to the Commission or the contracting process. The Office of Community Partnerships will continue to work with grantees and the Mayor's Office on Disability to implement the Disability Community Cultural Center and other new initiatives.