DOS commission approves CalFresh, Felton Institute and Swords to Plowshares funding modifications

The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services Commission on Sept. 4 approved three contract and grant actions and received an informational funding allocation.

Budget analyst Genevieve Herrera reported an allocation of $102,411 from the Medicare-related MIPA program, an increase of $25,811 from last year; Self Help for the Elderly will provide MIPA-funded services under an existing grant arrangement.

On action items, the commission voted unanimously on three items after presentations and brief Q&A:

- CalFresh Healthy Living (Self Help for the Elderly): staff sought authorization to reenter a grant agreement for 10/01/2024' 09/30/2025 for $419,574 plus a 10% contingency (total not to exceed $461,531). Leah Walton said the program funds nutrition education and physical-activity curricula at roughly 19 sites and includes subcontracting to Leah's Pantry and partnerships with veteran-serving sites.

- Felton Institute (Senior Companion program): staff requested and the commission approved a sole-source waiver and modification adding $107,720 plus a 10% contingency (revised total not to exceed $571,396). Seqin Lee said the stipend for volunteers recently increased from $3.50 to $4 per hour and that additional funds will support staffing adjustments and expanded service targets.

- Swords to Plowshares (Veterans drop-in center): the commission approved a modification adding $114,999 plus a 10% contingency (revised total not to exceed $1,009,602). Lauren Jarrell told commissioners the center will add a licensed vocational nurse, increase outreach and social-service hours, and serve an estimated 30 additional consumers; staff said the organization serves about 2,500 veterans annually.

All three action items passed by unanimous roll-call vote; commissioners asked clarifying questions about site lists, outreach plans and program deliverables. The meeting record shows no public callers for these items.

Why it matters: the approvals channel state and local funds to nutrition, volunteer-companion and veteran services serving older adults and people with disabilities; the Felton Institute change preserves a volunteer stipend meant to offset volunteer costs, and the Swords modification expands an established veterans' resource.

What's next: program monitoring and contract oversight will continue under DOS; staff said some site lists may evolve and committed to follow-up details via the commission docket.

Quote excerpt: "This year's allocation is $102,411," Genevieve Herrera said of the MIPA funding, and "we are seeking approval to reenter into contract with Self Help for the Elderly for the CalFresh Healthy Living program," Leah Walton said.