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San Francisco DOS commission unanimously approves six grants and contracts, including veteran supports and HICAP funding
Summary
At a teleconference meeting, the DOS Commission approved six contract and grant items — SNAP-Ed, a veterans services grant to Swords to Plowshares, a Thriving in Place palliative care pilot, CARES Act acceptance, a MIPPA outreach contract, and a HICAP contract with Self Help for the Elderly — all by unanimous roll-call votes.
The San Francisco Department of Aging Commission unanimously approved six agenda items authorizing new grant agreements and contracts intended to sustain nutrition, veteran services, palliative care outreach and Medicare counseling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Votes at a glance
- SNAP-Ed (CalFresh Healthy Living) contract SP-20-21-006: $125,587 (approved unanimously). Staff said Self Help for the Elderly is the community partner; programming includes Tai Chi and other evidence-based activities transitioned to virtual platforms for the pandemic.
- Swords to Plowshares grant for supportive services and service connection for veterans: $657,818 plus 10% contingency (total $753,599), for the period 09/01/2020–06/30/2022 (approved unanimously). Commissioners discussed COVID-era service modifications and the commission noted Commissioner Lum's support as the veterans-designated commissioner.
- Thriving in Place palliative care work group pilot (learning journey): $100,000 plus 10% contingency (total not to exceed $110,000), 07/01/2020–06/30/2021 (approved unanimously). Staff said the pilot will develop culturally sensitive advanced-care-planning tools and target African American, Chinese and Latinx communities.
- Acceptance of CARES Act funding: approximately $1,900,000 allocated via the California Department of Aging to support older-adult programs, primarily nutrition and delivery costs, with some caregiver support; commission acknowledged and accepted the funds (approved unanimously).
- MIPPA contract (MI20-21-06) for Medicare outreach and enrollment assistance in low-income subsidy and Medicare savings programs (approved unanimously). Staff cited a 2018 Social Security Administration estimate that eligible participants might save up to $4,000 per year by enrolling in these programs; a more recent estimate was not provided in the meeting.
- HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program) contract with Self Help for the Elderly: $1,364,000 plus contingency, not to exceed $1,500,457, covering 01/01/2021–06/30/2024 (approved unanimously). Staff said HICAP exceeded benchmarks in prior years and provides counseling in multiple languages.
What commissioners said: Commissioner Nelson Lum moved several motions and voiced support for continuing veteran services; Vice President Janet Spears seconded motions on multiple items. President Martha Knudson and other commissioners asked clarifying questions about virtual delivery and contingencies; all votes were recorded as yes by commissioners Knudson, Spears, Lum and Sklar.
Why it matters: The approvals fund direct services—meals, counseling, veterans outreach and palliative care planning—most of which have been adapted for remote delivery during the pandemic. Contract contingencies were added in several items to account for cost variability during COVID-19.
Next steps: Department staff will finalize contracts and implement program modifications for virtual delivery where needed; any contract modifications or new contracting actions using accepted funds will return to the commission for approval.
