DAS Commission unanimously approves FY2021 area plan budget, Area Plan 2021–2024 and multiple contracts

The San Francisco Department of Disability and Aging Services Commission on July 15 unanimously approved the department’s FY2021 Area Plan budget, adopted the Area Plan 2021–2024 and authorized several contracts and grant modifications to support aging and disability services during the COVID‑19 emergency.

Alex Gleeson, a budget analyst for the Human Services Agency, told the commission the FY2021 area plan budget reflects a $249,523 increase from the prior baseline and a total allocation of $6,267,116 for Older Americans Act programs, including congregate and home-delivered nutrition, supportive services, disease prevention and caregiver support. With no callers on the budget item, Vice President Janet Spears moved approval and Commissioner Nelson Lum seconded; the roll-call vote was recorded as unanimous.

The commission then approved the Area Plan 2021–2024. Staff said the plan was updated to include a director’s letter acknowledging COVID‑19 impacts, a new COVID‑19 response objective, and additions to disaster preparedness that emphasize food security, home care and social engagement. Rose Johns, a planning analyst, said the plan incorporated advisory council feedback. Commissioners praised the plan’s thoroughness and approved it by unanimous roll call.

On contracts and grants, the commission approved the following (all by unanimous roll call): • A modification to the Self Help for the Elderly congregate nutrition grant to cover COVID‑era meal delivery needs — an additional $1,333,669 plus a 10% contingency for a modification amount not to exceed $1,945,121. Staff said providers shifted operations to deliver meals and have seen demand well above normal levels. Tiffany Kearney presented the item and public commenter Annie Chung, CEO of Self Help for the Elderly, described volunteer mobilization and expanded delivery operations. • A grant to Swords to Plowshares to provide legal assistance for underserved veterans with mental‑health disability claims: $236,060 plus a 10% contingency, total not to exceed $259,666. Staff said the award came through the California Department of Veterans Affairs and that outreach will target low‑income and homeless veterans. • Contract approvals to continue the Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) at prior funding levels (for Medicare counseling and advocacy) and to execute a state-funded fall‑prevention (Dignity at Home) contract in partnership with the Department of Public Health’s CHIP program; commissioners asked staff how data and reporting would be coordinated with public health. • A contract not to exceed $60,000 to provide specialized legal services for the San Francisco Public Guardian and Public Conservator; staff said the contract provides in‑depth legal counsel and capped in‑house costs at $60,000 with contingency arrangements if litigation were needed.

Where commissioners asked questions, staff clarified procurement and reporting lines. Several actions included public comment or presentations describing rapid operational changes during the pandemic. The meeting record shows the votes for the budget, area plan and each contract were unanimous.