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Finance Committee backs larger, longer DPH contract with Westside Community Mental Health Center
Summary
The committee recommended a resolution to increase and extend the Department of Public Health contract with Westside Community Mental Health Center — adding $17.9 million for a not-to-exceed $23.3 million total and extending the term through Dec. 31, 2022 — after DPH and the Budget Analyst defended program performance and monitoring.
The Finance Committee voted to forward to the full Board of Supervisors a resolution to amend the Department of Public Health (DPH) agreement with Westside Community Mental Health Center, adding $17,900,000 for a not-to-exceed total of $23,300,000 and extending the contract to Dec. 31, 2022.
Michelle Ruggles, Department of Public Health, told the committee the amendment consolidates funding for three programs — outpatient services, a community crisis program targeted to African American clients, and an Assertive Community Treatment intensive case-management program — and that departmental monitoring shows the programs have met or exceeded standards in recent audit years. “The department remains committed and confident in its support of continuing this contract,” Ruggles said.
Supervisor Catherine Stephanie said follow-up meetings with DPH staff and the Budget and Legislative Analyst (BLA) resolved her concerns and that she would vote to advance the contract with a positive recommendation. Mary Ann Jones, who identified herself as the CEO of Westside, told the committee the organization historically served 130 clients but has been operating at roughly an 80‑client caseload after funding and slot adjustments; she warned a $600,000 reduction in funding has strained services.
Committee members pressed DPH on whether the intensive case‑management program’s slot reduction reflected actual service levels. Ruggles said the department and Westside negotiated a reduction to align contracted slots with actual caseloads and that DPH is redesigning its intensive case management model to create tiers of service and reissue a solicitation when ready. Chair Sandra Lee Feuer moved the item with a positive recommendation; the motion was taken without objection and will go to the full Board for final approval.
The committee also discussed potential supplemental funding and technical assistance if the city determines Westside is the only provider delivering culturally competent services for the targeted population.
The committee action advances the amendment but does not itself authorize final payment until the Board votes.
