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County committee hears pleas to preserve Allcove youth center as budget cuts loom
Summary
Dozens of youth, clinicians and local officials told the Santa Clara County Health & Hospital Committee that Allcove Palo Alto provides low‑barrier, youth‑led services that have saved lives; the committee requested an interim update on alternative operating models in February and staff confirmed current county funding runs through June 30, 2026.
Dozens of young people, clinicians and local officials urged the Santa Clara County Health & Hospital Committee on Tuesday to preserve Allcove Palo Alto — the county‑supported, youth‑led drop‑in center that offers counseling, peer support and connections to clinical care — as supervisors and staff weigh program changes amid a severe county budget shortfall.
"Alcove saved my life," said Tess, who identified herself in public comment as a former participant, crediting the center with counseling and career support. Clinicians and school mental‑health staff backed the young speakers: "Alcove is not just a mental‑health clinic. It's youth‑led, designed with youth for youth," said Shashank Joshi, a professor of psychiatry at Stanford who addressed the committee by Zoom.
The hourlong public comment period included accounts from Palo Alto school officials, Project Safety Net organizers and a Palo Alto City Council member who said the city will explore transitioning operations to community providers with continued county financial support during a staged handoff. Speakers repeatedly linked Allcove to local suicide clusters and said the center reaches youth who otherwise would not seek help.
Behavioral Health Services director Sherry Terrell told the committee staff are working on alternatives to maintain North County services at reduced cost. One supervisor proposed directing staff to prepare a three‑year $1.75 million contract, with CPI increases in years two and three, for a community‑based organization to operate North County services and asked BHSD to work with Allcove and youth stakeholders on a seamless transition. The supervisor later withdrew that motion and amended it to ask staff to return with an interim update on alternative models in February. Committee members then voted to receive the report and accept the February update request.
County staff clarified that Allcove's current county funding is budgeted through June 30, 2026, and any longer‑term decisions would be considered through the normal budget process: departmental recommendations in April and the recommended budget in May. James, a county staffer, warned that the county is facing multi‑year fiscal pressure and that community partners and the county must work together on a financially sustainable model.
Supporters offered transition ideas: the city of Palo Alto indicated willingness to assume operational responsibility while phasing county financial support; local nonprofits said they would consider partnerships. Committee members emphasized the need to preserve low‑barrier access, services that do not require parental permission, and Allcove's youth‑led engagement model — elements speakers said are essential for reaching marginalized teens.
The committee did not adopt funding changes at the meeting. Instead it directed staff to continue developing alternatives, to engage with Alcove and stakeholders, and to return with an interim progress report in February; the department will include any formal budget proposal in the county's spring budget cycle.
What happens next: BHSD will continue stakeholder engagement and develop alternative operating proposals. The committee expects an interim update on progress in February; the department's April budget package will include any formal funding requests for the next fiscal year.
