Title
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a five-year agreement with the Epicenter to provide county-wide art as healing classes to selected at-risk high school students and to collaborate with high school wellness centers throughout Monterey County for the term upon execution through April 30, 2028, for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $410,850; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three future amendments where the combined amendments do not exceed 10% ($41,085) of the original amount and do not significantly change the scope of work, total not to exceed maximum of $451,935.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the County of Monterey Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to execute a five-year agreement with the Epicenter to provide county-wide art as healing classes to selected at-risk high school students and to collaborate with high school wellness centers throughout Monterey County for the term upon execution through April 30, 2028, for a total Agreement amount not to exceed $410,850; and
b. Approve and authorize the Director of Health Services or designee to sign up to three future amendments where the combined amendments do not exceed 10% ($41,085) of the original amount and do not significantly change the scope of work, total not to exceed maximum of $451,935.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The County of Monterey Health Department Public Health Bureau’s Cannabis Education Program (Cannabis Education Program) is an awardee of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Proposition 64 Public Health and Safety Grant Program Cohort 3 funding. The project titled Monterey County Art and Education Go Together was submitted to the State in 2022 and will provide funds to enhance public health and safety efforts associated with illicit and youth cannabis use. BSCC grant funds provide capacity for the Cannabis Education Program to collaborate with Epicenter to offer at risk youth art programing, referred to as art as health classes, to heal personal and community trauma.
Epicenter is a 501c3 organization founded in 2014 by a group of young adults from the Salinas community to empower at-risk and system involved youth. Over the past eight years, Epicenter has expanded to include supportive services for LGBTQ+, foster, and unhoused youth. Services include drug and alcohol education, and food pantry and teen closet to provide food and clothing to youth in need.
The proposed art as healing classes will expand Epicenter’s existing services and provide students an expressive non-verbal outlet to challenging conversations that are not limited by words as a way to describe their emotions and increase resiliency. Developing proficiency in music, arts, or dance can help promote feelings of self-efficacy and identity - both of which are indicated in the prevention of mental health and substance use disorders. According to 2021 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than a third (37%) of high school students reported experiencing poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, and 44 percent reported feeling persistently sad or hopeless during the past year.
This agreement supports a public health prevention approach to serve at-risk high school students by offering small group art classes that create a safe space to bridge art and emotional healing. Epicenter staff will collaborate with high school wellness centers to gather referrals for youth who would benefit from small pro-social nonjudgmental group art classes. The teaching model will include art classes facilitated by Epicenter staff and a master’s in social work intern reaching approximately 200-300 high school students annually (1,000 to 1,000 students over five years). Art classes will be provided throughout the County.
This work supports the County of Monterey Health Department 2018-2024 Strategic Plan Goals: 1. Empower the community to improve health; and 2. Enhance community health and safety through prevention. It also supports one of the ten essential public health services, specifically: 3. Communicate effectively to inform and educate people about health, factors that influence it, and how to improve it.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
County Counsel has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to legal form. Auditor-Controller has reviewed and approved this Agreement as to fiscal provisions.
FINANCING:
This Agreement is funded 100% by the Proposition 64 grant from the State of California, Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC). Appropriations for this Agreement are or will be included in the Health Department’s budget for FY 2023-24 through FY 2027-28 (001-4000-8124-HEA003).
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Check the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives:
☐ Economic Development:
• Through collaboration, strengthen economic development to ensure a diversified and healthy economy.
☐ Administration:
• Promote an organization that practices efficient and effective resource management and is recognized for responsiveness, strong customer orientation, accountability, and transparency.
☒ Health & Human Services:
• Improve health and quality of life through County supported policies, programs, and services, promoting access to equitable opportunities for healthy choices and healthy environments in collaboration with communities.
☐ Infrastructure:
• Plan and develop a sustainable, physical infrastructure that improves the quality of life for County residents and supports economic development results.
☐ Public Safety:
• Create a safe environment for people to achieve their potential, leading businesses and communities to thrive and grow by reducing violent crimes as well as crimes in general.
Prepared by: Patricia Velarde, Management Analyst II, 796-1377
Approved by:
_____________________________Date:________________
Elsa Mendoza Jimenez, Director of Health Services, 755-4526
Attachments:
Board Reports
Agreement