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Last week, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors agreed to set aside $7.5 million in Measure X funding for an African American holistic wellness and resource hub.
The move was made during a two-day Board of Supervisors meeting on the recommended budget for Contra Costa County and special districts for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. However, the Holistic Wellness and Resource Center is still in the process of creating what it will look like and what services it will offer, so it is not without concerns.
It is believed that the wellness center will be located in the following locations: Antioquia City, but no final decision has been made.Community advocates also recommend naming the center after a supervisor. federal glover.
The previous day, the Board of Supervisors approved bylaws for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study Steering Committee, following the recommendations of the Equity Committee. Also requests the Co-Directors of the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice for the services of a company/consultant to conduct a feasibility study for an African American county holistic wellness and resource hub, as proposed. It also approved the publication of a request for proposals for the project. By the Fairness Commission.
Successful bidders are expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Develop a feasibility study that outlines the “what” and “how” of launching and sustaining an African American holistic wellness and resource hub in Contra Costa County. This study will explore the most pressing needs facing the county’s African American community, what services should be housed within the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub, and the needs of the most vulnerable populations. Outline the locations of those services to best cater to you. members of the African American community, the county’s initial investment and total costs to establish services;
- Foster deep engagement with the African American/Black community to ensure feasibility studies reflect the experiences of community members and address their most pressing needs for comprehensive wellness services and resources.
- Share regular progress report updates with the Co-Directors of the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice and the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study Steering Committee
- Report the results of the feasibility study to the Supervisory Board and provide a clear outline of:
Steps to establish an African American holistic wellness and resource hub
Contra Costa County
But many members of the public suggested during public comment that the county was moving too slowly and argued that funding should be released now so the service can begin.
During an April 23 Board of Supervisors discussion, the board agreed to allocate $7.5 million to the Wellness Center as a supervisor. John Gioia He called it a “significant investment” and urged his colleagues to also set aside funds for ongoing operating costs.
Meanwhile, the supervisor candice andersen focused on the process, noting that it was interesting that they were trying to secure $7.5 million without knowing what it would look like or who it would serve.
“I understand wanting to set aside money and keep it set aside, and I support that, but once you have the RFP and the consultants ready and the design, is it going to be installed in one of the existing buildings? We want the board to understand, is it going to be a standalone building, who is going to have it? That would be helpful, what are the services? There are a lot of things to decide on,” Andersen said. “I don’t mind putting $7.5 million aside and securing it for this region, but I think the community needs to understand that it’s not going to go out immediately. The reality is that the government is too slow to respond. We still have it and we have to follow the process responsibly.”
Andersen said the process needs to be followed, but community members also need to be aware that work is still being done. She further explained that the county didn’t wake up one day and say there was a need for African American health care services, the county recognized it and has been working on it.
She maintained that when nominations come, they complement the work and programs they already do, and also provide services they don’t currently offer.
supervisor Diane Burgis He acknowledged the process feels slow, but they’re working on it and a lot of it is new to the county. She also wanted details on what specifically they would fund and further definition of what that was.
“Even though it feels slow, there are a lot of things that we promised with Measure X funding that haven’t been built or implemented,” Burgis explained. “Part of the reason is because this is a new program for various department heads and they are figuring out how to do it.”
Burgis said they have a responsibility to be responsible and thoughtful about how they conduct their actions, but that will take time.
Grover interrupted Burgis, and before he could speak, Gioia interjected and cut him off.
“We don’t say how the funds will be used, we just allocate them,” Gioia said. “This board approves our spending.”
The board expects to have a new Measure X update in the coming months and expects to have more information about the wellness center at that time.
Carlson had no problem securing the money, but wanted to see the plan and know what services would be provided and who they would serve.
“Faster is better, but we also don’t want to be wrong,” Carlson said. “If you do it wrong, you can do more harm than good.”
The board approved the wellness center using Measure X funds.
- $2.5 million for Family Justice Center
- $1.9 million in deferred maintenance for the library.
- $1 million for elderly disabled residents
- $1.5 million for fire prevention (evacuation zones and vegetation management)
- $7.5 million for African American Wellness Center
- $72,400 in campaign funds.
- $1 million for food insecurity
- $2 million to the Innovation Fund
- $30,000 to MXCAB
- $5 million for guaranteed income program — see separate article
background:
- November 3, 2020 – Contra Costa County approved a 20-year 1/2 cent sales tax known as Measure X.
- February 2, 2021 – The Oversight Board established the Measure X Community Advisory Board (MXCAB) to make funding recommendations.
- October 12, 2021 –MXCAB reports recommendations to supervisory board
- April 2023 – The Board of Supervisors directed a one-time allocation of $80,000 in Measure X funds to study the development of an African American holistic wellness hub in Contra Costa County.
- October 2023 – The Board of Supervisors has appointed a 13-member steering committee to oversee a feasibility study for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub (AAHWRH). The African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study Steering Committee co-authored this RFP, and a five-member selection subcommittee reviewed all proposals submitted in response. To do.
- December 2023 – Measure Americans’ Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub and Existing Services.” These funds are an immediate and interim step toward what is expected to be an increased long-term investment in the overall well-being and overall health of Black communities.
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