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Home My WebLink About081324-03.1 STUDY SESSION MEMORANDUM 3.1 TO: Mayor and Town Council August 13, 2024 SUBJECT: Discovery Counseling Center – Program Funding request BACKGROUND In June 2024, the Town has received a request for financial assistance from the Discovery Counseling Center (Discovery) to establish a comprehensive group therapy program targeted toward serving senior and teen populations. Attached is the request which describes the proposed new program, including how it would be rolled out, specific populations that could be served, and the potential benefits anticipated to result. DISCUSSION The Town received an initial proposal from Discovery on June 21, 2024. After receiving the proposal, the Town Manager responded and raised questions regarding how the program would be rolled out and operated, how it would expand the current services offered by Discovery and the target populations that could most benefit. Discovery subsequently presented a revised proposal addressing each of the questions that were raised. The revised proposal provided a comprehensive program overview and is included as Attachment A to this memorandum. In July, the Town Manager met with Discovery Executive Director Sumita Bhandari to further discuss the proposal. At that time, the Town Manager provided feedback supporting an approach that would see this program initially focus upon local teen and senior populations. Both groups represent populations where there could be considerable need and demand for accessibility to a no fee program. Teen and senior services have been high priorities with respect to programming offered through the Town’s Recreation, Arts and Community Services Department. Ms. Bhandari will attend the August 13, 2024 Study Session to present an overview of the program and respond to Town Council questions. The funding request seeks $42,000 to $126,000 to fund the program for one to three years (i.e. $42,000 per year for up to three years). This would offer the program to participants at no fee. Given the Town’s limited resources, the use of the General Fund to fund this or similar programs is not possible. However, Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) could be considered to fund this program. The Town has reserved $250,000 in ARPA funds to “identify and Discovery Counseling Center 2 August 13, 2024 support local and/or regional service providers with initiatives to address pandemic induced social isolation, provide mental health services/assistance or improve response to behavioral health crises.” These funds remain available to be appropriated. RECOMMENDATION Receive a presentation from Discovery Counseling Center to consider funding a Comprehensive Group Therapy Program. Provide direction to Town staff for how to proceed. Prepared by: Joseph Calabrigo Town Manager Attachment A: Discovery Counseling Center Funding Request Proposal: Comprehensive Group Therapy Program Funding Request Proposal: Comprehensive Group Therapy Program Objective: We are seeking funding to establish a comprehensive group therapy program at our community health clinic to meet the urgent mental health needs of underserved populations. This initiative will offer structured support groups led by licensed therapists, focusing on addressing depression, anxiety, isolation, grief and trauma among specific groups including Seniors, Teens, and First Responders. Program Roll Out and Sustainability: •Discovery has relationships with several community nonprofits, the San Ramon Valley Unified School District, faith communities, and civic organizations that would help promote the launch of these groups. Some have offered space to hold the groups and will be engaged in the success of these services. •The ideal locations to hold each group would be based on the type of group, prioritizing accessibility for that population. •We plan to also provide regular specialized training led by our current clinicians who have experience leading clinical therapy groups. Training will be offered to those therapists who may want as they consider starting their own clinician-led therapy group. For the community, this will create an avenue to expand the types of group offerings from Discovery Counseling Center. •We also believe for these groups to be launched successfully it will be necessary for a period to make them accessible at no fee for the community. •Once the success and support of these groups become known to our community, we could consider a return to a modest fee arrangement that would, like our individual therapy fees, be coupled with financial assistance as needed. •Our goal would be to seek funding from the beginning, to support the sustainability of these services through fundraising and grants. We are asking the Town of Danville for kickstart funds to support the launch of these services, but our objective is to continue to fund these groups into the future. •The funds received from the Town in 2021 was given at a critical moment for our agency, and allowed us to continue to our individualized therapy services during a time when the demand for mental health was skyrocketing and our ability to continue operations was being ATTACHMENT A challenged by external factors. We have been able to recover, and grow our access to individual services. •Post pandemic, the demand has continued to grow at a steady pace and continues to exceed our ability to provide individual therapy for everyone who may need support. Reviving the group therapy model gives us a chance to give counseling support to a wider population and provides a number of other benefits to the Town community, as outlined below. Program Benefits: •Enhanced Social Connections and Reduced Isolation: Research consistently shows that group therapy fosters social connections, reduces feelings of isolation, and enhances healing and resilience among participants. Creating a connection and sense of shared community is at the core of our mission as a community mental health clinic, and also, we believe, a core objective for our Town. A group environment fosters those connections among participants and increases their well-being, the benefits of which positively impact our whole community. •Cost-Effective Counseling: Group therapy provides a more cost-effective avenue for accessing counseling services compared to individual therapy. •Increased Access to Mental Health Support : We realize that the demand for services has grown, and we work hard to meet this need. With a group therapy program we have the ability to make a far wider impact among our community members. Indeed, for some populations, the group therapy model has also been shown to be even more effective than individual counseling. Specific Population Benefits: •Teens: Peer interactions in group settings promote improved social skills and a sense of community, crucial for adolescent development. •First Responders: Studies reveal a remarkable 60% decrease in PTSD symptoms among first responders engaged in group therapy, surpassing the 40% reduction seen in those undergoing individual therapy. •Seniors: Group therapy offers vital social interaction and support, particularly beneficial for seniors on fixed incomes who often face financial barriers in accessing mental health services. Impact: By securing funding, Discovery Counseling Center can effectively promote and deliver these vital services, ensuring financial constraints do not hinder access for those most in need. This program aims to cultivate a safe and supportive environment where individuals can openly share experiences, receive expert guidance, and develop effective coping strategies. Budget Request: We respectfully request $42,000 to support the program for one year ($126,000 for a three-year period). This funding will cover the operational costs for three clinician-led group therapy programs tailored to the unique needs of First Responders, Seniors, and Teens. Financial assistance will be available to ensure inclusivity and accessibility for all community members. Conclusion: Investing in this group therapy initiative will profoundly enhance the mental health and well -being of our community's underserved populations. With your support, we aim to establish a sustainable and impactful program that not only addresses critical mental health needs but also fosters long-term healing and resilience among those we serve. We are confident that we can create a sustainable and impactful program that addresses critical mental health needs and promotes long-term healing and resilience, making lasting difference in the lives of many individuals who are seeking and deserving of our community’s compassionate care and support.