Contra Costa County Sets Aside $7.5 Million for African American Holistic Wellness Center

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 came during a 2-day marathon Board of Supervisor Meeting for its Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Recommended Contra Costa County and Special District Budget. However, it did not come without concerns as the Holistic Wellness and Resource Center is still in the creation stage of what it will be and what services it will provide.

It is believed the wellness center would be placed in the City of Antioch, but no final decision has been made. Community advocates are also recommending the center be named after Supervisor Federal Glover.

A day prior, the board of Supervisors approved its Bylaws for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study Steering Committee, as recommended by the Equity Committee. They also approved for the Co-Directors of the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice to release a Request for Proposals to solicit the services of a firm/consultant to conduct a feasibility study for a County African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub, as recommended by the Equity Committee.

The successful bidder will be expected to accomplish the following outcomes:

• Produce a feasibility study that outlines the “what” and the “how” of launching and sustaining an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub in Contra Costa County. The study will outline the most pressing needs faced by the African American community in the County, what services should be housed within the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub, the location(s) of those services to best serve the needs of the most vulnerable members of the African American community, and the initial county investment and total cost to establish the services.
• Facilitate deep engagement with the African American/Black community to ensure that the feasibility study is a reflection of community members’ experiences and responds to their most pressing needs for holistic wellness services and resources
• Share regular progress report updates with the Co-Directors of the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice and the Steering Committee for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study
• Report the feasibility study findings to the Board of Supervisors, outlining clear next
  steps toward establishing an African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub in
  Contra Costa County

However, many in the public suggested during public comments the county was moving too slow and advocated for funding be released now so services could begin.

During the Board of Supervisor Discussion on April 23, the Board agreed allocate $7.5 million for the wellness center as Supervisor John Gioia called it an “important investment” and urge his colleagues to also set aside money for ongoing operating costs.

Meanwhile, Supervisor Candace Andersen was focused on the process noting it was interesting they were going to set aside $7.5 million without knowing what it will look like or who they will serve.

“I understand wanting to earmark money and setting it aside to ensure its there. I am supportive of that, but I do want this board understanding that once we get the RFP and consultant in place, designing it, is it going to be in one of our existing buildings, is it going to be a stand alone, who is it going to serve, what are the services. There is so much to be determined,” stated Andersen. “I don’t mind setting aside $7.5 million and reserving it in this area, I think the community needs to understand its just not going out right away. We still have the reality that government is too slow and we also have to be responsible and follow the process.”

Andersen said they had to follow the process but also members of the community need to acknowledge the work still being done. She further explained its not like the county woke up one day and said there was a need for African American health services, but they recognized it and have been working on it.

She urged that when the recommendations come in that it compliments the work and programs they are already doing and also provide services they currently are not currently providing.

Supervisor Diane Burgis admitted the process feels slow, but they are working through it and a lot of this was new to the county. She also wanted more details on what exactly they would be funding and more definition on what it is.

“Even though it feels slow, there are a lot of things that we have committed with Measure X money that has not been built or implemented,” explained Burgis. “Part of that is because this is new programs for a lot of different department heads and are trying to figure out how to do it.’

Burgis said they had a responsibility to be accountable,  responsible, thoughtful about how they conduct what they do—it takes a while.

Glover interrupted Burgis which prior to him even speaking, Gioia then interjected and interrupted Glover.

“We are not saying how the money is being spent, we are allocating,” said Gioia. “Which this board approves what we spend.”

The Board will be getting another Measure X update in a few months and hoped they will have more information on the wellness center then.

Carlson was okay with setting the money aside, but wanted to see a plan and know they are getting the services out there and who they are going to serve.

“Fast is better, but we don’t want to do it wrong either,” stated Carlson. “We could do more harm than good by doing it wrong.”

The Board did approve the Wellness Center using Measure X funds:

• $2.5 million for family justice Center
• $1.9 million for library deferred maintenance
• $1 million for seniors disabled residents
• $1.5 million for fire (zone-haven and vegetation managements)
• $7.5 million for African American Wellness Center
• $72,400 for elections equity
• $1 million for food insecurity
• $2 million for innovation fund
• $30k for MXCAB
• $5 million for a Guaranteed Income Program — see separate story

Background:

• Nov. 3, 2020 – Contra Costa County Approved 20-year, ½ cent sales tax known as Measure X.
• Feb 2, 2021 – the Board of Supervisors established a Measure X Community Advisory Board (MXCAB) to make funding recommendations.
• Oct 12, 2021 – MXCAB reports recommendations to Board of Supervisors
• April 2023 – Board of Supervisors directed that a one-time allocation of $80,000 of Measure X funds be allocated for the purpose of studying the development of an African American Holistic Wellness Hub in Contra Costa County.
• October 2023 – the Board of Supervisors appointed a 13-member Steering Committee to oversee the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub (AAHWRH) Feasibility Study. The African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub Feasibility Study Steering Committee co-created this RFP, and a five-member selection sub-committee will review all proposals submitted in response
• December 2023 – Upon receipt of the Measure X Community Advisory Board’s FY 23-24 prioritized funding recommendations, on December 12, 2023, the Board of Supervisors directed that a one-time allocation of $1,000,000 of Measure X funds be allocated for the purpose of supporting the “African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub and existing services” in Contra Costa County. These funds are an immediate, intermediary step to what is expected to be an increased, long-term investment in Black communities’ overall well-being and holistic health.

Related Stories:

• Dec 18, 2023 – Burgis: Bringing Measure X Funds to East County
• Dec 12, 2023 – Contra Costa Board of Supervisors to Consider Measure X Allocations
• Sept. 19, 2023 – Contra Costa Seeks Applicants for African American Holistic Wellness Hub Steering Committee
• May 23, 2023 – Contra Costa County Looks to Approve $5.515 Billion Budget