Posting Language
Title
Authorize negotiation and execution of an agreement with Youth and Family Alliance d/b/a Lifeworks to provide mental health care, peer support, health care referral and education, and community engagement services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, gender non-conforming, gender fluid, genderqueer, and two-spirit communities (LGBTQIA2S+ population) residing in Austin/Travis County for an 18-month term ending on September 30, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $153,643, with four 12-month extension options each in an amount not to exceed $102,429, for a total agreement amount not to exceed $563,359. Funding: $51,214 is available in the Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget. Funding for the remainder of the termt is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
De
Lead Department
Austin Public Health.
Fiscal Note
Funding in the amount of $51,214 is available in the Fiscal Year 2024- 2025 Austin Public Health Department Operating Budget. Funding for the remainder of the agreement is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
For More Information:
Adrienne Sturrup, Director, 512-972-5167; Laura LaFuente, Assistant Director, 512-972-5077; Ashlee Kraus, Acting Social Services Agreements Administration Manager, 512-972-5044; Juanita Jackson, Business Process Consultant, (512) 972-6163.
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
February 12, 2024 - The City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Quality of Life Advisory Commission submitted Recommendation No. 20240212-5 for LGBTQIA+ Affirming Mental Healthcare, citing findings from the City's 2021 LGBTQIA+ Quality of Life Study that demonstrate a vital need for LGBTQIA+-affirming mental health and wrap-around support services.
Additional Backup Information:
This action will authorize negotiation and execution of a new social services agreement with Youth and Family Alliance d/b/a Lifeworks for their LGBTQIA+ Mental Health Services program to improve the mental health of LGBTQIA2S+ identifying youth in Austin/Travis County by addressing the unique barriers faced by these youth. This agreement was awarded via a solicitation process. APH’s Request for Proposals -2024-003 LGBTQIA2S+ Services was released October 10, 2024, and applications were due November 21, 2024. Optional Pre-Bid Meetings took place on October 22, 2024, and October 23, 2024. There were eight proposals submitted, with over 800 vendors solicited.
Youth and Family Alliance d/b/a Lifeworks will provide community-based counseling through a trauma-informed clinical counseling program tailored for youth and young adults (ages 16-26) who have experienced complex trauma related to family conflict, homelessness and housing instability, systems involvement, intimate partner violence, and systemic discrimination. LGBTQIA2s+ youth who have a history of trauma, experience homelessness, and/or are involved in systems are put at greater risk of mental health challenge and will receive school-based services including support groups, counseling services, clinical case management services, and training series.