Item 9: Draft Recommendation — original pdf

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ASIAN AMERICAN QUALITY-OF-LIFE ADVISORY COMMISSION (AAQoL) RECOMMENDATION 20250318-09 Date: March 18, 2025 Subject: Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Recommendation on the FY 2025-26 Budget related to Austin Public Health Motioned by: Drafted By: Hanna Huang (Chair) & Padmini Jambulapati (Vice Chair) Seconded By: Austin Public Health Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health Description The Asian American Quality-of-Life Advisory Commission would like to recommend that the City increase funding for mental health services. In 2020, Austin Public Health (APH) put out a Request for Grant Applications (RFGA) 004 Asian Pacific Islander Mental Health Services that our commission also supported and recommended. There were two applicants and two awarded agencies: Northwest Austin Universal Health Clinic (NAUHC) for $100,000 and Young Women’s Christian Association (also known as YWCA) for $50,000. With the closure of NAUHC, the $100,000 API Mental Health amount was awarded to Get Up Project d/b/a Hope Medical Clinic to provide health education and navigation services prioritizing the Austin Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. While health navigation services are essential for the AAPI community, their use is very different from the original scope and intention of the RFGA. Given that the funding for mental health for this past fiscal year was diverted to health navigation services, the need is higher than ever to access essential mental healthcare for Austin’s Asian community. Our recommendation would be an ongoing amount that is applied to AAPI Mental and Behavioral Health but also to fund a Mental Health Directory specific to mental health specialists who work with members of Austin’s Asian community. The funds would go towards building community-building activities along with the creation of an updated directory of mental health specialists by language and by specialty. Recommendation Restoration of the full and ongoing amount of $150,000 for AAPI Mental Health Direct Services One-time funding to support administrative maintenance, directory expansion, and client matching for an Asian Behavioral Health Network Department Austin Public Health Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities Alignment with Council Strategic Priorities: Health & Environment: Enjoying a sustainable environment and a healthy life, physically and mentally. A. Health conditions among the public B. Accessibility to quality health care services (physical and mental) Vote For: Against: Abstain: Absent: Attest: