Recommendation 20250318-009: Recommendation on the FY 2025-26 Budget related to APH Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Mental Health — original pdf

Recommendation

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: Commissioner Chen Drafted By: Hanna Huang (Chair) & Padmini Jambulapati (Vice Chair) Seconded By: Commissioner Xiyi Chen 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 Health Direct Services and additionally fund an AAPI Mental & Behavioral Health Directory. 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 that was partially diverted to health navigation services. One-time funding to support administrative maintenance, directory expansion, and client matching for an AAPI Mental & Behavioral Health Directory. 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: 10-0 For: Chair Huang, Commissioners Chen, Xiyi Chen, Dolling, Nguyễn, Siker, Sin, Thakkar, Yang, Shrestha. Against: None Abstain: None Recuse : Easley Absent: Vice Chair Jambulapati, Commissionner Sha Attest: