City Council 2024 Priorities Community Update Series:
Community Health, Safety, Wellness & Belonging
Advancing community health and safety has long been a priority of the City Council, and in 2024 they set Community Health, Safety, Wellness, and Belonging as one of four Council Priorities to focus on in the year ahead. This action was in recognition that although the pandemic emergency officially ended a year ago this month, the isolation and its impact are not forgotten, prompting the City to take a more holistic view of promoting community resources and programs. This update provides a summary of progress made on the Council’s 2024 Priority: Community Health, Safety, Wellness & Belonging and the related 20 objectives advancing this annual priority.
At the start of each year, the City Council selects priorities to focus on, and as of 2023, also approves objectives that advance their priorities. The 2024 City Council Priorities are:
· Climate Change and Natural Environment: Protection & Adaptation
· Community Health, Safety, Wellness, and Belonging
· Economic Development & Transition
· Housing for Social and Economic Balance
The Council also approved 78 objectives, related Council committee workplans, and community and stakeholder engagement necessary to advance the objectives. The community can expect to track progress through quarterly progress reports that will be released sharing updates on each objective.
Find the full list of 2024 objectives here.
Consider signing up for weekly updates through our digital newsletter, Uplift Local, sharing City news and also tips, programs and events connecting the community to resources focused on community health, safety, wellness and belonging.
Below are highlights of this year’s Community Health, Safety, Wellness & Belonging priorities and their progress.
Complete Reopening of Libraries to Pre-Pandemic Levels
This year the Library will extend days at all libraries so it can expand its ability to deliver its mission, which includes: Connecting our diverse community through knowledge, resources, and opportunities. Nurturing innovation, discovery, and delight.
What this means for the community is the following schedule of open days per week: Mitchell Park (open seven days), Rinconada (open seven days), Downtown (open five days), and College Terrace (open five days). Children’s Library will reopen to six days a week before the end of June 2024.
The library continues to offer many books, resources, courses and events for nourishing a healthy mind, body and spirit, as well as inclusiveness and community. The library also has a robust eLibrary with content geared towards people of all ages and stages of life.
Find out more about the Palo Alto Library here.
Evaluate Recreation Wellness Center Feasibility
The Community Services team offers a variety of programs, activities and parks and open space for promoting a positive quality of life, including classes for all ages, 40 miles of hiking trails, a municipal golf course, art exhibits, the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo, pools, and community centers.
To expand Community Services’ offerings and better meet the needs of our growing community, the Council directed staff and the Parks and Recreation Commission to conduct public outreach on feasibility of building a Recreation Wellness Center, which would include a new gym.
Staff has been researching and gaining community input on a potential location, gym features, cost estimates, funding timeline and fundraising. Later this year, staff aims to bring to Council a recommended location for the proposed center and a Letter of Intent with the Friends of the Recreation Wellness Center. At that time, staff will receive further direction from Council before advancing this initiative further.
For Community Services, including recreation classes and more, go here.
Increase support and funding for youth mental health
Because our youth are particularly vulnerable, facing unprecedented challenges, Council directed staff to seek funding in the Fiscal Year 2024 midyear budget process for youth mental health programs. The funding was approved and will be used for events focused on youth mental health, expanding offerings at the teen center, and developing initiatives based on results from a recent survey of Palo Alto youth on mental health.
The Mayor’s Youth Mental Health Task Force may make recommendations for additional funding for teen mental health programs for Fiscal Year 2025. Additionally, the City of Palo Alto has partnered with two nonprofit organizations, Momentum for Health and Project Safety Net and Palo Alto Unified School District to offer Mental Health First Aid Training to parents and caregivers, educators and teens.
For teen services, go here. For teen mental health resources, go here. For Library Mental Health First Aid Trainings, go here.
Develop a workplan to enhance community special events with focus on inclusion
Community Services has hired a special events coordinator to develop and guide continuing events with an eye towards creating more opportunities for all residents to connect and engage, promoting a healthy community. This coordinator will work with the economic development team to support events along California Avenue and University Avenue, which would have the added benefit of supporting economic development in these key commercial areas and districts.
For events, go here. For the City calendar, go to www.cityofpaloalto.org/calendar
Complete Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST Augmentation) pilot and evaluate the effort.
This new objective focuses on completing the augmentation pilot for the Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST), an alternative mental health response program providing case management, mental health first aid trainings, and community outreach activities. The City is conducting a progress evaluation to determine what might need to be adjusted and whether pilot goals were met. The pilot, made possible through a federal grant, ends in September, with the release of a final report on the entire pilot anticipated in December 2024.
The County’s Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST), which helps people facing a mental health or substance use crisis, can be reached by calling (800) 704–0900 (press 1) or texting 9–8–8 from local 408, 650, and 669 area codes.
Council award of construction contract for Fire Station №4 Replacement
A consultant completed the design and received Planning approval in November 2023 for the project, which will create a new facility built to current essential services standards that are critical for maximizing operations during and after a major disaster such as a significant earthquake. A construction management contract was awarded in December 2023, and the design team submitted for building permit review in late April. Work is also underway to install temporary modular buildings at the Cubberley Community Center for a temporary fire station during construction. In April the project team shared details about the construction timeline, and answered questions about Fire operations when stationed at the temporary station. No service impacts are anticipated by the project construction.
Upon completion, the Fire Station will be built to accommodate both an ambulance and an engine and staff is exploring service changes including adding additional resources.
For the project page, go here.
Complete construction of the new Public Safety Building including department move-in.
The team expects to complete construction of the new Public Safety Building (PSB), which is needed to meet the demand for growing public safety services and changing regulations, by the end of July 2024. Once complete, the PSB will house all public safety departments under one roof, increasing efficiency. Staff from the Police Department, 911 Emergency Dispatch Center, the Emergency Operations Center, the Office of Emergency Services, and Fire Department administration expect to move in in phases immediately following completion.
Upcoming Events
WaveFest Teen Art & Music Festival (June 1)
Enjoy local teen art and live music while connecting with other teens.
Line Dancing with Sandy & Kent (June 6)
Exercise your brain and body and enhance your balance while dancing to a variety of international music. No partner needed and beginners are welcome!
Mental Health First Aid Training: Part 1 (June 8)
Learn how to support your friends, families, and neighbors by becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid. (Part 2 is scheduled for June 22)
3rd Thursday on California Ave
Enjoy live music and community connection.
MORE ONLINE RESOURCES
Wellness Resources
· Sign up now for the City’s weekly digital newsletter Uplift Local, offering ongoing support directly to your email inbox.
· Read a community update sharing Support and Resources for Community & Teen Wellness and National Wellness Month Resource Roundup and Mental Health Awareness Month.
· Learn more and download the app today to gain free rides using Palo Alto Link supporting teen (13–18 years old) access to mental health and community services.
Mental Health Resources
- The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 9–8–8.
- The County’s Trusted Response Urgent Support Team (TRUST), which helps people facing a mental health or substance use crisis, can be reached by calling (800) 704–0900 (press 1) or texting 9–8–8 from local 408, 650, and 669 area codes.
- The Children’s Health Council offers Teen Therapy Services, Visit www.chconline.org
- allcove provides non-urgent mental health support for young people aged 12 to 25. Call (650) 798–6330 or visit allcove.org/centers/palo-alto/
- Project Safety Net (PSN) mobilizes community support and resources in Palo Alto for youth suicide prevention and mental wellness.
- Avenidas Friendship Line for seniors: (650) 289–5400 for assistance or to request a friendly phone call.
- El Camino Health Chinese Health Initiative — Emotional Well-Being: Programs that support managing emotional health for yourself and those around you.
