To: Board of Supervisors
From: Dr. Grant Colfax, Health Services Director
Report Title: Contract #23-798-1 with RYSE, Inc., a California Nonprofit Corporation
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Acting as the Governing Board of the West Contra Costa Healthcare District (WCCHD), APPROVE and AUTHORIZE the WCCHD Executive Director, or designee, to execute on behalf of the WCCHD Contract #23-798-1 with RYSE, Inc., a California Nonprofit Corporation, in an amount not to exceed $5,800,000, to provide a Health Justice Center (HJC) for the provision health services for youth and young adults in West Contra Costa County, for the period July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029, subject to approval by the County Administrator and approval as to form by County Counsel.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of this Contract will result in contractual service expenditures of up to $5,800,000 over a 3-year period and will be funded 100% by West Contra Costa Healthcare District (WCCHD) revenues.
BACKGROUND:
The HJC at RYSE Commons is a liberatory healthcare home for Black, Indigenous, Trans, Queer, and Young People of Color in Richmond and West Contra Costa County. The HJC provides, partners, trains, and invests in a full spectrum of health services including qualified professionals competent in youth development, professional pathways for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and Black, Indigenous, and Young/Youth of Color (BIYOC) health practitioners and providers, first aid in emergency/urgent care, therapy, aroma therapy, yoga, skin care, nutrition, alcohol and drug treatment and prevention, including overdose treatment and care, medicinal plants and herbs, dental care, queer and trans inclusive and affirming sexual and reproductive health, including support and treatment related to lethal and non-lethal injury, sexual assault, domestic violence and intimate partner violence.
The HJC will center the priorities and needs of young people most vulnerable to systems harm and/or neglect (e.g. undocumented, commercially/ sexually exploited, engaged in trafficking, homeless, queer, transgender, and gender non-conforming youth, young people directly impacted by the legal criminal and child welfare systems), creating and cultivating the spaces and resources for young people to imagine the systems they not only need currently, but desire to lead as next generation health leaders.
With Contra Costa County’s $5,800,000 investment over three years, RYSE has fulfilled and exceeded core benchmark goals for services. In under three years since opening, the HJC has reached over 1500 young people ages thirteen to twenty-six (13-26). RYSE’s highly trained, community-rooted clinicians and practitioners have provided more than 7,000 therapy, clinical case management, intensive crisis support, and integrated community health programming sessions. Nearly thirty-five percent (35%) of young people accessing counseling and therapy services completed a safety care plan related to suicidality, and over 300 young people experiencing homelessness and housing instability received direct support through the HJC. Nearly fifty percent (50%) of young people engaged in clinical services identify as neurodivergent, and fifteen percent (15%) of clinical sessions are provided in Spanish. Ninety-five percent (95%) of young people at RYSE identify as BIPOC and eighteen percent (18%) identify as LGBTQI+. Since 2023, the HJC has also supported health career exploration and internships for more than 150 young people.
Young people are reporting that health services at RYSE feel safe, relevant, and accessible. In 2025, ninety-nine percent (99%) of young people surveyed reported feeling as safe or safer at RYSE compared to other places they spend time. Eighty-five percent (85%) shared they feel safe accessing health services at RYSE, they are comfortable talking with staff about their health and wellness, and that HJC services are culturally relevant and gender inclusive. Young people directly shape the HJC’s priorities and programming through feedback loops, youth-led research, health internships, and leadership pathways. This Contractor was approved by the Public Works Department’s Purchasing Division on May 7, 2026.
On June 13, 2023, the Board of Supervisors approved Contract #23-798 with RYSE, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $5,800,000, to provide a HJC for youth and young adults in WCCHD, for the period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026.
Approval of Contract #23-798-1 will allow the Contractor to continue to provide a HJC and expanded services for youth and young adults in West Contra Costa County through June 30, 2029.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
If this Contract is not approved, County youth will not have access to the HJC and the services provided.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This program supports the following community outcomes: “Families that are Safe, Stable, and Nurturing”; and “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families”. Expected program outcomes include increases in social connectedness, communication skills, parenting skills, and knowledge of the human service system in Contra Costa County.