Human Relations Commission - April 9, 2026

Commission recommends larger La Comida and YWCA grants

Palo Alto’s Human Relations Commission voted 4-0 to recommend increasing federal Community Development Block Grant allocations for La Comida and YWCA as part of the city’s fiscal year 2026-27 Annual Action Plan. City Council will make the final decision.

La Comida’s public-services allocation would rise by $1,800, from $4,500 to $6,300. Commissioner Don Barr’s motion was revised from an approximately $12,000 increase after staff said the federal public-services cap allowed that funding category to grow by only $1,800, from $90,000 to $91,800. The remaining available increase would go to public-facility funding.

The commission also supported Chair Michelle Kraus’ proposal to raise YWCA funding from $4,500 to $5,500 through proportional reductions to LifeMoves, Silicon Valley Independent Living Center and Project Sentinel. The two allocation changes and the final recommendation on the amended plan each passed unanimously, 4-0.

Commissioners separately questioned whether block-grant funds could address more than $50,000 in work associated with La Comida’s portion of the city-owned facility at 429 Bryant Street. Staff said facility work can be eligible when federal application and pre-award requirements are followed, but the nearly completed work could not be reimbursed because those steps had not occurred. Staff will review the city’s agreement and repair-cost arrangement with La Comida and report back to the commission.

The Annual Action Plan is scheduled for public review from May 1 through May 31. City Council is scheduled to consider it June 1, with submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development planned by June 19.

City youth mental-health analysis is due in June

A comprehensive review of gaps in Palo Alto’s youth mental-health services is expected to be completed and published in June. Staff said the Jed Foundation’s report will be shared with the commission after it is finished.

The city contracted with the foundation to examine service gaps and coordination opportunities, conduct workshops and support suicide-prevention and postvention planning. The work includes listening sessions, a review of Santa Clara County coroner data, engagement with parents and other stakeholders, and collaboration with the school district.

Listening sessions held in March were open to youth and young adults ages 13 to 30. Two additional virtual sessions were planned for the following week, with 60 people registered. Presenters from Youth Community Service, the Stanford Center for Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing and the HEARD Alliance also described work involving youth leadership, LGBTQ+ inclusion, early-psychosis referrals and community coordination.

Commissioners emphasized the need to make existing resources more visible and easier to access. Don Barr raised concerns about the effects of social media and artificial-intelligence interactions on youth mental health, while Kraus suggested a future commission workshop or listening session and emphasized inclusion and belonging for LGBTQ+ communities. The commission took no formal action on that proposal.

Primary sources

Watch the meeting on YouTube · Read the official meeting packet