Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutfinal-african-american-wellness-hub-advisory-committee-february-18-2026-4th-session-cl-editsAfrican American Wellness Hub Advisory Committee (AAWHC) February 18, 2026 Committee Meeting AGENDA ●Welcome ●Check-In & Purpose ●ACBHD/Community Priorities & Vision ●Summary: January Meeting ●Presentation: Cultural Strategist ●Review: Needs, Success Indicators, and Gaps ●Discussion: Recommendation on Building Designs ●Next Steps & Closing 2 4th AAWHC Meeting February 18,2026 Welcome & Review Ground Rules 3 4 COMMITTEE GROUND RULES: The Committee agreed to the following shared norms: ●Maintain respect and do not interrupt speakers. ●Do not assume malicious intent; hold space for learning. ●Uphold constructive dialogue and care-centered conversations. ●Be mindful ●Promote authentic community voice and inclusive participation Purpose of the African American Wellness Hub Advisory Committee 5 6 Hub Advisory Committee Purpose: •The African American Wellness Hub Advisory Committee was established (October 2025) by the Department (ACBHD) to provide project specific input into the development of a Hub centering on African American wellness; and co-designed through community input. •The initial phase of its convening will serve as a time-limited body focusing on offering culturally affirming, holistic, and community-based feedback that will inform design and construction which may be coordinated by ACBHD through General Services Agency (GSA) and other county-contracted construction/design or other related programs. •During this phase, there will be five (5) Hub Advisory Committee meetings between November 2025 and March 2026 (wherein three (3) of the meetings will be In-Person and two (2) meetings will be held virtually). ❑Today’s Meeting Deliverable: Draft Service and Design Recommendations 7 Hub Advisory Committee Webinars & Meeting Structure: •In addition to In-person events, the African American Wellness Hub Advisory Committee meetings will always be hosted as interactive Zoom webinars, designed to ensure a structured, accessible, and community-centered engagement experience. •Each session will include county department partners who will be present to listen, support, facilitate guided discussions and exercises, and help to inform future planning efforts while maintaining a smooth and organized session flow. •All meetings will incorporate opportunities for Q&A and feedback exchanges. •Community members will be able to listen and ask questions in the chat. ACBHD/Community Priorities & Vision 8 African American Wellness Hub Priorities •Psychiatry Clinic & Medication Support •Mental Health & Substance Use Treatment and Supports •Primary Care & integrative Medical Care, Public Health •Housing Support •Justice-Involved Supports & Re-Entry Programs •Employment •Peer Recovery Programs •Family Engagement & Navigation Programs •Elder & Youth Supports •Navigation & Benefits Coaching, Social Services •Faith-Based connections •Culturally-Rooted Wellness Events & Space-Sharing •Food, Gardening, & Nutrition •Crisis Services Hub Advisory Committee Roles & Expectations 10 11 Hub Advisory Committee Roles & Expectations: Strengthening collaboration and service integration across sectors. Prioritization of Wellness & Health Services Design and Layout of the Wellness Hub Populations to be served with cultural relevance. Advisory Committee will provide input on: •Advises, Doesn't Decide –Provides recommendations and input only; will not make binding decisions or manage operations. •Formally Established –Through the ACBHD organizational application or appointment process. •External Experts –Composed of subject matter experts, stakeholders, or community representatives across Alameda County. •Transparent Operations –Meetings and activities are open to public access and will allow for community-wide input. •Focused Mission –Has clearly defined purpose, goals, and membership guidelines; included time-limited activities. •No Legal Liability –Unlike boards of directors, members have no fiduciary duty, though they're expected to act ethically. Phase I Wellness Hub Advisory Committee Deliverables: Final Presentation & Departmental Update (November 2025 -March 2026) Compile Input & Recommendations Present Input to ACBHD Departmental Leadership Share Executive Summary with Advisory Committee & Stakeholders Recognize and Thank Members 12 Updated AAWHC Themes 13 14 Meeting Themes ●Introduction to the African American Wellness Hub Committee ●Understanding the Larger Team and Defining Success ●Program Assessment ●Design and Service Prioritization ●Final Recommendations & Marketing Cares First Jails Last (CFJL) Recommendations 15 16 Recommendations ●1A: African American Resource Center ○“... develop an African American advisory committee with minimum 50% representation of people with lived experience, including family members, with the goal of identifying necessary services, culturally responsive resources, and to support the expansion and dissemination of funds relative to the Center.” ●1B: African American Resource Center Information Dissemination ○“...information (sic) should be shared by County and community agencies, including at every step of the criminal legal process (e.g., law enforcement, courts, probation, etc.) CFJL Implementation Report Committee Member Check-In 17 18 Committee Check-In Please state your: ●Name ●Area of Interest ●Prompt: The African American Wellness Hub will truly succeed if our community can… January Meeting Summary 19 20 January Meeting Summary Theme: Design and Service Prioritization VISION & GUIDING PRINCIPLES: •Space grounded in dignity, safety, accessibility, and inclusivity •Culturally responsive and restorative—not crisis-defined •Welcoming and non-stigmatizing (home-like, not clinical) •Wellness, defined as physical, emotional, spiritual, cultural, & communal well-being DESIGN PRIORITIES: •Natural light and open floor plans •Flexible multi-use and reflection spaces •Confidential offices and open gathering areas •Public art, barrier-free library, and teaching kitchen •Adequate storage for long-term functionality 21 January Meeting Summary Theme: Design and Service Prioritization Cont. PROGRAMMATIC DIRECTION: •Teach self-care, mindfulness, and healthy living skills •Integrate effective existing services (e.g., food justice, youth, mental wellness) •Reintroduce traditional & Ancestral healing practices •Support families and community—not only individuals •Elevate cooking and life skills as foundations of dignity and self-sufficiency ADDRESSING STIGMA & BUILDING TRUST: •Frame/ center wellness, restoration, and community •Use storytelling and narrative to shape understanding •Design culturally affirming and familiar spaces Cultural Strategist Update 22 23 Review: Needs, Success Indicators and Gaps 24 Needs, Success Indicators, and Gaps COMMUNITY & SYSTEM NEEDS •Culturally rooted, holistic wellness space centered on African American identity •Prevention-focused infrastructure (i.e., teaching kitchen, flexible healing spaces) •Psychologically safe, non-clinical environment that builds trust •Integrated community resources (i.e., housing, workforce, food access) •Intergenerational engagement and cultural transmission SUCCESS INDICATORS •High utilization of preventive programs and community spaces •Increased first-time & continued engagement in wellness services •Positive community perception of safety and belonging •Seamless service coordination across partners •Sustainable, multi-source funding model 25 Needs, Success Indicators, and Gaps Cont. IDENTIFIED GAPS & RISKS • Design-program misalignment or limited future flexibility • Risk of clinical perception and stigma • Address resource navigation silos • Operational capacity constraints • Overreliance on single funding stream Discussion: Recommendation on Building Design 26 27 DISCUSSION: BUILDING DESIGN •1. Building Visual Identity & First Impressions •As you envision approaching and entering the African American Wellness Hub, what should the building communicate to the community? How can the design convey dignity, belonging, and cultural pride both from the street and within its spaces? What design elements or architectural approaches should the team explicitly avoid to ensure the space feels genuinely open and welcoming rather than institutional? 28 DISCUSSION: BUILDING DESIGN •2. Balancing Openness with Privacy •The Hub must serve both as a welcoming community gathering place and a confidential space for personal health services. How should the design balance these seemingly competing needs? Where and how should private consultation areas be positioned in relation to communal spaces to protect confidentiality while maintaining accessibility and reducing stigma? 29 DISCUSSION: BUILDING DESIGN •3. Intergenerational Design & Community Flow •The Hub will serve African American families across all life stages –from children and youth to working adults and seniors -often simultaneously. How should the building’s layout support these different age groups and their varying needs? Which spaces should be adjacent, and which should be separated? How can circulation patterns accommodate everyone from energetic children to elders with mobility considerations? 30 DISCUSSION: BUILDING DESIGN •4. Embedding Culture in Architecture •Beyond surface decoration, how can African American culture, history, and healing traditions be authentically woven into the architecture of the building? What role should materials, natural light, spatial layout, artwork, landscaping, and outdoor spaces play in creating a culturally resonant environment? Are there specific cultural practices, historical references, or wellness traditions that should visibly inform the design? 31 DISCUSSION: BUILDING DESGN •5. Creating Wellness that does not FEEL Clinical •Traditional healthcare facilities often carry a stigma and can feel intimidating or unwelcoming. What specific design elements -colors, materials, layouts, signage, lighting – might unintentionally make the Hub feel like a clinical institution? Conversely, what does a true wellness-centered building look and feel like? How can the design emphasize healing, community, and empowerment over treatment and diagnosis? 32 DISCUSSION: BUILDING DESIGN •6. Designing for Future Needs •Looking ahead 5 to 10 years, how might the Alameda County African American community’s needs evolve? What emerging health services, technologies, or community programs should the building anticipate? Which spaces must remain flexible and adaptable, and which should be purpose-built? How can the design incorporate growth without compromising the intimacy and cultural specificity that make this Hub unique? 33 DISCUSSION: BUILDING DESIGN •7. Core Design Principles & Priorities •If you could establish only three non-negotiable design principles that will guide the architects, contractors, and County leadership throughout this process –principals that cannot be compromised regardless of budget pressures or timeline concerns –what would they be? What values must remain at the center of every design decision to ensure that Wellness Hub truly serves its intended purpose? Next Steps & Closing 34 Centering African American Health & Wellness 35 Next Steps: •Distribute February 2026 Meeting Summary •Committee Summary •Next Meeting Date: •March 18, 2026 –In- person Questions, Comments, or Input? 36 Thank you. Tilling & Seeding: The journey continues.