Memorandum
Date: July 15, 2025
To: The Honorable Lake County Board of Supervisors
From: Elise Jones, Director of Behavioral Health Services
Subject: Consideration of the Agreement Between County of Lake and Kno'Qoti Nation Native Wellness Inc. in the Amount of $1,000,000 For Fiscal Years 2025-2030.
Executive Summary:
Lake County Behavioral Health Services (LCBHS) is requesting Board approval of a five-year agreement with Kno’Qoti Native Wellness, Inc. (KNWI) in the amount of $1,000,000, funded through the County’s Opioid Settlement Funds (OSF). This contract was awarded through a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP No. 25-1138), in alignment with the County’s Opioid Settlement Funds Expenditure Plan and the High Impact Abatement Activities (HIAA) framework established by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS).
This agreement supports the implementation and expansion of KNWI’s ElevateED Program-a culturally grounded youth prevention and leadership initiative focused on reducing opioid and substance misuse among transitional age youth (TAY) and other at-risk populations in Lake County, with particular attention to Native youth.
The ElevateED Program includes:
• School-Based Prevention Outreach to middle and high school students across Lake County.
• Peer Mentorship and Leadership Development to empower youth as health ambassadors.
• Community Wellness Events and intergenerational engagement to support families affected by opioid misuse.
• Cultural Education and Resilience Building using traditional Native wellness practices.
KNWI will collaborate with local schools, tribal organizations, and LCBHS to deliver evidence-informed prevention strategies and increase access to youth-friendly services that foster protective factors, build cultural identity, and prevent substance use disorders. Phase 1 deliverables, including initial school outreach and peer mentor training, must be completed by November 30, 2025.
The contract includes strict performance expectations, including:
• Quarterly reports documenting youth participation, program activities, and measurable outcomes;
• An annual evaluation assessing impact, engagement, and alignment with County prevention goals;
• Detailed fiscal documentation and a reimbursement-only payment structure tied to actual deliverables;
• Full compliance with all applicable federal and state regulations, including HIPAA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
KNWI is a Native-led organization based in Lakeport, CA, and has demonstrated strong community partnerships and organizational readiness to implement culturally competent behavioral health programming. This agreement affirms the County’s commitment to equity in service access and the use of opioid settlement dollars for youth prevention, per guidance from the National Opioid Abatement Trust, California Attorney General, and relevant legal settlements.
Approval of this agreement will ensure the County continues to invest in upstream prevention, build youth leadership capacity, and strengthen culturally relevant behavioral health infrastructure in communities most impacted by the opioid crisis.
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Recommended Action: Approve the Agreement Between County of Lake and Kno'Qoti Nation Native Wellness Inc. in the Amount of $1,000,000 For Fiscal Years 2025-2030 and Authorize the Board Chair to Sign.