DEPARTMENT: Community Services Administration
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Execute Grant Agreement With Legal Assistance Of Dakota County, Ltd.
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a grant agreement with Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd., (LADC) to fund legal assistance services.
SUMMARY
LADC is a non-profit agency that provides legal assistance services using both staff and volunteer attorneys. The target service population is income-eligible adult residents of Dakota County who are unable to afford representation in non-fee generating civil legal issues. The services support Dakota County residents with appropriate use of the legal system to maintain or improve stability in their lives. Provided legal services focus on family law matters including, but not limited to, divorce, domestic abuse, child custody or visitation rights, and child support.
While the County is not mandated to provide or fund these services, funding of these services helps prevent the need for more costly services and improves access to existing services. Appropriating County funds to a non-profit to provide legal assistance to persons who are unable to afford private legal counsel is authorized by Minn. Stat. § 375.167.
OUTCOMES
The following data reflects outcomes achieved in 2023, the most recent full calendar year that outcome data is available:
• 95 percent of clients who received extended representation from LADC reported an improved quality of life at the end of the service.
• 92 percent of clients who received extended representation from LADC reported they felt safer at the end of the service.
• LADC recovered or protected approximately $343,888 in money or benefits on behalf of clients.
• A total of 1,514 LADC cases were successfully closed in 2023.
• The total number of people in households served by LADC in 2023 was 4,952.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a grant agreement with LADC in an amount not to exceed $70,995 for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Sufficient funding will be included in the 2025 County Manager’s Recommended Budget for this grant. The grant agreement will contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the grant in the event sufficient funds from county, state, or federal sources are not appropriated at a level sufficient to allow payment of the amount due.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd., (LADC) is a non-profit agency that provides legal assistance services using both staff and volunteer attorneys; and
WHEREAS, the target population for these services is income-eligible adult residents of Dakota County who are unable to afford representation in non-fee generating civil legal issues; and
WHEREAS, the services support Dakota County residents with appropriate use of the legal system to maintain or improve stability in their lives; and
WHEREAS, legal services provided focus on family law problems, including, but not limited to, divorce, domestic abuse, establishing or defending child custody or visitation rights, and assistance with child support matters; and
WHEREAS, while the County is not mandated to provide or fund these services, funding of these services helps prevent the need for more costly services and improves access to existing services; and
WHEREAS, appropriating County funds to a non-profit to provide legal assistance to persons who are unable to afford private legal counsel is authorized by Minn. Stat. § 375.167.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a grant agreement with Legal Assistance of Dakota County, Ltd., in an amount not to exceed $70,995 for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That unless the grant program requirements change, the Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend the grant to extend the grant term up to two years after initial expiration date, accept additional grant funds, and continue grant-funded full-time equivalents, consistent with County contracting policies, and inclusion of grant funds in future yearly Recommended and Approved Budgets, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the grant agreement shall contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the grant agreement in the event sufficient funds from county, state, or federal sources are not appropriated at a level sufficient to allow payment of the amount due.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: None.
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Gilbert Acevedo
Author: Gilbert Acevedo