DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Ratification Of Grant Application For Children’s Mental Health Respite Care Services And Authorization To Accept Grant Funds And Execute Grant Agreement
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Ratify the grant application for Children’s Mental Health Respite Care Services and authorize acceptance of grant funds and execution of grant agreement.
SUMMARY
Families of children receiving Rule 79 children mental health (CMH) county case management services are caring for children with a severe emotional disturbance (SED) who have special needs and often have challenging behaviors. Providing support for these families is critical to the child's and family's success. Respite care services are a frequently requested support service for these families, and research has indicated that families who received respite care have fewer out-of-home placements and significantly better service plan outcomes.
While respite is considered an important support service for families with children who have a SED, there are limited funding mechanisms to pay for this service. The grant continues to be used to develop and/or expand planned and emergency respite care services for families and their children receiving Rule 79 CMH case management services. Respite care can be provided by a social service or mental health agency, day care provider, family, friends, or neighbors, foster care, or other, including inclusive settings such as camps, after school recreation, the YMCA, et cetera.
On September 4, 2024, Dakota County Social Services - Children and Family Services submitted an application for CMH Respite Care Services to the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) in the requested amount of $203,890 beginning January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
OUTCOMES
Dakota County views respite care as an important tool in preventing out-of-home placements and preserving families' abilities to support their children. The respite grant serves families who have a child with SED who lack ready access to the supports that provide them a break from caregiving responsibilities. Respite care services for children with SED are available both as traditional and nontraditional respite care (including planned respite and on an emergency basis). In addition to preventing out-of-home placement, non-traditional respite services create access to community activity providing enrichment experiences to grow child social skills, peer relationships, independence, and self-confidence.
How much? In 2023, 84 families were served using the respite grant.
How well? All families who applied for a CMH Respite Grant received funding. The grant was fully spent in 2023. Many families stated they would have benefited from a higher grant allotment.
Is anyone better off? Parents report that use of CMH respite grant funds created needed breaks for them and their child, improved their child’s functioning across domains of mental health symptoms, education, social and family functioning. All youth meeting SED criteria and served in a CMH workgroup have access to respite grant funding if it is identified as a need in the service plan development process with their CMH case manager.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends ratification of the grant application with DHS and authorization to accept grant funds and execute the grant agreement for CMH Respite Care Services in the amount of $203,890 beginning January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is a $0 net County cost anticipated as a result of this action. The grant award will be included as a December change to the 2025 Social Services Recommended Budget.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, families of children receiving Rule 79 children mental health (CMH) county case management services are caring for children with a severe emotional disturbance (SED) who have special needs and often have challenging behaviors; and
WHEREAS, respite care services are a frequently requested support service for these families and research has indicated that families who received respite care have fewer out-of-home placements and significantly better service plan outcomes; and
WHEREAS, the grant continues to be used to develop and/or expand planned and emergency respite care services for families and their children receiving Rule 79 children's mental health county case management services; and
WHEREAS, respite care can be provided by a social service or mental health agency, day care provider, family, friends or neighbors, foster care, or other, including inclusive settings such as camps, after school recreation, the YMCA, et cetera; and
WHEREAS, on September 4, 2024, Dakota County Social Services - Children and Family Services submitted an application for CMH Respite Care Services to the Minnesota Department of Human Services in the requested amount of $203,890 beginning January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby ratifies the Children's Mental Health Respite Care Services grant application with the Minnesota Department of Human Services for the period of January 1, 2025 through June 30,207 for a total grant amount of $203,890; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept the Minnesota Department of Human Services Children's Mental Health Respite Care Services grant award of $203,890 and execute a grant agreement for the period of January 1, 2025 through June 30, 2027, 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.
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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: Suzanne Tuttle
Author: Suzanne Tuttle