DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Minnesota Labs For Community-Based Drug Testing Services
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a contract with Minnesota Labs for Community-Based Drug Testing Services.
SUMMARY
The work of Children and Family Services requires access to community-based services for children, youth, and families, whether in addressing child protection issues, children’s mental health needs, truancy, or youth transitioning from the foster care system. The Minnesota Comprehensive Children’s Mental Health Act, specifically Minn. Stat. § 245.4874, subd. 1, requires county boards to develop a system of affordable and locally available children’s mental health services based on a local service delivery system detailed in Minn. Stat. § 245.4875, subd. 2.
The juvenile protection provisions of the Juvenile Court Act, Minn. Stat. § 260C, reference child protection case plan services and the need for county social services agencies to provide support and services to prevent out-of-home placement, and to assist in family reunification following children being in out-of-home placement. Children and Family Services contracts for supportive services that address the needs of children, youth, and families based on the concerns that brought them to Social Services.
Social Services requires research-supported testing for exposure to alcohol and other drugs on children, youth, and adults. On September 2, 2025, staff issued a request for proposals for Community-Based Drug Testing Services. A review committee from the Social Services team reviewed and scored the proposals (Attachment: Solicitation Summary).
Staff recommends executing a contract with Minnesota Labs for Community-Based Drug Testing Services for the term and the amount listed below:
• Term of contract: date of execution through December 31, 2026
• Not to exceed (NTE) amount: $200,000 (NTE amount is the same as previous contract period)
• Funding source: County Levy
• In 2024, 429 clients were referred for testing.
OUTCOMES
The effectiveness of services is evaluated at the program and service level. Services provided through contracts supports overall child protection and children’s mental health plan goals.
How Much?
In 2024, 2,571 children were served by Dakota County’s Children and Family Services in programs providing a range of services, including Child Protection Assessment and Case Management, Parent Support Outreach, and Children’s Mental Health Assessment and Case Management.
How Well?
In 2024, 124 children entered out-of-home placement through child protection. Of those 124 children, 28 children (23 percent) entered placement with parental drug or alcohol abuse being the primary reason for placement. Through the support of drug testing services, 18 children (64 percent) were successfully reunified with their parents.
Is Anyone Better Off?
For children who entered placement in 2024 and were reunited with their parents, no children (zero percent) have had a repeat report of parental drug or alcohol abuse. One hundred percent of children who reunited did not have a repeat report.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Commissioners authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a contract with Minnesota Labs for Community-Based Drug Testing services in a not to exceed amount of $200,000 from the date of execution through December 31, 2026.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
Funding for this contract will be included in the 2026 County Manager’s Recommended Budget, pending authorization by the County Board. The contract shall contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the contract 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, the work of Children and Family Services requires access to community-based services for children, youth, and families, whether in addressing child protection issues, children’s mental health needs, truancy, or youth transitioning from the foster care system; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Comprehensive Children’s Mental Health Act, specifically Minn. Stat. § 245.4874, subd. 1, requires county boards to develop a system of affordable and locally available children’s mental health services based on a local service delivery system detailed in Minn. Stat. § 245.4875, subd. 2; and
WHEREAS, the juvenile protection provisions of the Juvenile Court Act, Minn. Stat. § 260C, reference child protection case plan services and the need for county social services agencies to provide support and services to prevent out-of-home placement, and to assist in family reunification following children being in out-of-home placement; and
WHEREAS, Children and Family Services contracts for supportive services that address the needs of children, youth, and families based on the concerns that brought them to Social Services; and
WHEREAS, Social Services requires research-supported testing for exposure to alcohol and other drugs on children, youth, and adults; and
WHEREAS, on September 2, 2025, staff issued a request for proposals for Community-Based Drug Testing Services; and
WHEREAS, a review committee from the Social Services team reviewed and scored the proposals; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends executing a contract with Minnesota Labs for Community-Based Drug Testing Services for the term and the amount listed below:
• Term of contract: date of execution through December 31, 2026
• Not to exceed (NTE) amount: $200,000 (NTE amount is the same as previous contract period)
• Funding source: County Levy
• In 2024, 429 clients were referred for testing.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a contract with Minnesota Labs for Community-Based Drug Testing services in a not to exceed amount of $200,000 from the date of execution through December 31, 2026, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend said contract, consistent with the amount budgeted, to alter the contract amount and the contract term up to one year after initial expiration date, consistent with County contracting policies, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the contract shall contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the contract 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: Solicitation Summary.
BOARD GOALS
☒ Thriving People ☐ A Healthy Environment with Quality Natural Resources
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Nikki Conway
Author: Lawrence Dickens