DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Accept Minnesota Department Of Health Cannabis And Substance Use Prevention Grant Funds, Execute Grant Agreement, Add 1.0 Grant-Funded Full-Time Equivalent, And Amend 2025 Public Health Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize acceptance of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) grant funds, execution of the grant agreement, addition of 1.0 grant-funded full-time equivalent (FTE), and amendment to the 2025 Public Health Budget.
SUMMARY
Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
During the 2023 legislative session, local and tribal public health agencies in Minnesota were allocated ongoing funding focused on cannabis prevention beginning in state fiscal year (SFY) 2025 (Chapter 121 - MN Laws; Article 1). When the cannabis conference report passed, it contained language changing how local and tribal cannabis funding could be spent (Chapter 121 - MN Laws; Article 3). Eligible uses of the funds include prevention of use of other substances, including cannabis.
In October 2024, Public Health was notified by MDH of a CSUP grant allocation of $283,568 for the period of November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025. These grant funds were awarded to all Community Health Boards throughout the state to create prevention, education, and recovery programs focusing on substance misuse prevention and treatment options, with the main focus on primary prevention of substance use/misuse (Attachment: Grant Guide).
Public Health plans to utilize these grant funds to support the salary and benefits of a 1.0 grant-funded full-time equivalent Substance Use Prevention Specialist. Additionally, these grant funds will support 0.5 of the 1.0 full-time equivalent Public Health Supervisor for Substance Use Prevention that was approved through the 2025 budget process. These positions will create infrastructure to support a substance use prevention program that can respond to the growing needs in the community.
OUTCOMES
How Much?
Hire a 1.0 grant-funded FTE Substance Use Prevention Specialist and a 0.5 of a 1.0 FTE Public Health Supervisor to develop a comprehensive and effective prevention approach for cannabis and substance misuse.
How Well?
Staff will develop evaluation measures to determine effectiveness of workplan deliverables. Strategic adjustments to these efforts will be determined through the evaluation process and continued improvement measures will be implemented to meet the needs.
Are we better off?
The Substance Use Prevention Specialist and Public Health Supervisor will partner with the Public Health Epidemiologist to develop outcome measures as the grant workplan is developed and data points are recorded.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to accept MDH CSUP grant funds in the amount of $283,568 for state FY 2025, execute the grant agreement with MDH, add 1.0 grant-funded FTE, and amend the 2025 Public Health Budget.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is a $0 net County cost anticipated as a result of this action. The 2025 Public Health Budget is requested to be amended to add the anticipated grant award of $283,568. Included in this request is funding for a 1.0 new, grant-funded FTE. This position is contingent upon the availability of grant funding.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☒ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents; and
WHEREAS, during the 2023 legislative session, local and tribal public health agencies in Minnesota were allocated ongoing funding focused on cannabis prevention beginning in state fiscal year (SFY) 2025 (Chapter 121 - MN Laws; Article 1); and
WHEREAS, when the cannabis conference report passed, it contained language changing how local and tribal cannabis funding could be spent (Chapter 121 - MN Laws; Article 3); and
WHEREAS, eligible uses of the funds include prevention of use of other substances, including cannabis; and
WHEREAS, in October 2024, Public Health was notified by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) of a Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) grant allocation of $283,568 for the period of November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025; and
WHEREAS, these grant funds were awarded to all Community Health Boards throughout the state to create prevention, education, and recovery programs focusing on substance misuse prevention and treatment options, with the main focus on primary prevention of substance use/misuse; and
WHEREAS, Public Health plans to utilize these grant funds to support the salary and benefits of a 1.0 grant-funded full-time equivalent Substance Use Prevention Specialist; and
WHEREAS, in addition, these grant funds will support 0.5 of the 1.0 full-time equivalent Public Health Supervisor for Substance Use Prevention that was approved through the 2025 budget process; and
WHEREAS, these positions will create infrastructure to support a substance use prevention program that can respond to the growing needs in the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept the grant funds and execute the Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention grant agreement for the period of November 1, 2024 through October 31, 2025, for a total grant amount of $283,568, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to add a 1.0 grant-funded, full-time equivalent (FTE) position; 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 2025 Public Health Budget is hereby amended as follows:
|
Expense |
|
Staff Expense 1.0 FTE |
$130,631 |
|
Program Expense |
$ 46,796 |
|
Total Expenses |
$177,157 |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
Public Health Grant |
($80,632) |
|
Fund Balance (Indirect) |
($25,779) |
|
Substance Use Prevention Grant |
$283,568 |
|
Total Revenues |
$177,157 |
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Grant Guide
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Coral Ripplinger
Author: Erin Carder