DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Apply For Minnesota Department Of Health Statewide Health Improvement Partnership Grant, Accept Funds and Execute Grant Agreement
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize submission of application for the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) grant, and if awarded, authorize acceptance of grant funds and execution of the grant agreement.
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, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents.
In 2008, SHIP was signed into law as an integral public health component of the Minnesota Health Reform Initiative. The statewide focus was to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes aimed at reducing obesity and tobacco use to reduce the statewide burden of chronic disease and decrease healthcare costs. Dakota County has received funding through this grant since 2009.
Applications for the next five-year grant are due to MDH by August 15, 2025. On June 2, 2025, the County received an estimated award letter from MDH for estimated annual funding of $778,431 for the period of November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2030 (Attachment: Dakota Memo SHIP 6 Annual Award). It stated that “While SHIP grants are on a five-year basis, only the first year of funding has been determined at this time. Funding is also contingent on legislative approval each biennium. The MDH reserves the right to change funding amounts based on the total appropriated to SHIP each biennium.” With no changes to the annual funding amount, Dakota County would expect to receive $3,892,155 for public health prevention work over the next 5 years. Indirect costs have been included in the budget at the maximum allowable rate of 10 percent of the allowable total.
MDH requires grantees to work on strategies in the areas of schools, workplaces, food access, active living, commercial tobacco reduction and health care. Proposed strategies will be developed upon execution of a contract and will be tailored based on the Dakota County Public Health (DCPH) Community Health Assessment and the DCPH Community Health Improvement Plan.
OUTCOMES
Most recent SHIP outcomes from the current cycle will be reported in early 2026. Prior outcomes are included below as examples of SHIP prevention work.
• SHIP Cumulative Progress Report 2015-2022 (Attachment: SHIP Cumulative Progress Report) shows successful past outcomes as well as funds leveraged through the grant program.
• Dakota County SHIP Healthy Neighborhoods Report (Attachment: SHIP Healthy Neighborhood Report) gives more detail to tailored prevention programming and reach within Dakota County in 2023.
• Dakota County SHIP School Wellness Report (Attachment: SHIP School Wellness Report 2024) highlights initiatives focused on youth and school staff in 2024.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to apply for the MDH SHIP 2025 grant for the period of November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2030, and if awarded, accept grant funds and execute grant agreement.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The state-funded grant award is estimated at $778,431 for the first year of the five-year grant term, November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2026. Any unspent grant funds in 2026 will be carried over at the end of the year and must be spent by June 30, 2027. Given no legislative changes, Dakota County would expect $778,431 annually until October 2030 for public health prevention initiatives and will be included in future annual Public Health budgets. Indirect costs have been included in the budget at the maximum allowable rate of 10 percent of the allowable total.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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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, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents; and
WHEREAS, in 2008, the Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) was signed into law as an integral public health component of the Minnesota Health Reform Initiative; and
WHEREAS, the statewide focus was to implement policy, systems, and environmental changes aimed at reducing obesity and tobacco use to reduce the statewide burden of chronic disease and decrease health care costs; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County has received funding through this grant since 2009; and
WHEREAS, applications for the next five-year grant are due to the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) by August 15, 2025; and
WHEREAS, on June 2, 2025, the County received an estimated award letter from MDH for an estimated annual award of $778,431 for the period of November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2030; and
WHEREAS, MDH stated that “While SHIP grants are on a five-year basis, only the first year of funding has been determined at this time; funding is also contingent on legislative approval each biennium and the MDH reserves the right to change funding amounts based on the total appropriated to SHIP each biennium”; and
WHEREAS, MDH requires grantees to work on strategies in the areas of schools, workplaces, food access, active living, commercial tobacco reduction and health care; and
WHEREAS, proposed strategies will be developed upon execution of a contract and will be tailored based on the Dakota County Public Health (DCPH) Community Health Assessment and the DCPH Community Health Improvement Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to submit a grant application to the Minnesota Department of Health for Statewide Health Improvement Partnership Grant funds for the period of November 1, 2025 through October 31, 2030; and
BE IF FURTHER RESOLVED, That if awarded, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept the grant funds and execute the grant agreement for the period of November 1, 2025 to October 31, 2030, 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: Dakota Memo SHIP 6 Annual Award
Attachment: SHIP Cumulative Progress Report
Attachment: SHIP Healthy Neighborhood Report
Attachment: SHIP School Wellness Report 2024
Attachment: Presentation Slides
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: Gina Pistulka
Author: Alex Groten