DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract For Community Resource Center Coordinating Agency Services
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a contract with The Improve Group Cooperative for Community Resource Center (CRC) Coordinating Agency Services.
SUMMARY
County staff and community partners have been exploring the potential to develop CRCs (previously referred to as One-Stop Shops) in Dakota County for several years. These centers would offer a comprehensive array of services and supports to meet people’s needs in community settings, with the goal of promoting family well-being and preventing involvement in child protection and other deep-end services. The services and supports would be provided by a constellation of community organizations, hosted by community partners, with structural support from a Coordinating Agency.
The Sauer Family Foundation offered a grant application that was intended to support the county and community partners in implementing CRCs in Dakota County.
By Resolution No. 24-212 (April 23, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized submission of an application for a Sauer Family Foundation grant in an amount up to $525,000 for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, and to execute the grant agreement. Dakota County was awarded $370,000 and an extension through June 30, 2027, from the Sauer Family Foundation.
The County plans to pair these monies with existing Community Service monies to fund the CRC Coordinating Agency services, including dollars to fund community navigation and to support a community advisory council. This contract will not exceed $582,620 over a two-year period.
A Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued for CRC Coordinating Agency services on May 1, 2025, and two responses were received. After a panel review and discussion, a joint proposal from Residents of Color Collective (ROCC) and The Improve Group Cooperative was selected to provide this service (Attachment: Solicitation Summary). Dakota County will contract with The Improve Group Cooperative, as the Agency Coordinator, and subcontract with ROCC to provide the Program Coordinator Services.
Staff recommends authorization to execute a contract with The Improve Group Cooperative (who will subcontract with ROCC) to provide CRC Coordinating Agency services in the amount up to $582,620 for the period of execution date through June 30, 2027.
OUTCOMES
The intended outcomes are as follows:
How Much?
Increased access to services and supports.
How Well?
Increased partnership with community agencies.
Increased resident satisfaction with available services and supports.
Is Anyone Better Off?
Increased protective factors for Dakota County residents.
Improved well-being for Dakota County residents.
Reduced disparity in outcomes for Dakota County residents.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to execute a contract with The Improve Group Cooperative to provide CRC Coordinating Agency services in the amount up to $582,620 for the period of execution date through June 30, 2027.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is sufficient budget for the contract in the 2025 Social Services Budget.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, county staff and community partners have been exploring the potential to develop Community Resource Centers (CRC), previously referred to as One-Stop Shops, in Dakota County for several years; and
WHEREAS, these centers would offer a comprehensive array of services and supports to meet people’s needs in community settings, with the goal of promoting family well-being and preventing involvement in child protection and other deep-end services; and
WHEREAS, the services and supports would be provided by a constellation of community organizations, hosted by community partners, with structural support from a Coordinating Agency; and
WHEREAS, the Sauer Family Foundation offered a grant application that was intended to support the county and community partners in implementing CRCs in Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-212 (April 23, 2024), the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorized submission of an application for a Sauer Family Foundation Grant in the amount up to $525,000 for the period of July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2026, and execution of the grant agreement; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County was awarded $370,000 and an extension through June 30, 2027, from the Sauer Family Foundation; and
WHEREAS, the County plans to pair these monies with existing Community Service monies to fund the CRC Coordinating Agency services, including dollars to fund community navigation and to support a community advisory council; and
WHEREAS, this contract will not exceed $582,620 over a two-year period; and
WHEREAS, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued for CRC Coordinating Agency services on May 1, 2025, and two responses were received; and
WHEREAS, after a panel review and discussion, a joint proposal from Residents of Color Collective (ROCC) and The Improve Group Cooperative was selected to provide this service; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County will contract with The Improve Group Cooperative, as the Agency Coordinator, and subcontract with ROCC to provide the Program Coordinator Services; and
WHEREAS, staff recommends authorization to execute a contract with The Improve Group Cooperative (who will subcontract with ROCC) to provide CRC Coordinating Agency services in the amount up to $582,620 for the period of execution date through June 30, 2027.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a contract with The Improve Group Cooperative in an amount not to exceed $582,620 for the period of execution date through June 30, 2027, 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
24-212; 04/23/24
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Solicitation Summary
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: Nikki Conway
Author: Jenny Douville