DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Aging & Disability Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Accept Grant Funds From Minnesota Department Of Human Services For Workforce Shortage Efforts, Execute Grant Agreement, And Amend 2024 Social Services Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize acceptance of grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Human Services for Workforce Shortage efforts, execution of the grant agreement, and an amendment to the 2024 Social Services Budget.
SUMMARY
Dakota County created a time limited Workforce and Provider Shortage workgroup from November 2022 through June 2023 to work collaboratively with stakeholders to address the shortage of workers impacting people with disabilities. The workgroup was led by Commissioner Laurie Halverson and Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg along with Social Services Leadership and consisted of people with disabilities, their family members, state agency leaders and private sector leaders. The workgroup focused on learning about the impact the workforce shortage is having on people with disabilities through listening sessions, learning about what others are doing at a local and statewide level to address the workforce shortage, and brainstorming potential solutions that Dakota County could implement. As part of this work thirteen recommendations were identified and presented to the County Board in July 2023 and are included in the Attachment: Workforce Shortage Workgroup Recommendations Summary.
Dakota County’s 2024 legislative priorities included a request for a direct appropriation to support the implementation of these recommendations. During the 2024 legislative session the legislature approved MN Law Chapter 125; Article 8; Sec.2; Subd 14; paragraph b that awards Dakota County with the following: $500,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for a grant to Dakota County for innovative solutions to the disability services workforce shortage. Up to $250,000 of this amount must be used to develop and test an online application for matching requests for services from people with disabilities to available staff, and up to $250,000 of this amount must be used to develop a communities-for-all program that engages businesses, community organizations, neighbors, and informal support systems to promote community inclusion of people with disabilities. Staff anticipates this grant will be executed in 2024 and the funds will be immediately available.
OUTCOMES
How much?
The allocated $500,000 will support the Dakota County community by working to improve attitudes and access through multiple approaches.
How well?
Social Services will be partnering with many individuals, stakeholder groups, community businesses and organizations to roll out this work. In fall of 2026 Dakota County will be providing a final report on the outcomes and recommendations of the pilot projects to the Minnesota Department of Human Services Commissioner and the ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over Human Services Finance and Policy.
Is anyone better off?
People with disabilities, their families and caregivers, educational settings, community businesses and organizations, and residents will be impacted and lives improved. Communities for All will accomplish this in three main ways: training to partners on disability inclusion topics, microgrants for modifications and supplies and equipment, and technical assistance to address increasing accessibility and inclusion.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends that the Board of Commissioners authorizes acceptance of grant funds in the amount awarded, execution of the grant agreement, and an amendment to the 2024 Social Services Budget.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
There is a $0 net County cost anticipated as a result of this action. Authorization is requested to amend the 2024 Social Services Budget by $500,000 to reflect the revenues and expenses associated with the grant.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, Dakota County created a time limited Workforce and Provider Shortage workgroup from November 2022 through June 2023 to work collaboratively with stakeholders to address the shortage of workers impacting people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, the workgroup was led by Commissioner Laurie Halverson and Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg along with Social Services Leadership and consisted of people with disabilities, their family members, state agency leaders and private sector leaders; and
WHEREAS, the workgroup focused on learning about the impact the workforce shortage is having on people with disabilities through listening sessions, learning about what others are doing at a local and statewide level to address the workforce shortage, and brainstorming potential solutions that Dakota County could implement; and
WHEREAS, as part of this work thirteen recommendations were identified; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County’s 2024 legislative priorities included a request for a direct appropriation to support the implementation of these recommendations; and
WHEREAS, during the 2024 legislative session the legislature approved MN Law Chapter 125; Article 8; Sec.2; Subd 14; paragraph b that awards Dakota County with the following: $500,000 in fiscal year 2025 is for a grant to Dakota County for innovative solutions to the disability services workforce shortage; and
WHEREAS, up to $250,000 of this amount must be used to develop and test an online application for matching requests for services from people with disabilities to available staff and up to $250,000 of this amount must be used to develop a communities-for-all program that engages businesses, community organizations, neighbors, and informal support systems to promote community inclusion of people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, staff anticipates this grant will be executed in 2024 and the funds will be immediately available.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept the Minnesota Department of Human Services grant funds for a total amount up to $500,000 for Workforce Shortage efforts; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a grant agreement effective from date of execution 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; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby amends the 2024 Social Services Budget as follows:
|
Expense |
|
Program Expense |
$500,000 |
|
Total Expense |
$500,000 |
|
|
|
Revenue |
|
Workforce Shortage Grant |
$500,000 |
|
Total Revenue |
$500,000 |
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Workforce Shortage Workgroup Recommendations Summary
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☒ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☒ Excellence in Public Service
CONTACTS
Department Head: Emily Schug
Author: Megan Zeilinger