DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Apply To Minnesota Department Of Children, Youth, And Families Request For Proposals To Implement And Expand Family First Prevention Services, Accept Grant Funds, Execute Grant Agreement And Related Contracts, And Amend 2026 Social Services Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize application to the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) request for proposals to implement and expand Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) supports, and if awarded, authorize acceptance of grant funds, execution of grant agreement and related contracts, and amend the 2026 Social Services Budget.
SUMMARY
FFPSA gives counties, Tribal Nations, and community-based organizations in Minnesota the opportunity to use state funding to support prevention of child welfare system involvement and foster care within their communities.
DCYF is seeking proposals to implement or expand prevention services. A prevention service is defined as service provided to families intended to prevent child welfare involvement and/or avoid out-of-home placement of a child or children. The service must fit under one of the following three service categories, as defined by title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse:
• Mental Health Prevention Programs and Services,
• Substance Use Prevention Services, and/or
• In-Home Parent Skill-Based Programs and Services.
Dakota County would propose to expand the Parent Support Outreach Program and offer the Kinship Navigator Program in community sites throughout Dakota County. The Parent Support Outreach Program is a voluntary prevention program that focuses on a family’s strengths and needs so young children and their parents can thrive. The Kinship Navigator Program supports relatives and close family friends who are supporting children that aren’t their own. Both programs are evidence-informed, lead to more equitable outcomes, provide early supports to keep kids safe and well with their families, are endorsed by families who have experience in our system, and have funding streams available beyond the grant term. Dakota County is exploring the opportunity to partner with local community organizations for this proposal.
The proposals for the FFPSA grant are due January 23, 2026 (Attachment: Request for Proposals). Dakota County will apply for a total of $800,000 for the period of March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
OUTCOMES
None.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to apply for FFPSA funds from DCYF in the amount of $800,000 for the period of March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, and if awarded, authorization to accept the grant funds in the amount awarded up to $800,000, execute the grant agreement and related contracts, and amend the 2026 Social Services Budget.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
If the grant is awarded, an amendment to the 2026 Social Services Department budget in an amount up to $800,000 will be completed.
☐ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☒ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) gives counties, Tribal Nations, and community-based organizations in Minnesota the opportunity to use state funding to support prevention of child welfare system involvement and foster care within their communities; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is seeking proposals to implement or expand prevention services; and
WHEREAS, a prevention service is defined as service provided to families intended to prevent child welfare involvement and/or avoid out-of-home placement of a child or children and the service must fit under one of the following three service categories, as defined by title IV-E Prevention Services Clearinghouse:
• Mental Health Prevention Programs and Services,
• Substance Use Prevention Services, and/or
• In-Home Parent Skill-Based Programs and Services
; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County would propose to expand the Parent Support Outreach Program and offer the Kinship Navigator Program in community sites throughout Dakota County; and
WHEREAS, the Parent Support Outreach Program is a voluntary prevention program that focuses on a family’s strengths and needs so young children and their parents can thrive; and
WHEREAS, the Kinship Navigator Program supports relatives and close family friends who are supporting children that aren’t their own; and
WHEREAS, both programs are evidence-informed, lead to more equitable outcomes, provide early supports to keep kids safe and well with their families, are endorsed by families who have experience in our system, and have funding streams available beyond the grant term; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County is exploring the opportunity to partner with local community organizations for this proposal; and
WHEREAS, the proposals for the FFPSA grant are due January 23, 2026, and Dakota County will apply for a total of $800,000 for the period of March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to apply for the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) funds from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYP) in the amount of $800,000 for the period of March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That, if awarded, The Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to accept the funds in an amount up to $800,000 for the period of March 1, 2026 through June 30, 2028, and execute the grant agreement and related contracts; 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 Community Services Director is hereby authorized to amend said contracts, consistent with the amount budgeted, to alter the contracts amount and the contracts 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 contracts shall contain a provision that allows the County to immediately terminate the contracts in the event sufficient funds from county, state, or federal sources are not appropriated at a level sufficient to allow payment of the amounts due; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That, if awarded, the 2026 Social Services Budget is hereby amended as follows:
Expense
Social Services Budget $800,000
Total Expense $800,000
Revenue
DCYP FFPSA Grant $800,000
Total Revenue $800,000
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Request for Proposals
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