DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Mental Health & Substance Use Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements With Dakota County Law Enforcement Agencies For Social Services Embedded Social Worker Program
end
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, for many years Dakota County and cities have been working together to develop partnerships and new models of response to a mental health crisis that promotes safe, healthy communities and people receiving the right services at the right time; and
WHEREAS, partnerships have expanded to include co-location of mobile crisis services; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 20-449 (September 22, 2020), the County Board of Commissioners approved entering into joint powers agreements (JPA)s and Management Control Agreements (MCA) that outlined partnership roles and responsibilities of the Embedded Social Worker Pilot; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 21-618 (December 14, 2021), the County Board of Commissioners approved using American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars to expand the Embedded Social Worker Model to all Dakota County cities; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 22-164 (April 12, 2022), the County Board of Commissioners approved to continue the expansion of the Embedded Social Worker Model to interested Dakota County cities; and
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-472 (September 24, 2024), the County Board of Commissioners approved renewing JPAs and Management Control Agreements (MCA) with existing cities and the Dakota County Sheriff's Department using American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund dollars; and
WHEREAS, the current JPAs are expiring and with the depletion of ARP funding, Dakota County proposed a cost sharing model to cities and there were 5 cities that elected to enter into the new cost sharing model with subsequent JPAs and MCAs.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute joint powers agreements and not to exceed amounts with the Cities of Eagan, Hastings, Lakeville, South Saint Paul, and West Saint Paul (“cities”) effective January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027 (“Term”), including related Management Control Agreements (“MCA”) with the cities and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office for the Term, subject to approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.
end
BACKGROUND
The embedded social worker pilot launched in 2019 as an innovative partnership aimed at providing a more effective, coordinated response to residents whose use of emergency services may indicate a need for a more integrated response from law enforcement and social services.
Dakota County’s mental health crisis services continuum, which includes the Embedded Social Worker model, was recognized with achievement awards from the Minnesota Association of Counties (2023) and the National Association of Counties (2024).
In June of 2026, Dakota County was awarded a grant of $299,999.99 for a grant period around August 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028, and by Resolution No. 26-324 (August 4, 2026), the County Board of Commissioners approved acceptance of grant funds and to execute contracts with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and Office of Justice Programs (OJP). By Resolution No. 26-274 (June 23, 2026), the County Board of Commissioners approved an additional Office of Justice Programs grant, which staff are waiting for the outcome of that grant funding. OJP grants are listed in the funding chart in the Financial and Staffing Impacts section.
As of 2026, there are nine cities throughout Dakota County, and eight total full-time equivalent (FTE) embedded social workers. Current funding for 2026 is a combination of ARP, levy, fund balance, and grant funding.
The 2027 FTE Planning Base includes 6 FTE embedded social workers with a 50/50 city cost share. Subsequent joint powers agreements (JPA) for the participating cities were created with input from county law enforcement partners (Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement). As a part of the JPA, the Management Control Agreement is also required to perform the duties of the embedded social work position (Attachment: Management Control Agreement).
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends authorization to renew JPAs with Dakota County city law enforcement agencies for Social Services Public Safety Embedded Social Worker Partnerships and associated MCAs.
end
FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
The JPAs will be included in the 2027 County Manager’s Recommended Budget. The 50% cost share for the participating cities is the actual FTE cost of the embedded social worker position. The County’s percentage includes the 50% actual cost and additional overhead of program costs. The revenue from medical billing and grants will be deducted from the county’s responsibility. Under the JPA, Dakota County may receive up to $360,042 in revenue from cities. No additional staffing is anticipated as a result of this agreement.
|
Fund Source |
2026 Adopted Budget |
2026 Amended Budget |
2027 Recommended Budget |
|
Levy |
$270,046 |
$270,046 |
$277,855 |
|
ARP |
$675,042 |
$389,009 |
$0 |
|
SSTS/Billing Revenue |
$160,000 |
$160,000 |
$120,000 |
|
JPA Revenue |
$0 |
$0 |
$360,042 |
|
Crisis Intervention Grant |
$0 |
$200,000 |
$108,910 |
|
General Fund - Fund Balance |
$0 |
$86,033 |
$0 |
|
Total |
$1,105,088 |
$1,105,088 |
$866,807 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
FTEs |
8.0 |
8.0 |
6.0 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
20-449; 9/22/20
21-618;12/14/21
22-164; 4/12/22
24-472; 9/24/24
26-089; 3/3/26
26-274; 6/23/26
26-294; 7/7/26
26-324; 8/4/26
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Joint Powers Agreement
Attachment: Management Control Agreement
CONTACT
Department Director: Emily Schug
Author: Ericka Hammer