DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Nexus Family Healing For Safe Housing And Care For Youth
end
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Children and Families section in the Social Services Department and the Juvenile Corrections section in the Community Corrections Department require a vendor to provide services at a Dakota County owned facility, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, for youth who temporarily need a safe place to stay while service professionals (social workers, probation officers, local law enforcement, therapists and/or other applicable agencies) work on reunification or longer-term solutions for the family; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245A and Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0010 to 2960.0710 state the requirement to provide services and the framework by which to provide those services for youth aged 12-18; and
WHEREAS, Aspen House provides short-term housing for up to 90 days for up to 12 residents, ages 12-18; and
WHEREAS, the services and programming at Aspen House include family engagement, maintaining family and cultural connections, family therapy, transition planning, and psychoeducation; and
WHEREAS, educational services are provided on-site in partnership with Independent School District 197.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Manager, or delegate, to execute a contract with Nexus Family Healing for Youth Shelter Support Services in a not to exceed amount of up to $1,900,000 for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028, subject to approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.
end
BACKGROUND
Youth shelter support services are provided in a licensed Children's Residential Facility, known as Aspen House. They are defined in and are subject to the standards of Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 245A and Minnesota Rules, parts 2960.0010 to 2960.0710. Youth shelter support services provide a residential program offering short-term, time-limited placements of 90 days or less to residents who are in a behavioral or situational crisis and need out-of-home placement.
Nexus Family Healing has provided youth shelter support services for Dakota County since Aspen House opened in October 2022. A Request for Proposal (RFP) was originally released on June 9, 2021, and a second one on July 23, 2024, for youth shelter support services. Nexus Family Healing was selected. They have demonstrated their willingness and capability to provide youth shelter support services through their current collaboration with Dakota County and the RFP process. Staff has determined the need for three guaranteed bed days (one for Dakota County Community Corrections and two for Dakota County Social Services) at the per diem rate of $584.11 per day (a 14% increase over the 2026 rate). See Attachment: Nexus Family Healing Draft Contract.
Youth served in 2026, to date, by Nexus Family Healing at Aspen House:
• 35 from Dakota County
• Bed days used by Dakota County are 729 (421 from Social Services and 308 from Community Corrections)
• Average length of stay is 22 days for all youth; 18 days for Dakota County residents
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends the Dakota County Board of Commissioners authorizes a contract with Nexus Family Services for Youth Shelter Support Services in a not to exceed amount of up to $1,900,000 for the period of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028.
end
FINANCIAL AND STAFFING IMPACTS
Funding for this service will be included in the 2027 County Manager’s Social Services and Community Corrections Recommended Budget and will continue to be reflected in future year’s budgets through the duration of the contract.
|
Fund |
Department |
Program |
Funding Source |
2027 Recommended Budget |
|
General 101 |
Social Services 2090101 |
Foster Care 20900132 |
Levy |
4,000,000 |
|
General 101 |
Community Corrections 2130201 |
Juvenile Placements 21300232 |
Levy |
1,306,021 |
|
Total |
NA |
NA |
NA |
5,306,021 |
PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Nexus Family Healing Draft Contract
CONTACT
Department Director: Nikki Conway
Author: Suzanne Tuttle