DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Contract With Power Of Partnership, Inc., dba SafeGenerations, For Children And Family Practice Model And Workplace Belonging Services
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize execution of a contract with Power of Partnership, Inc., doing business as (dba) SafeGenerations, to provide practice model and workplace belonging services for Dakota County Children and Family Services.
SUMMARY
The Minnesota Legislature established the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (“the Act”) within Minn. Stat. §§ 260.61 to 260.693 with the intent of reforming child protection policies and practices to eliminate long-standing racial disparities and poor outcomes for children and families of color. Although the legislation was enacted in 2024, the statewide effective date that applies to Dakota County is January 1, 2027.
A few key provisions of the Act include:
• Requiring responsible social service agencies to provide active efforts to prevent out-of-home placement and reunify families, and to implement safety plans with specific parameters to allow children to remain in their home in most cases for all children to whom the Act applies; and
• Limiting the use of emergency removals, foster care placements and terminations of parental rights to better ensure children are not unnecessarily removed from their homes either temporarily or permanently; and
• Requiring cultural competency training for case workers, supervisors, judges, guardians ad litem and attorneys working in the child welfare system.
Dakota County Children and Family Services (CFS) released a Request for Proposal on January 23, 2026, to contract for the provision of planning, training, coaching and program development services to enact a comprehensive, culturally responsive, strengths-based child welfare practice model that:
• Includes a child safety decision-making framework; and
• Develops a workplace culture that creates meaningful belonging for all staff.
Staff reviewed and evaluated each workplan and budget proposal and selected Power of Partnership Inc., dba SafeGenerations, to provide the service beginning the date of contract execution through December 31, 2027, in a not to exceed amount of $500,000 (Attachment: Solicitation Summary).
OUTCOMES
Outcome measures will be established in the contract with the successful vendor after the work plan has been established. At a minimum, the following outcomes will be measured.
How much? Outcomes related to the development of culturally relevant, family-driven safety plans in compliance with the Act will be developed with the successful vendor.
How well? Outcomes related to the development of culturally relevant, family-driven safety plans in compliance with the Act will be developed with the successful vendor.
Is anyone better off? Over time after the model is developed, trained and implemented, we will measure the reduction of out-of-home placements with a 10 percent reduction goal.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Staff recommends a contract be executed with Power of Partnership Inc., dba SafeGenerations, to provide practice model and workplace belonging services for CFS beginning the date of contract execution through December 31, 2027, in a not to exceed amount of $500,000.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
The cost of this contract is included in the 2026 Social Services Budget in the General Fund and will be paid for using levy.
☐ None ☒ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Legislature established the Minnesota African American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act (the Act) within Minn. Stat. §§ 260.61 to 260.693 with the intent of reforming child protection policies and practices to eliminate long-standing racial disparities and poor outcomes for children and families of color; and
WHEREAS, although the legislation was enacted in 2024, the statewide effective date that applies to Dakota County is January 1, 2027; and
WHEREAS, a few key provisions of the Act include:
• Requiring responsible social service agencies to provide active efforts to prevent out-of-home placement and reunify families, and to implement safety plans with specific parameters to allow children to remain in their home in most cases for all children to whom the Act applies; and
• Limiting the use of emergency removals, foster care placements and terminations of parental rights to better ensure children are not unnecessarily removed from their homes either temporarily or permanently; and
• Requiring cultural competency training for case workers, supervisors, judges, guardians ad litem and attorneys working in the child welfare system
; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County Children and Family Services released a Request for Proposal on January 23, 2026, to contract for the provision of planning, training, coaching and program development services to enact a comprehensive, culturally responsive, strengths-based child welfare practice model that:
• Includes a child safety decision-making framework; and
• Develops a workplace culture that creates meaningful belonging for all staff
; and
WHEREAS, staff reviewed and evaluated each workplan and budget proposal and selected Power of Partnership Inc., dba SafeGenerations, to provide the service beginning the date of contract execution through December 31, 2027, in a not to exceed amount of $500,000.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes an Assistant County Manager, Community Services, to execute a contract with Power of Partnership Inc., dba SafeGenerations, for practice model and workplace belonging services for Dakota County Children and Family Services in a not to exceed amount of $500,000 beginning the date of execution through December 31, 2027, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Assistant County Manager, Community Services, 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(s) due.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Solicitation Summary
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: Michelle Jensen