DEPARTMENT: Social Services-Children & Family Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Accept Minnesota Department Of Human Services Children’s Mental Health Screening Grant Funds And Execute Grant Agreement
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RESOLUTION
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WHEREAS, in 2003, the Minnesota Legislature added mental health screening requirements to Minnesota Statutes to include children's mental health screening for specific Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice populations; and
WHEREAS, the purpose of the children's mental health screening within the child welfare and juvenile justice populations is to integrate mental health into current practices and to promote earlier mental health identification and intervention; and
WHEREAS, early identification of mental illness followed by the appropriate intervention and treatment may prevent years of disability and provide improved outcomes for children and their families; and
WHEREAS, focusing on these at-risk populations, and particularly the uninsured and underinsured, grant funding can provide mental health treatment for children who would not otherwise receive these services; and
WHEREAS, children's mental health screenings facilitate referral of children for further testing and treatment using standardized effective mental health screening instruments; and
WHEREAS, the breakdown of the total $413,911 grant allocation is as follows:
Child Welfare $123,319
Juvenile Justice $290,592
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WHEREAS, staff recommends the County Board authorizes acceptance of the grant funds in the amount of $413,911 and execution of the grant agreement for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
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 Children's Mental Health Screening grant award of $413,911 and execute a grant agreement for the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025, 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.
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