DEPARTMENT: Social Services
FILE TYPE: Regular Information
TITLE
title
Update On Children And Family Services, Including Impacts Of Service Provider Capacity Challenges
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Receive an update on Children and Family Services programs, including current impacts of service provider capacity challenges on County operations.
SUMMARY
Dakota County’s child protection system responds to allegations of maltreatment and supports families to safely care for their children. Counties and tribes have several responsibilities regarding reports of suspected child maltreatment and exploitation which are found in Minn. Stat. §626.556. In 2021 Dakota County Social Services screened 4,730 reports of child maltreatment, with 1,527 (32%) reports meeting criteria for a follow up assessment.
Dakota County’s Children and Family Services provides a range of services to protect children from maltreatment and promote family well-being, including Maltreatment Screening, Child Protection Assessment and Case Management, Parent Support Outreach for screened out maltreatment reports, Truancy, and Children’s Mental Health Assessment and Case Management. In total, Dakota County served 4,575 (unduplicated) children through these programs in 2021 (Attachment: Program Services Overview).
Staff will provide an update on Children and Family Services, including service trends and recent state and federal policy changes. Staff will also provide additional details on operational impacts of service provider capacity within Children and Family Services as a follow up to the July 12, 2022, Community Services Committee of the Whole meeting, including potential strategies to address challenges for Board feedback.
RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Information only; no action requested.
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EXPLANATION OF FISCAL/FTE IMPACTS
None.
☒ None ☐ Current budget ☐ Other
☐ Amendment Requested ☐ New FTE(s) requested
RESOLUTION
body
Information only; no action requested.
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PREVIOUS BOARD ACTION
None.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment: Program Services Overview
BOARD GOALS
☒ A Great Place to Live ☐ A Healthy Environment
☐ A Successful Place for Business and Jobs ☐ Excellence in Public Service
PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT LEVEL
☐ Inform and Listen ☐ Discuss ☐ Involve ☒ N/A
CONTACTS
Department Head: Evan Henspeter
Author: Suzanne Tuttle