DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Accept Grant Funds From Minnesota Department Of Health For Response Sustainability Grant, Execute Grant Agreement, Add 1.0 Grant-Funded Full-Time Equivalent, And Amend 2024 Public Health Budget
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize acceptance of the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) Response Sustainability grant funds, execution of grant agreement, addition of 1.0 grant-funded full-time equivalent (FTE) for Emergency Preparedness Specialist position, and amendment to 2024 Public Health Budget.
SUMMARY
The Dakota County Board of Commissioners acts as the Community Health Board and is responsible for preventing disease and promoting and protecting the public health of Dakota County residents. Public Health provides programs and services that aim to create and sustain a healthy community for all in Dakota County. Per MDH, one of the foundational capabilities of any Public Health department is Emergency Preparedness and Response.
In 2023, the Minnesota State Legislature created ongoing and sustainable state funding through the legislative process to increase preparedness and response capacity and capability across all Public Health departments in Minnesota. Funding is to be administered by MDH and is allocated to local public health agencies through an annual formula-based grant. This grant aims to ensure that local Public Health is better prepared to respond to and recover from Public Health emergencies and to encourage cross-jurisdictional collaboration.
Public Health plans to utilize this grant to:
* Ensure workforce capacity to meet emergency preparedness and response priorities, including adding a 1.0 Emergency Preparedness Specialist position.
* Partner and train with other teams and departments internally to ensure continued readiness to respond to emergencies.
* Work with community partners and cities to ensure strong collaboration and situational awareness in emergen...
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