DEPARTMENT: Social Services
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
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Authorization To Amend 2022 Social Services Budget And Add 1.0 Full-Time Equivalent Social Worker Position
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PURPOSE/ACTION REQUESTED
Authorize an amendment to the 2022 Social Services Budget and addition of a 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) social worker position.
SUMMARY
State funding for adult protection services, in the amount of three (3) million dollars is allocated annually to support the county's duties for protective services and investigation services under Minnesota Statutes, section 626.557 for reports of suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults received from the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC). Allocations are administered under Minn. Stat. ? 256M.40, Vulnerable Adult Act Children's and Adults Act (VCAA) formula. The annual allocation is made on a formula basis. Dakota County's State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2022 Adult Protective Services (APS) allocation under Minn. Stat. ? 256M.40 is $184,912. Dakota County is required to spend the allocation on APS.
Adult protection allocation funds must be used for APS staffing, program costs, or service interventions. Funds must not be used to supplant current APS staffing or expenditures. If SFY funds are unspent, they must be spent for expanding adult protection services in the next SFY. These funds must be dedicated to adult protection activities and not revert to the county general fund as excess balance or reduce the county general fund investment.
To respond to an increased volume and complexity of reports and changes in DHS guidance on responding to reports, particularly related to caregiver and self-neglect, staff proposes adding a 1.0 FTE social worker position dedicated to following up on reports of caregiver neglect. See Attachment: Adult Protection Trends, for details. Staff recommends using the remainder of allocation dollars for the purchase of services to support addressing short-term protective service needs. Uns...
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