Dakota County

Community Services Committee of

the Whole

Minutes

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

1:00 PM

Conference Room 3A, Administration

Center, Hastings

Commissioner Slavik, Commissioner Atkins, Chairperson Halverson,

Commissioner Droste, Commissioner Workman, Commissioner

Holberg and Commissioner Hamann-Roland

Present:

Also in attendance were Heidi Welsch, County Manager; Lucie O'Neill, Assistant County

Attorney; Marti Fischbach, Community Services Division Director; and Colleen Collette,

Administrative Coordinator.

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. by the Chair, Commissioner Laurie Halverson.

The audio of this meeting is available upon request.

Audience

Chair, Commissioner Laurie Halverson, asked if there was anyone in the audience who

wished to address the Community Services Committee on an item not on the agenda or an

item on the consent agenda. No one came forward and no comments were submitted to

CountyAdmin@co.dakota.mn.us.

Approval of Agenda (Additions/Corrections/Deletions)

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

3.1

Second: Liz Workman

On a motion by Commissioner Hamann-Roland, seconded by Commissioner

Workman, the agenda was unanimously approved. The motion carried

unanimously.

Ayes: 7

Consent Agenda

Motion: Liz Workman

Second: Mike Slavik

On a motion by Commissioner Workman, seconded by Commissioner Slavik, the consent

agenda was unanimously approved as follows:

Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on April 15, 2025

4.1

Motion: Liz Workman

Second: Mike Slavik

Regular Agenda

Proclamation Of May As Mental Health Month

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

5.1

Second: Joe Atkins

The following staff from Public Health presented on this item and stood for

questions: Alex Groten, Supervisor; Kassy Podvin, Health Promotions Specialist;

Natalie Visilj, Program Coordinator.

WHEREAS, May is National Mental Health Month; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness and the Center

for Disease Control:

· One in five United States (U.S.) adults experience mental illness

· One in twenty U.S. adults experience serious mental illness

· 50 percent of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75 percent

by age 24

· In 2024, 1 in 5 employees in the U.S. reported experiencing burnout, with

mental health problems being one of the key contributors. (nami.org)

· 1 in 5 children aged 3-17 in the U.S. have a mental health condition, with

ADHD, anxiety, and depression being the most common diagnoses

; and

WHEREAS, mental health is an important determinant of overall health and

well-being for individuals; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic, along with compounding community

trauma, continues to have a significant impact on adult and child mental health,

particularly for people with pre-existing mental illness and Substance Use

Disorder (SUD), and for communities of color; and

WHEREAS, many residents are struggling with the long-term impacts of illness,

loss of loved ones, social isolation, job loss, changes in routines, racism or other

forms of discrimination, and community trauma, resulting in many who are

experiencing unprecedented levels of fear, anxiety, and stress; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County has maintained a focus on connecting people to

community mental health and SUD services, promoting mental health

messaging and initiatives, addressing service needs and gaps through

community partnerships, training, and engaging the perspective and voice of

people with lived experience; and

WHEREAS, this includes providing community members with practical tools they

can use to improve their mental health and increase resiliency; and

WHEREAS, prevention is an effective strategy to reduce the impact of mental

health conditions and, with effective treatment, those individuals with mental

health conditions can recover and lead full, productive lives; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County has a network of mental health services and

initiatives that provide mental health support and promote mental health

awareness and education; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County staff, in partnership with other organizations, are

committed to building public awareness and addressing stigma as important

steps in supporting people to access treatment and support; and

WHEREAS, promoting mental health and awareness of resources and support

is especially important given the impacts of the pandemic and community

trauma on mental health and well-being; and

WHEREAS, staff recommends that the Dakota County Board of Commissioners

proclaim May as Mental Health Month in Dakota County.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby proclaims May 2025 as Mental Health Month in Dakota

County and supports efforts to promote mental health awareness, training,

education, and access to information, services, and supports to serve the mental

health needs of the citizens of Dakota County.

This item was approved and recommended for action by the Board of

Commissioners on 5/20/2025.

Ayes: 7

Update On Medical Assistance And MnCHOICES

5.2

Tiffinie Miller-Sammons, Employment and Economic Assistance Deputy Director

and Katherine Kreager-Pieper, Social Services Deputy Director, presented on

this item and stood for questions.

Information only; no action requested.

Community Services Director's Report

Marti Fischbach, Community Services Division Director, referred the Committee to the written

report that was provided. Director Fischbach also gave a brief update on lease negotiations

for Emergency Shelter.

Future Agenda Items

The Commissioners requested a discussion at the next General Government and Policy

Committee of the Whole meeting to develop a response to a letter they received from

Providers of Assisted Living and Nursing Facility Services.

Adjournment

Motion: Joe Atkins

8.1

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

On a motion by Commissioner Joe Atkins, seconded by Commissioner Mary

Hamann-Roland, the meeting was adjourned at 2:24 p.m.