Item Description:
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Amds to four Agmts with local agencies to provide youth diversion services to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, ext end dates 12/31/27 and incr combined NTE from $1,374,000 to $2,104,000
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendments to the following Agreements to provide youth diversion services to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) extending the contract end dates to December 31, 2027 and increasing the combined not-to-exceed amounts from $1,374,000 to $2,104,000 be approved as follows:
• HS00001993 Center for Multicultural Mediation, Amendment 1 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $90,000 to $140,000
• HS00001995 Legal Rights Center Inc., Amendment 1 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $294,000 to $509,000
• HS00001996 The Link, Amendment 1 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $450,000 to $805,000
• HS00001997 NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center Inc., Amendment 1 increasing the not-to-exceed amount from $300,000 to $650,000
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the total combined funding for all four contracts shall not exceed $2,104,000; that the department will manage the contract expenditures with this funding allocation; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreements on behalf of the County; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Youth ages 13-17 may be referred to diversion services if they have a case submitted by law enforcement for consideration of juvenile delinquency charges and who meet Hennepin County Attorney’s Office (HCAO) diversion eligibility criteria. Youth under age 13 may be referred by HSPHD, facilitated through HCAO, after law enforcement has submitted a “U13 Referral” (i.e., children who have engaged in delinquent behavior but are under the age of delinquency jurisdiction). Other system partners, such as law enforcement or schools, may also make referrals to HCAO diversion services upon approval.
The Link serves as the primary provider for HCAO diversion referrals. The Link provides case management and diversion services including initial screening and assessment, and the development and monitoring of a diversion agreement (case plan). Diversion agreements are narrowly tailored to the youth and family’s specific needs. The Link makes appropriate referrals to community-based programming. The Link has a restorative focus that includes community service, letters of reflection and payment of restitution to victims, where applicable.
The Center for Multicultural Mediation (CMM) provides culturally specific diversion services to youth and families who identify as East African. CMM provides programming primarily for youth ages 13-17 that meet the HCAO diversion eligibility criteria. Diversion services include initial screening and assessment, and the development and monitoring of a diversion agreement (case plan). Diversion agreements may include counseling, family mediation, conflict resolution, restorative justice circles, training/education on US law, and referrals for therapy or mental health services.
The Legal Rights Center, Inc. acts as the lead agency and fiscal agent for the Juvenile Restorative Justice Collaboration (JRJC), which is made up of non-profit juvenile restorative justice providers, including Community Mediation and Restorative Services (CMRS) and Restorative Justice Community Action (RJCA). The JRJC members provide restorative justice programming for youth ages 10-17. Diversion services include restorative decision-making processes, restorative dialogues, healing circles, community reparative panels, family group conferences, individual accountability planning, outreach to crime victims, and community-directed service projects.
North Point provides direct diversion services to youth ages 13-17 that meet the HCAO diversion eligibility criteria. The program has been funded by a federal grant and has proven successful at meeting the higher level of needs of referred youth and their families. NorthPoint focuses on behavioral health services, such as individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. NorthPoint’s diversion services also include case management, youth mentorship, family support services, and culturally specific programming for youth and families who identify as African American. NorthPoint will also make referrals to community partners for healing circles and community-based services.
This request funds services that are: both mandated and core services
recommendation
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