Item Description:
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Authorize withdrawal from Joint Powers Agmt A166677 between Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, and Minneapolis School District No. 1, for Youth Curfew/Truancy Services, effective January 1, 2026
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners withdraws Hennepin County from the Joint Powers Agreement A166677 between Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, and Minneapolis School District No. 1, for Youth Curfew/Truancy Services, effective January 1, 2026; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Hennepin County Commissioners directs the County Administrator to take all steps necessary to make the County’s withdrawal effective pursuant to the terms of the Joint Powers Agreement A166677 for Youth Curfew/Truancy Services.
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Background:
In 2017, Hennepin County entered into a Joint Powers Agreement for Youth Curfew/Truancy Services, A166677 (“JPA”), with the City of Minneapolis and Minneapolis School District No. 1, to provide curfew, truancy and low-level offense services for the operation of a Hennepin County Juvenile Supervision Center, later known as the Youth Connection Center (“YCC”). Each party to the JPA committed to provide contributions to the successful operation of the YCC and establish a partnership for the management of youth curfew and truancy services.
Since opening in 2018, the YCC, operated by community provider The Link, has provided voluntary services and supervision for youth who come into contact with law enforcement. A Joint Powers Board, made up of the three members of the JPA, has provided management oversight. In 2024, citing budgetary constraints, Minneapolis School District No. 1 withdrew from the JPA.
Changing Needs and New Model
In response to post-pandemic changes in use of the YCC by law enforcement, as well changing needs of youth, Hennepin County staff held a series of community listening sessions and led discussions amongst stakeholders about the services that would best meet the needs of youth and community. These discussions led to the development of a new model that will have an expanded focus to continue to offer a space for law enforcement to bring youth for referral to services and connection to a safe space, as well as to allow families and youth to walk-in for assessments, referrals and connections to resources in the community.
As part of redesign of the YCC model, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County will continue to partner but with a new structure that will allow for more nimble management and oversight. Under the new structure, Hennepin County’s Safe Communities will oversee a Request for Proposals (RFP) process to select a community provider to implement the services starting January 1, 2026. Safe Communities will then oversee the contract’s management and will seek input and guidance from the existing stakeholder workgroup.
The City of Minneapolis, through an existing Memorandum of Understanding with the County, will continue to provide the physical space. Starting in Fall 2026, upon its completion, the physical space will be at the Minneapolis South Safety Center on Minnehaha Avenue. The emphasis of the new YCC will be on connecting young people to existing resources in the community, particularly those that are culturally responsive, and that include the youths’ families in the process. Potential referral resources will include mental and behavioral health services, substance use treatment, truancy supports, youth programming and workforce development opportunities.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval