Item Description:
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Re-allocate $69,725 in State Fiscal Year 2026 Youth at Work funding from Lutheran Social Service to Brooklyn Park Economic Development Authority (Brooklynk)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that $69,725 in SFY26 Youth at Work funds allocated to Lutheran Social Service (LSS) be re-allocated to Brooklyn Park Economic Development Authority (Brooklynk) for the provision of services for the Youth at Work Program to eligible participants; that following review and approval by the County Attorney’s Office, the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed.
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Background:
Under Resolution 25-0119, Hennepin County is authorized to receive funds from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) during the period of January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2029 for the provision of services under WIOA Adult, Youth, Dislocated Worker, State Dislocated Worker, Minnesota Youth Program, and other appropriated funds received from the state government, including Youth at Work Competitive Grant funds (Master Grant Contract Agreement #HENNEPIN2025M).
The Youth at Work Competitive Grant, as authorized in Minnesota Statute 116L.562, provides workforce development and training opportunities to economically disadvantaged or at-risk youth ages 14-24. The Youth at Work Competitive Grant is administered by the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED). Hennepin County was awarded $300,000 in Youth at Work Competitive grant funds to support these activities during State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2026 and 2027.
Amendment 1 to Principal Agreement #HS00001645 with Brooklyn Park Economic Development Authority and Amendment 1 to Contract #HS00001999 with Lutheran Social Services allowed these organizations to accept Youth at Work Competitive Grant funds in order to carry out the required services under Minnesota Statute 116L.562. Per these amended contracts, LSS was allocated $69,725.00 and Brooklynk was allocated $48,400 in SFY26 Youth at Work funds to provide youth employment services for at-risk youth in Suburban Hennepin County.
The SFY26-27 Youth at Work grant builds upon existing property-tax funded youth employment services under the Department of Workforce Development. By braiding funding, LSS was able to deliver services via their existing youth employment services infrastructure, to efficiently deliver work experience, internships, and case management services for at-risk youth in Suburban Hennepin County. As of March 1, 2026, youth employment services funding leveraged in the Youth at Work program has been realigned to prioritize residents’ most essential needs.
To remain in compliance with DEED policies and to ensure SFY26 Youth at Work program funds are expended and planned services delivered in a timely manner, the $69,725 in SFY26 Youth at Work funds originally allocated to LSS should be re-allocated to Brooklynk. As a current contracted Minnesota Youth Program provider with Hennepin County, Brooklynk has the necessary infrastructure, staffing levels, and programmatic experience to provide five Suburban Hennepin County youth with work experience, internship, and case management services during the 2026 summer season. This reallocation will allow Hennepin County to achieve its programmatic outcomes without disruption in service delivery.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval