Item Description:
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Agmt A2512763 with the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to accept grant to increase access and improve outcomes for Hennepin County persons with substance use disorder, 10/01/24-09/30/27, $1,600,000 (recv)
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Administrator be authorized to negotiate Agreement A2512763 with the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) to accept the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Proposal (COSSUP) grant to increase access and improve outcomes for Hennepin County persons with substance use disorder, during the period of October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2027, in the receivable amount of $1,600,000; 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 Hennepin County; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Health Administration department 2025 revenue and expenditure budget be increased by $402,740 for a scope of activities through COSSUP contract A2512763 with the Office of Justice Programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Sheriff’s Office department 2025 revenue and expenditure budget be increased by $144,302 and 1.0 FTE position for a scope of activities through COSSUP contract A2512763 with the Office of Justice Programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program if grant funds become no longer available.
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Background:
Hennepin County, with Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Use Proposal (COSSUP) funding, has three goals: 1) to increase access to Opioid Use Care (OUC) treatment options for jail-detained individuals, 2) increase housing stability for American Indian residents in need of OUC and, 3) an overall reduction in opioid overdose-related deaths by increasing distribution of Naloxone. The goals and activities selected target specific gaps within the county’s existing opioid response, while enhancing current successful data driven practices.
In 2023, 373 Hennepin County residents died from an opioid overdose. This is a 1% decrease from 2022. Of the 373 deaths, 94% included fentanyl, up from 65% in 2018. The burden of this epidemic falls disproportionately on our American Indian and African American populations. For example, American Indian residents continue to experience the highest disparity in opioid-related deaths and were 23 times more likely to die from an opioid-related overdose than White residents in 2023. In 2023, African American opioid-related deaths were higher than all other races. Opioid-related deaths of African American residents increased by more than 15% from 2022 (129 deaths) to 2023 (148 deaths). (https://www.hennepin.us/opioid)
To increase access to OUC for jail-detained individuals, Hennepin County will hire a dedicated Sheriff’s deputy to remove the barrier of transportation and escort shortages that are preventing detainees from receiving and attending such treatment.
To increase housing stability for American Indian residents in need of OUC, Hennepin County will subcontract with the Indigenous People’s Task Force to hire a dedicated 0.5 FTE housing navigator to assist an additional 472 American Indian participants, in a three-tiered approach that will elevate current services to gain housing stability while seeking OUC.
Finally, Hennepin County will seek an overall reduction in opioid overdose-related deaths by increasing distribution of Naloxone. Evaluating current levels and sources of distribution, identifying gaps in the network that would most impact African American and American Indian residents, and providing training and technical assistance will support new providers and distributors to these populations.
This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by meaningfully advancing equity and removing barriers to accessing services for African American and American Indian communities, who have been historically underserved and disproportionately impacted by opioid use. The disparity reduction domains addressed are housing, health, and justice.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval