Item Description:
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Agmt PR00006130 with Wellness That Fits, LLC to provide mental health wellness services, continuing education, and on-call support to all Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office employees, 06/01/24-05/30/26, NTE $456,940
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement PR00006130 with Wellness That Fits, LLC, to provide mental health wellness services, continuing education, and on-call support services to all Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office employees during the period of June 1, 2024 through May 30, 2026, with a not to exceed amount of $456,940 be approved, that 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:
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) wants to help support the mental health of its staff. HCSO staff perform critical public services and so the availability of mental health supports is important, including effective, multi-discipline mental health resources to help address stressors.
The agreement with Wellness That Fits, LLC will provide the following mental health resources:
• On-Site Support - HCSO staff will have the opportunity to meet with therapists at a Hennepin County facility,
• Dedicated Phone Line - HCSO staff will have a dedicated phone number to call or text to schedule an appointment and or have the dedicated line for mental health response during and after a critical incident,
• Annual Wellness Check-ins- Licensed, Detention, and Telecommunicator HCSO employees will be allowed time and strongly encouraged to meet with therapists once a year to engage in wellness checks and resiliency opportunities,
• Critical Incident Response- Therapists will coordinate and lead debriefings after a critical incident,
• Individual Counseling Sessions- Will be made available to any staff in the HCSO in response to critical incidents,
• Peer Support Team Training- Mental Health First Aid and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training for up to 24 HCSO staff per year,
• Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Mandated Learning Objectives Training - ongoing - will cover a variety of topics to include Officer Wellness, Informed Policing, and Neurodiversity Training, and
• Consultation/Presentation/Meetings/Participation in Agency Activities- On a as needed basis, providers will attend meetings, HCSO activities and facilitate presentations to HCSO leadership.
A Request for Proposals was issued on November 29, 2023, and three proposals were received. Wellness That Fits, LLC was the highest rated vendor based on its cost, written submission, and interview. Staff believes that Wellness That Fits, LLC represents the best value to the county and recommends that it be awarded the contract.
The mission of the HCSO Tri Wellness unit is to support ALL staff in Mind, Body, and Spirit. By providing pro-active mental health support we can build a culture of resilient employees with broader skills to manage stress and trauma.
Wellness check-ins create an opportunity for staff to discuss strategies they may not have otherwise sought out, due to a variety of reasons, including potential stigma associated with seeking mental health care.
Wellness That Fits is an organization of locally based, culturally competent clinicians using evidence-based and trauma-informed treatments. Employee Assistance Programs are optional for employees to utilize, often with delayed response(s) and transference of care for any on-going treatment. By utilizing a local agency, with a network of clinicians, HCSO can better reach the end goal of proactively supporting and retaining a more resilient employee, which has a direct impact to the communities served.
Additionally, Wellness That Fits will provide statutorily mandated training for our Peer Support Team members, mandated training required for Peace Officer Standards and Training licensure, and guaranteed 24/7 critical incident response with the same therapists who will provide treatments and support.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: No Recommendation