Item Description:
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Authorization to receive funds from MN Dept of Human Services to support efforts related to the development and/or expansion of prevention services during the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA), 01/01/24-12/31/24; supp appr of $1,059,698 and 5 FTEs to 2024 HSPH budget
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners authorizes acceptance of a formula allocation from the State of Minnesota Department of Human Services to support efforts related to the development and/or expansion of prevention services during the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act during the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, in the receivable amount of $1,059,698 be approved, and that the Controller be authorized to disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a supplemental appropriation of $1,059,698 and 5 FTEs be added to the 2024 Human Services and Public Health budget; and
BE IT FURHTER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of this funding for this program by Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when funds are no longer available.
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Background:
Hennepin County Children and Family Services (CFS) has received funds from the MN Department of Human Services for a new allocation to support efforts related to the development and/or expansion of prevention services related to the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA). The Prevention Services allocation can be used to support local welfare agency activities to develop and implement prevention services identified in, or related to and within, Minnesota’s Title IV-E Prevention Services five-year plan.
Funds are intended for children who remain with their families, or upon return to their family, including:
• Prevention of entry into the child welfare system.
• Prevention of further involvement with the child welfare system.
• Family preservation (supports necessary to maintain children within their families).
CFS has allocated the funds to the following services and programs:
• 4 new FTEs in the Prevention Services Unit to provide voluntary services to referred families with children 17 years and younger that request assistance with daily living needs to prevent escalation of needs to Child Protection system.
• Flexible funds for families served by the Prevention Unit to help stabilize their environment.
• Developing a Cultural Broker Family Advocate Program in Hennepin County to assist BIPOC families in navigating the complex child protection system and reducing deep end services in child protection.
• 1 new FTE in the 24-Hour Response Unit to work with Hennepin County agencies to address child abuse reporting, which is the area within child welfare that depicts the greatest disproportionality and disparity of BIPOC families.
• The use of Care Portal to meet basic needs of families, prioritizing BIPOC families in the Prevention area.
• Incentive kinship funds for families that are taking placement of their relatives or kin’s children to get licensed more quickly, which predominately involves families of color.
This action supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by providing outreach and services to under-served and over-represented communities of color and prioritizing providers that serve that population, working to prevent entry into the child welfare system and to reduce deep end involvement for those BIPOC families in the child protection system.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval