Item Description:
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Agmt A2312011 with MN Dept of Human Services for Opioid Response Services for the HCH Program, funding period 10/01/23-09/29/24, $1,130,000 (recv), supp appr of $282,500 to the 2023 budget, adding 4 FTE
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Agreement A2312011 with Minnesota Department of Human Services Opioid Response Services for funding period October 1, 2023 through September 29, 2024, be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the amendment on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Human Services and Public Health Department’s staffing complement be increased by 4 full time equivalent (FTE) positions; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a supplemental appropriation of $282,500 be made to the Human Services and Public Health Department’s 2023 budget; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that acceptance of grant funding for the program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.
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Background:
Through resolution 21-0180 the Board accepted $481,739 receivable from the MN Department of Human Services (DHS) for the Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) Program. This funding was for the provision of Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) services to all persons experiencing homelessness and opioid addiction with specific outreach and retention services for American Indians experiencing homelessness and opioid addition. This agreement will allow for the HCH Program to add 4 additional staff to increase accessibility to the MOUD services for HCH and to continue the growth and development of this program.
Not only are substance use disorders unjustly distributed to American Indians, the fatality rate is also elevated. In 2019, American Indians were seven times more likely to die from a drug overdose than whites. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated the struggles of people with Opioid Use Disorder and has led the HCH Program’s MOUD team to mobilize and adapt services accordingly. HCH intends to improve outcomes through expanded care coordination and increased community provider capacity.
Grant funding makes it possible for HCH staff to continue work within the mobile outreach program’s on-demand treatment system meaning patients can receive services at multiple walk-in clinics without an appointment or be seen at shelter, street, and other locations as best for everyone. The HCH MOUD Program has a robust low-barrier approach locating and working with people who do not have identification, addresses or housing. The HCH MOUD program uses a harm reduction model of care and ensure people living with Opioid Use Disorder have harm reduction supplies ensuring safe use and overdose prevention.
This request reduces disparities in the health domain by targeting lifesaving medication and education to Native American residents and families who are disproportionately affected by the opioid epidemic and opioid use disorder.
APEX Coding
Fund: 20
Dept ID: 532099
Project ID: 1008484
Revenue Account: 42060
Expenditure Account: 50020
Amount: $282,500 (2023)
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval