Item Description:
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Joint Powers Agmts A2312127 with the City of Eden Prairie, A2312131 with the 7 Police Departments Consortium, A2312129 with the City of Hopkins, A2312130 with the City of Edina, to continue services of the Hennepin County Embedded Social Worker Program, 01/01/24-12/31/25
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Joint Powers Agreements A2312127 with the City of Eden Prairie, A2312131 with the 7 Police Departments Consortium including South Lake, Orono, Deephaven, Wayzata, Minnetrista, Medina, Corcoran, A2312129 with the City of Hopkins, A2312130 with the City of Edina, to enhance the coordination between local police departments and the Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD) associated with the Embedded Social Worker Program for the period of January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025 be approved; and that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Joint Powers Agreements on behalf of the county.
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Background:
In 2019, six suburban cities (Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Plymouth, and St. Louis Park) partnered with Hennepin County's Behavioral Health Area to launch a new kind of response to mental health-related calls by embedding social workers in their police departments. This systematic and layered approach allows for a tailored assessment and response for residents who engage law enforcement because of mental health and substance use needs. As of 2023, all police departments in Hennepin County had access to an embedded social worker. These programs leverage grants, billing, property taxes, and a cost share with police departments to finance the costs.
Through the program, Embedded Social Workers respond to referrals and offer support, assessments, and connections to community services. The goal of the program is to reduce criminal justice system involvement and create timely access to social services. The integration of social workers into emergency response reduces unnecessary law enforce...
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