Item Description:
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Joint Powers Agmts A2311578 with the West Hennepin Public Safety and A2311577 with the City of Osseo, to expand services of the Hennepin County 911 Embedded Social Worker Program, 03/01/23-12/31/24
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Resolution:
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BE IT RESOLVED, that Joint Powers Agreements A2311578 with the West Hennepin Public Safety and A2311577 with the City of Osseo to enhance the coordination between local police departments and the Human Services and Public Health Department (HSPHD) associated with the 911 Embedded Social Worker Program for the period of March 1, 2023 through December 31, 2024 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 in the field: embedding social workers in their police departments. This systematic and layered approach allows for a tailored assessment and response for people calling because of mental health and substance use issues. The 911 and Police Embedded Social Worker Program expanded to nine additional municipalities in 2021 and further expanded to another 12 municipalities in 2022. The Department requests approval for Joint Powers Agreements to expand access to the 911 Embedded Social Worker Program to the West Hennepin Public Safety and the City of Osseo.
Through the program, Embedded Social Workers receive referrals from the municipal law enforcement agencies regarding individuals who appear to have mental health, substance use, or other issues. Embedded Social Workers will 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 res...
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