Sponsor: Social Services
Title
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Grant Agreement with Department of Human Services for Early Interventions Prevent Civil Commitment
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Recommendation
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1. Ratify the submittal of the grant application to the Department of Human Services for culturally responsive early interventions to prevent an individual from meeting criteria for civil commitment and to promote positive outcomes for individuals living with mental illness.
2. Accept a grant award and approve a grant agreement with the Department of Human Services for Early Interventions to Prevent Civil Commitment for the period of July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, in the amount of $367,200.
3. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
4. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to agreements in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provided the amounts are within the limits of the grant funding.
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Background and Rationale
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Recognizing the critical intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system, Ramsey County Social Services has partnered with the Sheriff’s Office to provide comprehensive mental health services within the Adult Detention Center (ADC).
In 2023 alone, 23% of individuals admitted to the ADC were referred for mental health support, underscoring the urgent and growing demand for care. The mental health team has worked diligently to meet this need, but high rates of mental health crises, suicide assessments, and recidivism among those with behavioral health conditions illustrate the magnitude of the challenge.
Proposed services within the ADC will expand services through three primary objectives:
1. Enhance coordination and access to community-based treatment to reduce civil commitments and hospitalizations.
2. Expand psychiatric and therapeutic services within the ADC to improve diagnosis, care, and continuity.
3. Establish reliable transportation services to ensure individuals can successfully transition to treatment facilities upon release.
This proposal is underpinned by a robust evaluation plan leveraging existing data system such as NextGen EHR, JW databases, and TurnKey kiosks. These tools will monitor outcomes, guide continuous improvement, and ensure transparency in progress toward stated goals.
Ramsey County Social Services requested $367,200 to implement these initiatives.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
People of color are disproportionately impacted in the criminal justice system. Within Ramsey County 48% of the individuals within the ADC population that are referred to mental health services identify as African American, compared to the 11% overall population.
This grant work will help to close the gap in racial disparity of those who struggle with mental illness and are involved in Ramsey County’s criminal justice system.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Providing bridge plans services allows individuals to be participants in their rehabilitation plans rather than going through the civil commitment process where rehabilitation is involuntary.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
This DHS grant will provide funding for a temporary Social Worker and an additional intern for the ADC Mental Health team to amplify bridge planning services. Additionally, this grant will increase the hours and availability of psychiatric care in the ADC as well as funds for psychiatric medications. Lastly, this grant will aid in providing cabbing services for incarcerated individuals to treatment programs as a part of their overall bridge plan. This grant has been accounted for in 2025 funding.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. RamseyCounty_9776_Contract