Sponsor: Safety and Justice
Title
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Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety -Office of Justice Programs- 2027 Crisis Response Grants
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Recommendation
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1. Accept a grant award and approve a grant contract agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety - Office of Justice Programs for Crisis Response Services for the period upon execution through June 30, 2028 in the amount of $300,000.
2. Authorize the Chair and the Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to the agreement in accordance with the county’s procurement policies and procedures, provide the amounts are within the limits of available grant funding.
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Background and Rationale
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The Appropriate Responses Initiative (ARI) was built in 2021 to expand alternative response to 9-1-1 calls. In partnership with Ramsey County’s Social Services Department (SSD), ARI embedded Social Workers in the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) as part of the call structure to support 9-1-1 calls with mental, behavioral, and chemical health needs. The Embedded Social Workers (ESWs) are trained mental health professionals and practitioners. They can support individuals with chemical and mental health needs, perform assessments and analyze situations to make informed decisions for support.
In addition to working with ARI with the ECC Embedded Social Workers and Mental Health Crisis teams, SSD has solidified a partnership with the Maplewood Police Department (MAPD) to place one of their social workers directly in the department to provide resident support in partnership with traditional responders. On May 12, 2026, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the joint powers agreement with the City of Maplewood’s Mental Health Outreach Team for an embedded Ramsey County Social Worker.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Crisis Response Grant will support existing social worker positions and reduce the fiscal levy impact on SSD and City of Maplewood for the duration of the grant. The 1-Full Time Equivalent (FTE) for the Maplewood Police ESW will be funded by the new grant. Upon completion of the grant, there will be an evaluation to consider operationalizing this effort. The grant will also support 0.5 FTE of one of the ECC ESWs which is currently funded through the county’s levy investment in ARI. No match is required for this grant. The work highlights the value of phone support, resources connections, individualized support plans for familiar callers, bridging the gap between traditional response and mental health response.
This work is in direct connection to Ramsey County's Justice Transformation strategic priority <https://www.ramseycountymn.gov/your-government/projects-initiatives/strategic-plan/justice-transformation>. The Appropriate Responses Initiative and the partnership with Maplewood Police Department demonstrates how Ramsey County is advancing responsive and supportive approaches for individuals and families who interact with the justice system.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Ramsey County’s focus on justice system transformation is centered in community and wellness, where changing the system is rooted in partnerships with community and system stakeholders that align with community values. Black and American Indian communities in Ramsey County are burdened by significant disparities across life outcomes, including rates of arrest and incarceration. ARI seeks to disrupt these disparities by finding new ways to keep neighborhoods safe, disrupt pathways to incarceration, and empower communities by:
• Improving the well-being of communities.
• Reducing the engagement of communities with the justice system.
• Lowering incarceration rates.
• Reducing financial obligations to the justice system.
• Decreasing crime and victimization rates.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Community members have been positively impacted by the responses of the Embedded Social Workers. Residents have been given support in the following ways: phone support, resource connections, individualized support plans for familiar callers, and bridging the gap between traditional response and mental health response.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☒ Involve ☒ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
There is no levy impact associated with the Request for Board Action. The grant provides $300,000 in funding, which is not included in the approved 2026-2027 Safety and Justice Administration operating budget. The grant will fund 1.5 FTE existing positions in the Social Services department and will be available through June 30, 2028.
Last Previous Action
On May 12, 2026, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the joint powers agreement with the City of Maplewood for the Mental Health Outreach Team (Resolution B2026-059).
Attachments
1. Grant Agreement