Sponsor: Public Health
Title
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Grant Award from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for Sexual Assault Services
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs, Crime Victim Services for sexual assault services for the period upon execution through September 30, 2026 in the amount of $347,314.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the grant agreement.
3. Authorize the County Manager to enter into agreements and execute amendments to agreements in accordance with the county's policies and procedures.
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Background and Rationale
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Public Health's Sexual Offense Services (SOS) program receives annual state and federal grant funding from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Justice Programs to provide 24/7 crisis advocacy, ongoing individual advocacy, counseling and support, community awareness, information, and education. The SOS program provides follow-up services to victims and secondary victims, such as family and friends of victims who are impacted by sexual violence. Follow-up services are provided only when a client allows SOS permission. These follow-up services may include a general check-in within the first week of the client contacting SOS and medical and legal information as needed.
Research and data on sexual violence experiences have shown sexual assault victims experience considerable short- and longer-term distress. Victims who worked with an advocate were less likely to blame themselves for the sexual assault and less reluctant to seek further help from community support systems. As a result of advocacy, victims are more likely to receive services from community professionals and have better recovery outcomes.
SOS services have been provided in Ramsey County since 1976. SOS answers approximately 8,000 service calls for approximately 1,100 victims of sexual violence, annually. The services provided are in accordance with and by defined terms of the Minnesota Department of Safety Office of Justice Programs. These services include crisis intervention, emotional support, financial resources and support for emergency services, transportation and compensation claims, information and referrals regarding social/human resources services, medical advocacy, criminal and civil advocacy, and safety services.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
? Well-being ? Prosperity ? Opportunity ? Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
The goals, objectives and outcomes of SOS's practices, structure, and funding requests are centered on serving residents who are more likely to be marginalized in society: people of color, women, LGBTQ+, low-income individuals, prisoners, the disabled, senior citizens.
More than 50% of primary victim survivors served by SOS are racially and ethnically diverse. Racially and ethnically diverse communities experience sexual violence at higher rates than their White counterparts, as reflected in the National Crime Victimization Survey. The disproportionate rate of sexual violence in racially and ethnically diverse communities is compounded by existing racial health disparities such as higher rates of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and heart disease. These health disparities are highest in immigrant and refugee populations in Minnesota, many of whom live in Ramsey County.
Additionally, three of eight staff are fluent in a second language and all staff and volunteers utilize the 24/7 Language Line with over 240 languages to provide support to clients with limited English proficiency. The program also offers referrals to culturally specific community partners, including but not limited to Comunidades Latinas Unidas en Servicio, ThinkSelf, MN Coalition Against Sexual Assault, Hmong American Partnership, Saint Paul Intervention Project, Tubman Family Alliance, and University of Minnesota Community University Health Care Center.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The Sexual Assault Protocol Team partners with over 90 people participating from over 30 agencies. SOS has led and supported various community outreach events and campaigns including Start by Believing, an annual SOS Walk to Honor Survivors, and Sexual Violence Action Program with Saint Paul Public Schools. Additional methods of outreach and community involvement include an online evaluation of services for clients, an ASKSOS email for community members and stakeholders to connect with SOS staff easily, and focus groups to collect input from victims, survivors, and community stakeholders. There is currently a partnership with the Ramsey County Attorney's Office to provide focus groups with survivors of sexual violence who identify as racially and ethnically diverse to analyze their level of engagement with the legal process. Staff outreach efforts include weekly, in-person promotion at the Saint Paul Opportunity Center, Saint Paul College and Macalester College.
? Inform ? Consult ? Involve ? Collaborate ? Empower
Fiscal Impact
The 2025 grant award has been included in the proposed 2026-2027 Public Health budget and the award for 2026 will be $347,374. Public Health has been receiving this grant award from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for Sexual Assault Services since October of 2016.
Last Previous Action
On November 14, 2023, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners approved the Grant Award from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for Sexual Assault Services (Resolution B2023-197).
Attachments
1. Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety
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