Sponsor: Safety and Justice
Title
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Amendment to the Agreement with Legal Services for Juveniles INC.
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Recommendation
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1. Approve the amendment to the professional services agreement with Legal Services for Juveniles INC to provide legal representation services for proceedings in juvenile court for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2023, not to exceed the amount of $2,550,000.
2. Authorize the Chair and Chief Clerk to execute the amendment.
3. Authorize the County Manager to approve and execute amendments to renew the term of the agreement in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, with all other terms and conditions remaining the same, in a form approved the County Attorney’s Office.
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Background and Rationale
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Legal Services for Juveniles INC is under contract with Ramsey County to provide professional legal services on behalf of Ramsey County. The current agreement is set to expire December 31, 2021. The Office of Safety and Justice is requesting board approval to extend the agreement for a two-year term through December 31, 2023. The amendment also adds an additional $1,300,000 to the not to exceed amount for a new total of $2,550,000 and updates Ramsey County and Legal Services for Juveniles INC point of contact information. All remaining terms of the agreement will remain in effect.
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Pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 260C.163, subd. 3, a parent, guardian or custodian has the right to effective assistance of counsel in connection with proceedings in juvenile court. The court will appoint counsel to represent that parent, guardian, or custodian when such a person is found by the court to be in need of legal representation but without funds to retain private counsel. In this situation legal services are provided at the County’s expense as required by state law. Legal Services for Juveniles INC will continue to provide legal representation services for qualified parents named in Child Protection and Permanency cases in Ramsey County for the Second Judicial District Court including but not limited to: truancy and run-away case’s, child in need of protective services, termination of parental rights, transfer of legal and physical custody, permanent custody of the agency, temporary legal custody of the agency, and foster care placement.
County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☐ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Families of color are disproportionately represented in Family Court child custody cases. This agreement will continue to ensure equitable access to high quality legal services for that parent, guardian, or custodian regardless of race or economic status.
Community Participation Level and Impact
This action is to inform the community of Ramsey County agreement and participation with the Legal Services for Juveniles INC.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Funding for legal services for Child Protection and Permanency cases is included in the proposed 2022-23 operating budget for Office of Safety and Justice.
County Manager Comments
No additional comments.
Last Previous Action
On September 24, 2019, the Ramsey County Board approved the Single Source Agreement with Legal Services for Juveniles INC to provide legal representation services for proceedings in juvenile court for the period of January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2021, not to exceed amount of $1,250,000 (Resolution # B2019-220).
Attachments
1. Amendment to the Professional Service Agreement with Legal Service for Juveniles INC