Sponsor: Veterans Services
Title
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Grant Award from Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs for County Veterans Service Office Operational Enhancement Grant Program
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Recommendation
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1. Ratify the submission of the grant application to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs in the amount of $22,500 for County Veterans Service Office Operational Enhancement Grant Program.
2. Accept a grant award and approve a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs for County Veterans Service Office Operational Enhancement Grant Program for the period of July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 in the amount of $22,500.
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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On June 11, 2022, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs notified Ramsey County Veterans Services of a County Veterans Services Office Operational Enhancement Grant award in the amount of $22,500 for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. This grant consists of the base grant amount of $7,500 awarded to all 87 Minnesota counties and an additional $15,000 based on the population of veterans currently residing in Ramsey County. A lump sum payment of $22,500 will be made to Veterans Services upon execution of the grant agreement.
The grant must be used to provide outreach to the county’s veterans; to assist in the reintegration of combat veterans into society; to collaborate with other social service agencies, educational institutions, and other community organizations for the purposes of enhancing services offered to veterans; to reduce homelessness among veterans; and to enhance the operations of the county veterans service office, as specified in as specified in Minnesota Statutes 197.608 and Minnesota Laws 2021, 1st Special Session, Chapter 12, Article 1, Section 37, Subdivision 2. This grant should not be used to supplant or replace other funding.
Ramsey County Board approval is necessary as the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs requires a certified copy of the resolution approving this specific grant to be attached to the grant contract.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☐ Opportunity ☐ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
Veterans Services serves a diverse group of veterans as Ramsey County is the most racially and ethnically diverse county in the state. When compared to Minnesota’s veteran population, the county serves a higher proportion of Asian, Black, and Latino clients and a lower proportion of American Indian and White clients. When compared to the general county population, Veterans Services serves a higher proportion of Black and White clients, and a lower proportion of Asian, American Indian, and Latino clients. The department is actively seeking out ways to capture data provided by the veterans data system to better inform how to serve clients and connect veterans to other services and programs provided by the county and community partners.
Community Participation Level and Impact
Veterans Service has not previously included community input regarding the use of these funds. With the addition of a Race and Health Equity Liaison, the department is expanding their scope of outreach to improve how community input is included in future decision making.
☒ Inform ☐ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
The funding from this annual grant is included in the approved Veterans Services 2022-23 budget.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. Grant Agreement