In October 2020 the Board approved Agreement A2010337 with Minnesota Department of Human Services and added $215,457 in grant funds to the department budget. The grant agreement A2010337 is for integrated mental health services provided at the Behavioral Health Care Center at 1800 Chicago Avenue in Minneapolis. On March 27, 2022, Minnesota DHS notified the Department of a time extension to be enacted through Amendment 1 to the existing agreement through 12/31/2022.

The grant project has had 1,374 client visits from 9/1/2018- 6/30/2022.  In that time project counselors completed 1,374 referrals to community mental health services, 821 referrals to economic support services, and 952 referrals to housing. Services will continue to target approximately 1,195 Hennepin County residents who experience serious mental illness and complex co-occurring conditions who cycle from detention to intensive psychiatric hospital services, to the street, and back. The goal is to divert this population into innovative, collaborative, and community-based mental health services. The initial funds supported the establishment of a pre-booking diversion team made up of a social worker, city attorney and jail deputy. It also supported contracted services through Hennepin Healthcare and Mental Health Resource Inc.

This board action request aligns with Hennepin County disparity reduction efforts by supporting improved access to culturally appropriate mental health services and increasing community well-being.