BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 3 to Agreement A189204 with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for services to individuals living with mental illness and co-occurring substance abuse disorder, during the period of September 30, 2022 through September 29, 2023, increasing the receivable amount by $330,000 to a new receivable amount of $1,600,607 be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the agreement on behalf of the county; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for this program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued funding commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.

In response to Board Resolution 18-0424, the Board accepted a grant of $286,566 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Funds were awarded in response to a 2018 proposal from Hennepin County to support early diversion services at the Behavioral Health Center at 1800 Chicago, and to expand access to mental health services for people as an alternative to hospitalization and jail. The agreement was amended in 2019, 2020, and 2021 to accept additional funds of $981,041. On August 6, 2021 SAMHSA forwarded a Notice of Award to provide $330,000 for the fifth year of services for the period 9/30/2022-9/29/2023, bringing the grant total to $1,600,607.

The Behavioral Health Walk In Center is progressively helping more people and is on pace to serve more than 1,300 residents in 2022. The Behavioral Health Walk In Center has coordinated close to 2,000 referrals so far in 2022, including crisis residence, psychiatry, therapy, case management, substance use disorder treatment, syringe service programs, housing, and public assistance.

This board action request supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts by fostering improved access to culturally appropriate services delivered both by county and contracted agencies. The impact of the Behavioral Health Walk in Center is showing positive results on several key indicators of resident well-being such as reduced emergency department visits, inpatient hospitalization and decreased jail booking.