Coversheet

Board Action Request
22-0382

Item Description:
Amd Board Resolution 22-0290 to change agmt number from A2110860 to A2211297

Resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED, that board resolution 22-0290 be amended to correct listed Agreement A2110860 and replace with Agreement A2211297 with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development Rehabilitation Services to accept grant funding for the Extended Employment Program, during the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, in the receivable amount of $275,546 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 the program by Hennepin county Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued commitment by Hennepin county for this program when grant funds are no longer available.


Background: Board approval is requested for the correction of an agreement number, from Agreement A2110860 originally approved by the Board on August 2, 2022 to Agreement A2211297. Agreement A2110860 was listed incorrectly in the original Board action request. Agreement A2211297 includes extended employment funding from Minnesota Department of Employment & Economic Development (DEED). Funds are awarded through a formula. The Human Services Department's Vocational Services Program (VSP) provides vocational rehabilitation services for Hennepin County residents who have a diagnosis of a serious mental illness and/or substance use disorder. Minnesota DEED Rehabilitation Services provides an annual Extended Employment grant which funds supported employment services. VSP is a CARF accredited program that has provided supported employment services in Hennepin County for over 35 years. VSP counselors provide a range of individualized vocational services that include job seeking skills, job development assistance, support on the job, education on accommodations/disclosure, career exploration, and benefits management counseling. VSP served 40 individuals in 2021, and of those placed, 71% retained their jobs after three months and 55% retained jobs for one year. The starting wage averaged $16.49 per hour. In 2021, Black or African Americans consisted of 15.5% of VSP participants. This compares to 13.8% of the overall Hennepin County population per the 2019 population estimates of the U.S. Census. Managers in Behavioral Health use a Racial Equity Impact Tool to guide employees and partners to make sure we are serving those who could most benefit from our services. The VSP program of Human Services Behavioral Health operates with the philosophy that work is a significant part of an individual’s recovery and contributes to the Department’s outcomes of stability, self-sufficiency, and wellbeing. This board action request supports the county’s disparity reduction efforts within the health domain by fostering improved access to culturally appropriate services delivered both by county and contracted agencies.


Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval