County board actions: housing for Native Americans experiencing homelessness, funding to reduce infant mortality

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Carolyn Marinan, Communications, 612-348-5969

County board actions

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Program will house Native Americans experiencing homelessness

The board accepted funding to help Native Americans with substance abuse disorders exit homelessness. The Minnesota Department of Human Services will provide nearly $300,000 of grant funding each year for room, board and recovery services for people experiencing severe substance abuse disorders. Hennepin County will contract with the American Indian Community Development Corporation to provide these services, which will focus on improving health equity of Native Americans.

Read more about this action.

Read more about American Indian Community Development Corporation

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Funding will reduce disparities, infant mortality rate in North Minneapolis

The board accepted a $338,588 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health to reduce infant mortality among people of color. In Hennepin County, racial and ethnic disparities mirror those seen nationally, with the highest rates of infant mortality among babies born to US-born African American mothers. Grant funding will allow NorthPoint Health & Wellness Center to expand a program to connect parents with resources including health care, nutrition support, parenting education and help accessing benefits.

Read more about the grant funding.

Guidance on safety-net programs will help people transition from correctional facilities to community

The board approved an agreement that will help people being released from Minnesota correctional facilities access basic safety-net programs upon their release. As part of this program, people will receive guidance on applying for benefits, such as food and cash assistance, to aid in their transition back to the community. Hennepin County staff, on an intergovernmental transfer, will assist the Minnesota Department of Human Services in implementing this federally-funded program.

Learn more about this action

Funding will guide job-seekers onto career pathways in public and private sectors

The board approved a $587,600 contract with HIRED to administer six Career Pathways training programs. Funding will provide pathways to employment with Hennepin County and other regional partners in the hospitality, public sector, construction and public safety sectors. This program is part of Hennepin County's broader plan to build a stronger workforce and address persistent economic disparities. Since 2014, these programs have provided training, work experience and professional support to guide job-seekers onto career pathways, directly aligning workers' skills with employers' needs.

Learn more about this action.

Learn more about Hennepin County workforce initiatives.  

Funding sets up Fremont Ave. Bridge for replacement in 2019

The board approved funding that slates the Fremont Avenue Bridge over the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis for reconstruction in 2019. Built more than a century ago, the bridge is in a state of extreme deterioration and is currently closed to motor vehicle traffic. Federal funding will cover up to $2.4 million of the $4.6 million project budget. The Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority and City of Minneapolis will cover the remaining costs. 

Read more about the project

Sheriff's Office will use grant funding for terrorism prevention efforts

The board accepted a $347,600 grant for terrorism prevention training and engagement. This June, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded this funding to the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. The grant will expand Sheriff's Office community engagement efforts and fund public safety education initiatives and workshops for residents designed to prevent radicalization, violent extremism and terrorism.  

Read more about this action.

Read more about the grant program.

Grant funding will reduce drug supply, prevent drug abuse

The board accepted a $90,000 Office of National Drug Control Policy grant to reduce drug trafficking and production in Hennepin County. In addition to lessening the drug supply throughout the county, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office will coordinate its efforts with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Grant funding also supports drug prevention initiatives, including #NOverdose, a campaign that educates the community about dangers and trends related to the opioid epidemic.

Learn more about this action.

Learn more about #NOverdose.

Budget hearings and other dates scheduled

The board scheduled public hearings for adoption of the 2018 budget and levy, and set a schedule for the Budget and Capital Investment Committee to consider the proposed 2018 budget. 

The meetings will proceed as follows:

County administrator presents proposed 2018 budget to board

Tuesday, September 12, 1:30 p.m.

Board vote on 2018 maximum tax levy and budget

Tuesday, September 26, 1:30 p.m.

Operations/Library

Monday, September 28, 1 - 4 p.m.

Health

Thursday, October 5, 1 - 4 p.m.

Human Services

Tuesday, October 24, 9 a.m. - noon 

Public Works

Tuesday, October 31, 1 - 4 p.m.

Capital Budgeting Task Force and fees

Thursday, November 2, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.

Truth-in-Taxation public meeting

Tuesday, November 28, 6 p.m. Participants can park for free after 5 p.m. in the Government Center ramp. Enter on 3rd Avenue.

Commissioner amendments

Thursday, November 30, 9 - 11:30 a.m.

Commissioner amendments

Wednesday, December 6, 1 - 4 p.m.

County Board vote on 2017 budget and levy

Tuesday, December 12, 1:30 p.m.

Read the related board action.

Public hearing on name change of Lake Calhoun

During a public hearing, the board will hear public testimony regarding a petition to change the name of Lake Calhoun to Bde Maka Ska. 

  • Tuesday, October 17, 6 p.m.
  • Hennepin County Government Center Board Room, A-24
  • 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis
  • Participants can park for free after 5 p.m. in the Government Center ramp. Enter on 3rd Avenue.

In lieu of public testimony, the board also invites people to submit written comments to board.clerk@hennepin.us before the end of the public hearing.

The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board in June approved a resolution supporting renaming the lake. The petition also needs the approval of county, state and federal officials.

Current and archival board meetings, agendas and minutes are available online. View at www.hennepin.us/boardmeetings

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