County board actions: lead poisoning prevention, behavioral health triage

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county board actions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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

The board accepted a grant to expand outreach in communities at risk of lead poisoning, approved the initial design for a mental and chemical health triage space, accepted funding to provide housing and services to residents of the Minneapolis homeless encampment and more.

CDC grant will expand outreach to prevent lead poisoning

The board accepted $405,706 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to expand outreach in communities at risk of lead poisoning, with a focus on immigrant and refugee populations.

This outreach work will build upon existing efforts. Since 2003, Hennepin County has helped nearly 4,600 households fix lead paint hazards in their homes. 

Hennepin County will hire a full-time employee charged with increasing lead exposure screening rates and improving outreach to families affected by lead exposure. Part of this work will involve identifying at-risk populations and building partnerships with community organizations.

View the full board action.

Learn more about resources for lead paint hazards

Board approves design for mental and chemical health triage space  

The board approved the initial design for an Intake and Triage Center that will be constructed in summer 2019 on the first floor of the 1800 Chicago Building in Minneapolis. The center, now in its pilot phase, will respond to immediate mental health and addiction crises, provide medical care, and link people to resources that support well-being. This action is part of a larger effort to transform this facility into the Behavioral Health Center that can address immediate needs as well as root causes of behavioral health conditions.

Learn more about this action.

Program will provide housing services for people living at homeless encampment  

The board accepted $214,209 from the state to provide supports and temporary housing to residents of the homeless encampment in Minneapolis experiencing substance use disorders. Hennepin County will contract with American Indian Community Development Corporation to provide these resources at the former Kateri Residence, which is near the encampment.

Read more about this action.

Board appoints interim library director

The board appointed Janet Mills as interim Hennepin County Library director. Mills is currently a division manager for the library system and brings knowledge of day-to-day library operations to this role. The county will conduct a national search for a permanent director. 

Learn more about this action.

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

Look for more news on the Hennepin County website at hennepin.us/news.

Discover how we're making a difference in our communities at hennepin.us/stories.