 This year, 23 Hennepin County projects received awards from the National Association of Counties, the National Association of City and County Health Officials, and the Center for Digital Government. Two of these NACo Achievement Awards were in the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Category, and at Tuesday's board meeting I was thrilled to present each of the awards to their recipients.
I presented the first award to Terrance Hendricks from the Adult Representation Services Housing Court Team. In July 2021, Hennepin County Adult Representation Services (ARS) launched a Housing Court team to provide legal representation to tenants experiencing poverty. Our interdisciplinary team works together to provide high-quality representation and wraparound support to tenants.
In 2022, ARS served nearly 2,500 tenants, 76% of whom are Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC). Tenants who are represented have better outcomes that include favorable settlements, securing additional rental assistance and expungement of their eviction record. This creates long-term housing stability for Hennepin County residents and advances Hennepin County’s mission to improve racial equity and support the well-being of all residents.
The second award, for Criminal Justice and Public Safety, recognizes the Safe Spaces program. I presented this award to Luda Trandafilava, Security Manager. The Safe Spaces initiative is a trauma-informed and victim-centered response to human trafficking and domestic violence that helps victims connect with county resources. This pilot program targeted four of the county’s busiest buildings, including the Government Center. Because public bathrooms are often the only safe spaces for victims of domestic abuse or human trafficking, county security staff worked with community partners and survivor groups to install one-way emergency phones in the bathrooms of these four buildings and post signage in four languages with tear-off slips that can be handed to any county employee. Security provided training and communicated broadly about the pilot project so any county staff who received the tear-off slip would be prepared to respond.
In just the first four months of the pilot, the Security Division received seventeen human trafficking and domestic violence calls and was able to connect those victims respectfully and safely with Hennepin County resources. To read more about the Safe Spaces Initiative, visit the news story at the end of our newsletter or follow the link below:
Hennepin County helps victims of domestic abuse, trafficking (audacy.com)
 On Monday I provided my annual City Council Update to Deephaven City Council. Thank you to Mayor Kent Carlson and the entire City Council for welcoming me to Monday's meeting and for your thoughtful questions around deepening partnerships with local government.
 Visit Southdale Library on Thursday, August 31st from 6:00-7:30pm to learn more about the Edina Art Center joining the new building, view preliminary design concepts and meet the architects, hear a summary of survey feedback and library highlights, and join a conversation with architects and project leaders.
For more information about the Southdale Library Building Project or to provide feedback about the library, visit the link below:
Southdale Library building project | Hennepin County (hclib.org)
I’m writing with words of gratitude and well wishes around an upcoming District 6 staff change. Kyle Olson, who has served as our Policy Director will begin a full-time grad school program at the University of Minnesota pursuing a Masters in Geographic Information Systems for the next two years. Kyle Olson’s final day with the District 6 office will be Friday, August 18.
Kyle has played an invaluable role advancing Hennepin County’s mission through the policy and constituent services work of this office with intelligence, responsiveness, kindness and professionalism.
Any sadness I feel at his departure is greatly exceeded by the gratitude I have for the ways he has served this work with purpose and excellence. I hope you’ll join me in sending Kyle off with gratitude and well wishes on his next chapter.
In the meantime, please reach out to Ella Eliason, my District Director, if you need to reach our office. She can be reached at ella.eliason@hennepin.us or at 612-895-0397.
By: Susie Jones, WCCO
August 8, 2023
"A new program in the heart of the Twin Cities is offering a lifeline to victims of human trafficking and domestic abuse, and we've just learned it's expanding.
News Talk 830 WCCO's Susie Jones has more on "Safe Spaces"."
Access the full story here.
By: Sheletta Brundidge, WCCO
July 30, 2023
"Melissa Hudson is looking forward to the summer break from school. That’s because the Camden neighborhood resident will be able to spend even more time than usual with her nine precious grandchildren. She’s planning regular visits to the playground and the Dairy Queen on N. Lyndale Ave with her grandkids in tow."
Access the full story here.
The Hennepin County Board of Commissioners consists of one commissioner from each of seven districts. I am proud to represent Deephaven, north Eden Prairie, Edina, Excelsior, Greenwood, Hopkins, Long Lake, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, northern Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Wayzata and Woodland.
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Chris LaTondresse
Commissioner
6th District
612-348-7886
Ella Eliason
District Director
612-348-6885
Kyle Olson
Policy Director
612-348-3168
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