ReCAST Minneapolis Updates

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August 10, 2017

Advisory Team Meeting Recap

Thank you to all of those who were able to attend this week's Advisory Team meeting. At this meeting, we spent the majority of the time going through the work of the ReCAST Minneapolis' Capacity Building Institute. After a fair amount of deliberation, members agreed to move forward with implementing this work. As suggested by Advisory Team members, we have modified the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) document and will give a final opportunity for those interested on the Advisory Team to provide edits. If you are interested in reviewing this document, please email ReCASTMinneapolisInfo@minneapolismn.gov and we will provide the document. 


Request for Trainers in Psychological First Aid 

The City along with ReCAST Minneapolis, remains committed to its mission of increasing the capacity of City of Minneapolis employees around stress, trauma, and resiliency in order to better serve our city's residents. We have a small contracting opportunity available to support our 911 Department and our Emergency Management Department in Psychological First Aid. We recognize the high priority to enhance and maintain immediate and ongoing safety within community during traumatic incidents by providing physical and emotional comfort. This work is not targeted toward clinical workers, but for those who are first responders, those who within the city government who are first line of contact for community, and those who have ongoing engagement with community. 

For this work, we are looking for trainers to help employees develop skills that will allow them to:

  • Calm and orient emotionally overwhelmed community members experiencing a traumatic incident
  • Help community members experiencing a crisis situation communicate their immediate needs and concerns, and gather information as appropriate
  • Connect community members to social networks and resources in community that can be of support
  • Support positive coping, acknowledge coping efforts and strengths, and empower community members, encourage those experiencing crisis including adults, children, and families to take an active role in their recover
  • Offer other practical assistance deemed appropriate for those who are not trainer mental and behavioral health specialists 

These subjects are not set in stone but it helps set the scope of work for the goals and objectives that we would like to see come out of this training.

We are looking for this training to take place in September 2017 for a total of 20 attendees. If you are interested in being considered for this work, please submit project plan to ReCASTMinneapolisInfo@minneapolismn.gov no later than Wednesday August 16, 2017. Proposals should include (1) how you will meet the specific goals outlined in the scope, (2) your experience delivering it, (3) how you will deliver it, and (4) a breakdown of costs.

Please email ReCASTMinneapolisInfo@minneapolismn.gov with questions. 


Request for Proposals for Psychological Services for Pre-placement and Fitness for Duty Assessments

A request for proposals has been put out by the Minneapolis Police Department for Psychological Services for Pre-Placement and Fitness for Duty assessments. They are seeking bids from psychologists and/or psychiatrists to perform pre-placement and fitness for duty psychological assessments.

Pre-placement psychological exams are a critical step in the hiring process for Minneapolis Police Officers and are required by Minnesota Administrative Rule: Chapter 6700.0700. Fitness for duty psychological assessments are governed by the Minneapolis Police Officer Federation labor agreement: Article 31 and are a vital component to determining employee's ability to perform the essential functions of a Minneapolis Police Officer.

Proposals are due by 4 p.m. on August 21. Please submit proposals to:

  • City of Minneapolis - Procurement
    Request for Proposals for:
    Minneapolis Police Department
    Psychological Services for Pre-placement and Fitness for Duty Assessments
    330 2nd Avenue South, Suite 552
    Minneapolis, MN 55401

More information


Free Adult Mental Health First Aid Training taught in Somali

This community-based education class is open to the public and intended for people with little to some knowledge of mental illness. Anyone working or living in the community will benefit from this interactive class, and contact hours are available. Please note, this class may be too basic for those who work in mental health services.

  • August 11-12, 2:30-8 p.m. (Each Day)
    Fairview Education Center
    152 Cobblestone Lane, Willow B
    Burnsville, MN 55112

Daycare will be provided! Registration closes on August 4. Register online, by phone (612-706-4566), or by email. 


Free Youth Mental Health First Aid Training taught in Spanish

This course is designed for adults who interact with youth, ages 12-18, on a regular basis, including teachers, education personnel, coaches, youth leaders, parents or those interested in obtaining a better understanding of mental health in youth. Please not, this class may be too basic for those who work in mental health services.

  • September 22, 5-9:30 p.m. & September 23, 8:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.
    Progressive Individual Resources, Inc.
    33 Wentworth Ave E, #200
    West St. Paul, MN 55118

Registration closes on September 15. Register online, by phone (612-706-4566), or by email.

Para información en español 


About ReCAST Minneapolis

The Resilience in Communities After Stress & Trauma (ReCAST) Minneapolis Program is funded through a multi-year grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). ReCAST Minneapolis is intended to assist high-risk youth and families, and promote resilience and equity in communities that have recently faced civil unrest through the implementation of evidence-based violence prevention and community youth engagement programs, as well as linkages to trauma-informed behavioral health services. SAMHSA created the ReCAST Program to support communities that have lived through demonstrations of mass protest in response to police-involved shootings of unarmed African-American males. 

For more information, please email ReCASTMinneapolisInfo@minneapolismn.gov.

This update was developed [in part] under grant number 1H79SM063520-01 from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The views, policies, and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of SAMHSA or HHS. 


For reasonable accommodations or alternative formats please contact ReCASTMinneapolisInfo@minneapolismn.gov or
by phone: 612-673-2958. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. 

TTY users can call 612-673-2157 or 612-673-2626.

Para asistencia 612-673-2700, Yog xav tau kev pab, hu 612-673-2800, Hadii aad Caawimaad u baahantahay 612-673-3500.