[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6470180,"mediaKeyId","5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1","parentId",5779988,"title","PAC board warns possible layoffs if Journey to Independence grant is lost; keeps program running on reserves","audioSeconds",141,"startMs",806000,"endMs",947000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1&start=806&end=947","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1/thumbnail_806000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6470180/Meeker-County/Minnesota/PAC-board-warns-possible-layoffs-if-Journey-to-Independence-grant-is-lost-keeps-program-running-on-reserves","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470180-ad0690cb235f3db68f645aafbdde76c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138499&Signature=aHG5KdEHZj~jF2~0TGGHwyhb12iFOs5~qw052x2KR9nkQhkLgJTlqWCCtOTmaAsDFdKMIVdyfhD9Zix5OysVNl60J-znJ4yzhaTR2AQ3OYU5BBu3h6YoYhKY2Ry7xgGi82~Y3KxSHsPmvaitMxzP2PISaMAlQq~8yvF~rJsql25WSeuLQtrz8T3abEldgG4MYdBLK-1bj5Qs0i~Avsfm1ekehECNswA5d2df5U69MaNADQwOOxWMw139GXFVaC3Bd2X1uEi-XA6V9Qgk8gSM9iOBQy8fqEkis6Nx6LKvNgK5hdniSOPHsm1xgz5O~fEMVnPr~lLqFpdJ6tCUhfjmjw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Meeker County","date","2025-09-18T19:53:16Z","article","Commissioners reported on a recent Prime West Area Collaborative (PAC) meeting in which board members described funding uncertainty for two grants the organization relies on and a contingency plan to avoid abrupt layoffs.

PAC leaders said one critical grant, Journey to Independence (cited in the meeting as about $1,200,000), may not be renewed. PAC staff said a failure to secure the grant would potentially require laying off roughly 14 employees. Conference materials and the PAC board’s discussion set a target date of Sept. 30 for grant notification; PAC must provide 30 days’ notice if layoffs proceed.

To reduce the risk of losing staff before a final decision, the PAC board voted to use reserves to continue the program for roughly two months so that staff would not be laid off immediately if the grant is awarded late. Commissioners described the decision as an effort to avoid losing trained staff who might not return if laid off.

Program presentation: at the PAC meeting a presenter from Youth for Christ in Wilmer described a trauma‑informed intervention program called Rebalance. The presenter provided outcome percentages for participants: 78% reported improved self-confidence, 86% reported increased self-control, 76% reported improved decision-making and 80% reported gains in relationship-building skills. Commissioners said the program targets older youth (roughly ages 14–16) and is one of several local efforts to address mental-health needs.

Meeting context: the PAC report and grant discussion were part of commissioners’ regular reports; no county budget vote was recorded at the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Part 2: September 16, 2025, Meeker County Board of Commissioners Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The PAC board told Meeker County commissioners that a possible loss of a $1.2 million Journey to Independence grant could force about 14 layoffs, and the board voted to use reserves to run the program for two months while awaiting a Sept. 30 grant decision.","taxTitle","Meeker County, Minnesota","taxId",73314,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470185,"PrimeWest names internal successor; court win and Medicaid changes could prompt rapid staffing shifts",114,522000,636000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1&start=522&end=636","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1/thumbnail_522000.jpg","/articles/6470185/Meeker-County/Minnesota/PrimeWest-names-internal-successor-court-win-and-Medicaid-changes-could-prompt-rapid-staffing-shifts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470185-5e8601760c0719557257bb6438e9b7c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138499&Signature=YDBzM2gh9tw70U8Ej3~NC7nBBNr1~ovbjBrvZyTUqFsUoJOEe0TT5zH2XsiX9UVC-88~6rba511hY8giRxyZifx5MbArDtZZWtl~FkYxG9NoltRbJoZ7gBUB-zeYzouUAVby~MjF7X6H8aYJai2WY5H-qRCJIsZFIg9WA027Kll5zk57JCZ6mXQ9rQ95s7g82WjqB-W~m-s84tcQ~Gf8HA9-0Q~eHX8DN0IyHpzkwThoEtWJGxUaBqTBwarXK4d22dOBOnyanttriMD5mEfTXo0HQuxnjMThyw~Ge0F01U1A9I17Ob3zUelN5j4-BF0rJ2is1QpNVwEONNabLKsCnQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","PrimeWest, the joint powers board owned by 24 counties including Meeker County, has recommended an internal successor to lead the organization after CEO Jim Przabella announced his retirement.

The selection committee recommended Matt Magnuson, a long‑time employee, and the full board voted unanimously to appoint him. Magnuson is expected to assume the role on June 1 of next year; in the interim PrimeWest will prepare a transition and may identify an internal candidate to succeed Magnuson in his current role.

Financial position and legal issues: commissioners reported PrimeWest’s cash balance at the end of July was $144,900,000 and that the organization is dealing with higher usage and some large bills. Commissioners said PrimeWest recently won a lawsuit; implementation of the court’s decision remains under discussion. Separately, commissioners said a potential state move to a single Medicaid plan for counties could be implemented as early as Jan. 1, 2026, and could produce a large, rapid increase in enrollment. Commissioners did not provide an enrollment figure.

Why it matters: a rapid enrollment increase tied to Medicaid changes would require PrimeWest and counties to expand staffing and operations quickly. Commissioners said the timing and scale remain uncertain and that PrimeWest’s leadership transition is intended to maintain continuity.

Meeting context: the report appeared during commissioners’ regular reports; no county vote or county action on PrimeWest governance was recorded in the meeting minutes.","PrimeWest’s board has named longtime employee Matt Magnuson as the recommended successor to retiring CEO Jim Przabella; commissioners said the organization’s strong cash position faces uncertainty from a recent legal win and possible statewide Medicaid plan changes that could increase enrollment in 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470189,"Meeker County commissioners describe decades-long state social-services IT problems; Data Depot workaround discussed",961,137000,1098000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1&start=137&end=1098","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1/thumbnail_137000.jpg","/articles/6470189/Meeker-County/Minnesota/Meeker-County-commissioners-describe-decades-long-state-social-services-IT-problems-Data-Depot-workaround-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470189-05543aab58d850a85be7c6aa66770529/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138499&Signature=j~kzSVmJqiUq~oZYHsMf7dvy92~FvfDTmLlQYBx8H3pPnfZJjwHzICpQy05ZetinbABBc3wPlx5G3r4meunKd18yKphG292HLPamiJh~rErxqW2tuR-FBFJdAfm7jeH56LPHbm5b~JifWFSEmC-oZXW9RDqtHEctoEyJR4NCaNSkUM5Cny-lz4OUFdCUFnnv1rJ8UjD9mIZfQiHxIZJ~dVblcBufuQAZx5zKK0flEw0CZ0WCfMf0NRMWHbkUJcnfdpTTA7zuunCi39QfTbSfElBk0cBBPJO-mTuB-5Abm9iPu9h-4qXTYSpyaz7zWQZuBdIohBy73Zbc6VQA-RgFxw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Meeker County commissioners reported that state social-services information technology problems continue to slow casework and planning and that counties discussed both short- and long-term fixes at a recent Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) conference.

Commissioners said the state’s Social Services Information System (SSIS) has produced lengthy, repetitive workflows — one presenter showed a roughly nine-minute video of the steps required just to change an address — and described the issue as decades old rather than a recent backlog. Commissioners said the length and complexity of SSIS work have increased staff time and reduced efficiency.

Why it matters: county social‑services work depends on timely, accurate case records. Commissioners said improved software could free staff time, reduce costs and improve accuracy for programs such as child placement and eligibility determinations.

At the AMC conference, county officials heard about a potential interim product called Data Depot (also referenced in discussion as the vendor Binti) that some counties are considering as a workaround while the state pursues a long-term replacement. Commissioners described Data Depot as an expensive option but one that might reduce time spent on repetitive SSIS tasks until a replacement system is available.

Rep. Torkelson was reported to have described a 2026 timeline as the optimistic target for new state software. Commissioners characterized that timeline as uncertain and said the state still needs to provide resources to meet rising local requirements.

Commissioners said the SSIS problems touch multiple county programs and suggested that any durable fix will be expensive and will require substantial state investment. They urged the state to accelerate work and to consider interim tools where appropriate.

Meeting context: the discussion occurred during commissioners’ reports following the AMC conference. No formal county action on procurement or contracting for Data Depot was recorded in the meeting minutes.","At a Meeker County meeting commissioners reported that the state’s social-services information system (SSIS) creates long processing delays and inefficiencies; counties at the Association of Minnesota Counties conference discussed a costly interim solution called \"Data Depot\" and an optimistic timeline for replacement software in 2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6470175,"Meeker County 4‑H reports roughly 370–378 youth participants; officials say LAMP Kinship is partnering on mentoring",59,53000,112000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1&start=53&end=112","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5779988-cc48629a85a5a97c5b00bb7dfb4a2ce1/thumbnail_53000.jpg","/articles/6470175/Meeker-County/Minnesota/Meeker-County-4H-reports-roughly-370378-youth-participants-officials-say-LAMP-Kinship-is-partnering-on-mentoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6470175-c6bfcfa9a01882d1b5a3bc131e9215ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771138499&Signature=gpwWGeVDIhhqjLvyCQjo3Y6UvDPux8gtDe13Meeo4dSgsI1A35n1oLeAOQmRBjwCED0U6qb52VhBTlJWTVZhP7C2KcFl~qRYVgBPk~BT0y58T~ONhvtjE-H~KfE4lCwSv6sopgBaPuGfZmpWE~NiUXwOxcBynCP48IOpUWvTTl9tFqnfWfHUPvmU7cVMqcIVIpXNfcguO3MxkCCbZNesuGcjNNZaXJ9l65-hgqDw4X5wIoKBe1uVwYbnhVgOCQAgiWCKaoinO4LtfDESNSz-vzCrKFnDomt7rWaBWjiEVxyI730jW2RtKvgLBX4CR4~4yt5l~Waf48X8Ggk85cCzOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Meeker County commissioners reported participation figures and a new collaboration during a routine meeting report.

One commissioner said 4‑H in Meeker County had 370 youth participants this year; another speaker later noted a figure of 378. Commissioners also reported about 120 adult volunteers and 1,790 exhibits at county 4‑H events. Officials said 4‑H runs day camps and summer programs and is seen as a platform for mentoring.

Commissioners said 4‑H leaders have connected with LAMP Kinship, describing the partnership as a way to expand mentoring opportunities and avoid duplication of services. The discussion occurred as part of commissioners’ reports; no formal county action was recorded.","County commissioners reported that Meeker County 4‑H involved about 370 youth (one speaker later cited 378), with roughly 120 adult volunteers and 1,790 exhibits; commissioners said the program is connecting with LAMP Kinship to expand mentoring opportunities.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

PAC board warns possible layoffs if Journey to Independence grant is lost; keeps program running on reserves

PrimeWest names internal successor; court win and Medicaid changes could prompt rapid staffing shifts

Meeker County commissioners describe decades-long state social-services IT problems; Data Depot workaround discussed

Meeker County 4‑H reports roughly 370–378 youth participants; officials say LAMP Kinship is partnering on mentoring