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Roseville introduces two embedded social workers to reduce crisis calls and link residents to services
Summary
City officials introduced Molly Slade and Amber Ruth as embedded social workers who will work alongside police to connect residents — including people with dementia and other vulnerabilities — to community services and reduce 911 calls.
City of Roseville officials introduced two embedded social workers, Molly Slade and Amber Ruth, during the council meeting, highlighting the program’s role in crisis diversion and ongoing support for vulnerable adults.
City staff described a recent case in which the embedded social work team worked with a family whose relative has early-onset dementia and aggressive tendencies, saying the response aimed "to prevent this from ever being a crisis or 911 call." The staff member credited the program with building relationships between the social workers, family and group-home staff and with avoiding repeated police responses.
Molly Slade, described at the meeting as a Roseville resident who served on the Human Rights Commission from 2014 to 2017, has more than 20 years of mental health experience and a master’s degree in social work from the University of St. Thomas. City officials said Slade had been embedded previously through a contract and has served in Roseville for two years; they described continuing her role as an ongoing city position.
Amber Ruth, introduced as a new hire for the city’s embedded program, was described as having more than 20 years of community mental-health experience, including prior work with Saint Paul’s co-responder team. Officials noted Ruth holds certifications in forensic social work and crisis de-escalation and has program leadership experience.
Council members praised the program’s proactive approach. Council member Strahan said the program’s relationship-building efforts allow staff to “be proactive” and help residents “before it even becomes a story.” Council member Grama said other cities ask how Roseville runs the program and that the model “should be around the whole metro area.” Council member Bauer invited the team to bring back feedback and suggestions for improvements as needs change.
City officials emphasized the council’s financial support for making the positions permanent. The officials said the embedded social workers connect residents with services so that “law enforcement resources [can] be used for law enforcement purposes,” a formulation echoed by other council members at the meeting.
Officials and the two social workers took questions from council members about community outreach and program outcomes; no formal council action was taken at the meeting beyond the introduction and public acknowledgement of the hires. Staff invited further questions and asked the council to continue supporting funding and program evaluation.
The presentation closed with council members thanking the social workers for joining the city’s efforts and noting anecdotal successes — including cases that have not become public crises because of early intervention.
