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Todd County HHS reports rising caseloads, reentry and diversion programs and flags state legislation that will change child‑welfare practice
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Summary
Health & Human Services reported increases in initial assessments and adult protection investigations, expansion of reentry and co‑response programs, and preparation for statewide legislation that will require more intensive family preservation efforts starting in 2027.
Todd County Health & Human Services presented program updates to the board on July 15, covering adult services, reentry programs, co‑response/diversion, managed care and child services. Staff reported increased initial assessment numbers and warned of implementation and fiscal impacts from pending statewide child‑welfare legislation.
Adult services and reentry: HHS staff described a county jail reentry program and co‑response social worker position. Inmate services include weekly peer support, parenting classes and therapy‑dog visits. The co‑response social worker has conducted outreach after police calls and completed 101 contacts through June, focusing on mental health and vulnerable populations.
Adult protection: After moving from a halftime to a full‑time adult protection investigator, staff reported 98 Maltreatment reports to date in 2025 (28 emergency reports and 55 accepted for investigation), with screening and intake described as “coming in waves.”
Waiver/managed care and case volumes: The managed‑care/waiver unit reported 918 total active cases across case management and DD services (current as of June). Initial assessments for 2025 are “well over 100” and staff reported that the new MnCHOICES system increases time per assessment (estimated 17–18 hours per initial request from intake to completion). County staff noted federal/state DHS timeframes that require faster completion are not realistic in current rural conditions.
Child services and prevention: For child protection the department received 248 reports through June and completed 60 assessments; 14 children entered foster care and 15 exited foster care during the same period — roughly on pace with three‑year averages. HHS staff emphasized preventive work: community connection events, parenting classes, and an upcoming August family resource event intended to reduce out‑of‑home placements.
Legislative change and implications: Staff discussed the Minnesota legislation (often described in the meeting as a disproportionality/family‑preservation measure) that requires “active efforts” and expanded supports for overrepresented groups. HHS staff said implementation will require much more hands‑on casework (help with transportation, housing vouchers, meeting attendance, kinship supports) and that the county’s information systems and workforce capacity will need upgrades before the law takes effect in 2027. Staff emphasized that the new focus will be on keeping children safely in their homes where possible, but that the change will increase staff time per case and local fiscal pressure.
Ending: Commissioners heard that the HHS teams are stretched but working on preventive options; staff will continue planning for legislative changes and managing current caseload growth.
