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Hennepin County extends embedded social worker agreements with multiple cities
Summary
Human Services Committee approved amendments extending the Hennepin County embedded social worker joint powers agreements with several cities, most through Dec. 31, 2027, citing partnerships with local police departments and the program's role in crisis response and call diversion.
The Hennepin County Human Services Committee on Oct. 21 approved multiple amendments to joint powers agreements to continue the county's embedded social worker program in partnership with municipal police departments.
Under the approved actions, the joint powers agreement with a seven-police-department consortium and the agreement with the city of St. Louis Park were extended through Dec. 31, 2027. Amendments for Edina and Richfield likewise extend through Dec. 31, 2027. An amendment with Maple Grove and New Hope covers the period Jan. 1, 2025, through Jan. 31, 2026; county staff said differing end dates reflect the individual budgeting processes of partner cities.
Leah Kaiser, director of behavioral health for Hennepin County, said the variations in contract end dates are driven by each city's budget approval timeline: "The short answer is that it just relates to the budgeting process by each of the cities. So yeah. Some cities will approve a longer duration than others, and so we just respond to the needs of each community and set our timelines accordingly." Commissioners praised the program's collaborative model and urged staff to develop a clear value statement and share metrics with partner cities during tight budget cycles.
The committee approved the amendments by voice vote. Staff will continue to coordinate with city partners and report on program outcomes and opportunities for expansion.
