Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Kandiyohi County approves 2026 children’s‑services contracts, highlights declining out‑of‑home placements
Summary
Children’s‑services supervisors reported reduced out‑of‑home placement and recommended several 2026 contracts (Woodland Centers, Greater Minnesota, UCAP, Harmony Visitation); board approved multiple service contracts totaling several hundred thousand dollars to support in‑home and intensive family services.
Kandiyohi County heard a multi‑part update from children's‑services supervisors on Dec. 16 and approved a suite of 2026 purchase‑of‑service contracts intended to expand in‑home supports and reduce costly out‑of‑home placements.
Nicole Monson and colleagues reported that through September 2025 the agency screened in 231 child‑protection referrals (102 investigations and 129 family assessments) and maintained an average of 78 child‑protection case‑management cases open each month. Supervisors said parental substance abuse is the leading reason for placements and praised in‑home work that staff say helps shorten and reduce placements.
The board approved contracts recommended by staff: Woodland Centers — in‑home family based skills (hourly at the CCBHC rate, not to exceed $85,000) and intensive family‑based services (not to exceed $158,669); Greater Minnesota — a new intensive in‑home family‑services contract (initial funding using existing grant dollars, not to exceed $50,000 total); United Community Action Partnership (UCAP) — family‑based services (not to exceed $210,000); and Harmony Visitation Center — Safe Avenues visitation services (total $53,360, a 2% increase over 2025).
Supervisors outlined service models: in‑home visits and monthly minimum contact, intensive family‑based services meeting families 2–3 times weekly to avert placement, family‑based skills (budgeting, parenting strategies) and TBRI‑trained foster‑parent coaching. Supervisors said typical ongoing case loads average six to eight cases, with higher intensity for foster‑care placements. Several commissioners commended staff for reducing out‑of‑home costs and emphasized the levy‑driven nature of placement expense.
Next steps: contracts will be executed and staff will continue monitoring outcomes; board asked for periodic updates on caseloads, placement trends and service effectiveness.
