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Otter Tail County board renews human services contracts after questions on guardianship providers
Summary
The County Board approved contract renewals for human services providers after discussion about overlapping guardianship services and cost differences between Lutheran Social Services and Prairie Support Services; staff said roughly 70 county-paid guardianships exist and performance measures and statutory reporting apply.
The Otter Tail County Board voted Dec. 2 to renew a slate of human services contracts after commissioners questioned whether two guardianship providers serve the same population at different rates.
Commissioner Sullivan pulled item 6 from the consent agenda for discussion and asked whether Lutheran Social Services and Prairie Support Services were serving the same targeted population at differing contract rates. A county staff member who identified herself later in the meeting as Deb said the county issued a request for information for guardianship services a few years ago and that Lutheran Social Services has a historical contract. "Prairie Support Services came in with a significantly lower cost associated per hour," Deb said, and the county contracted with the lower-cost vendor while noting clients already assigned to a guardian remain under that guardian until a legal process in court changes the appointment.
Deb told the board there are approximately 70 people under guardianship whose costs are paid by the county because they lack private resources. She said some contract numbers for community and life services and other programs would need to be pulled from quarterly reports provided to the child and family services team. On performance oversight, Deb said the MFIP employment services contract contains performance measures and reporting; contract case managers use satisfaction surveys and statutory guardianship reporting timelines must be met for court filings.
When Commissioner Sullivan asked about the contract term for a vendor called Thomas Allen, Deb said the state determines the reimbursement rate and the county includes language allowing contract amendment or termination with notice. Chair and commissioners moved to approve the contract renewals; the motion carried by voice vote.
The board directed staff to schedule a committee meeting after the new year to explain the guardianship process and the typical pathway through the courts that leads to a guardian appointment.
