Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Human Services topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Olmsted County approves Health, Housing & Human Services purchase-of-service agreements including supported employment and crisis nursery
Summary
The board approved multiple Health, Housing & Human Services purchase-of-service agreements. Presenters highlighted a grant-funded supported employment program with Goodwill Easterseals serving 52 participants and a Families First crisis nursery that served ~307 children in 2024 and ~247 in 2025.
The Olmsted County Board of Commissioners voted to approve Health, Housing & Human Services purchase-of-service agreements after department presentations and a brief question-and-answer period.
Amy Rockwater, deputy administrator for Health, Housing & Human Services, told the board county policy brings purchase-of-service agreements at $175,000 or more to the board and that the department is keeping its overall purchase-of-service budget flat for 2026. Amy Thompson, director of adult and family services, highlighted a five‑year partnership with Goodwill Easterseals that provides an evidence‑based supported employment model for adults with serious mental illness. Thompson said the program is fully grant‑funded through the county’s adult mental health initiative, grew from one FTE to three FTEs, and currently serves 52 active participants. Thompson noted a 2025 independent fidelity review found the program to be in good standing and praised its coordination with targeted case managers.
Commissioner Wright said the program demonstrates cost‑savings potential, arguing that “for every person that we return to employment … we reduce the amount of money that it would take for the county to do other services for that person.” Thompson said recent increases in adult mental health initiative funds supported the program’s growth and that staff will consider measured expansion where needed.
Tiffany Kieser, associate director in child and family services, described a crisis nursery contract with Families First that provides short‑term childcare (birth–12) to reduce risk and prevent abuse. Kieser said Families First served about 307 children in emergency childcare (15 overnight) in 2024 and about 247 children (11 overnight) in 2025; she added that roughly 41 percent of 2024 cases were households waiting for childcare assistance funding. The services rely on licensed centers and in‑home providers.
A motion to approve the purchase‑of‑service agreements was made (record shows Commissioner Tine as the mover, Commissioner Wright as the second) and passed by voice vote.
The board noted the department will return with one additional agreement anticipated at a future meeting and reiterated that the overall purchase‑of‑service spending is intended to remain flat for 2026.
