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Blue Earth County highlights First Steps program, approves health and drug-court agreements
Summary
Human Services presented the First Steps family-support program and the board approved continuation of a drug-court cooperative agreement ($90,000) and action on public-health refugee/TB funding; staff described a possible regional SCCBI children’s grant contingent on further approvals.
Blue Earth County’s Human Services division reported program updates and received board approval on several contracts and personnel matters during the June 23 meeting.
Phil Clauson presented two action items for Human Services: continuation of a small public-health contract to address health disparities and tuberculosis-related services for resettled refugees (a new five-year grant period, roughly $2,000 per year, noting amounts may vary year to year), and an amendment to the cooperative agreement between Blue Earth County Community Corrections and the State of Minnesota (Fifth Judicial District) to continue probation services for the county’s Adult Treatment Court for fiscal year 2027 at $90,000. The board approved both action items by voice vote.
Phil also described a possible regional award through the South Central Community Based Initiative (SCCBI) for children’s services, with a proposed structure of roughly $295,000 per year for up to five years pending further approvals and details; he emphasized administrative questions about fiscal-host responsibilities and that the regional partners must consider the proposal before any county commitment.
Erica Sutton presented the county’s First Steps program, a 13-year-old initiative that helps new parents connect with resources — including referrals for financial assistance, housing, employment, diapers and transportation — and highlighted the program’s co-location with the Mankato Clinic for warm handoffs. She noted recent funding from a Medica grant, the Greater Mankato Area United Way, the Mankato Clinic Foundation and Blue Earth County. Erica said the on-site coordinator, Teresa, helps families with immediate needs and that the program has produced measurable client stories, including examples of families overcoming medical or logistical challenges.
Commissioners asked whether First Steps serves needs beyond financial assistance; Sutton said referrals cover many types of needs and praised trends showing two-parent attendance at appointments. The board praised the program’s work and approved the Human Services action items.
What the board approved: continuation of the cooperative agreement for Adult Treatment Court services for FY2027 at $90,000 and the public-health refugee/TB contract for the new grant term; staff will proceed with contract finalization and administrative steps. The SCCBI funding opportunity remains informational pending further approvals.
