Two Social Services Programs Receive Awards From Association Of Minnesota Counties

Roseville MN

09 December, 2020

4:56 AM

Description

Press release from Ramsey County: December 8, 2020 Ramsey County's Child Welfare Diversion and Community Outreach and Stabilization Unit programs were two of five outstanding programs recognized at the Association of Minnesota Counties' (AMC) 2020 'County Achievement Awards' for exhibiting leadership excellence and innovation during this year's COVID-19 pandemic. AMC President Rich Sve, a Lake County commissioner, presented the County Achievement Awards during the association's virtual annual meeting on December 7. The award recipients were nominated by their counties and selected by a committee of county officials. COAST: Community Outreach and Stabilization Unit Program The Ramsey County Community Outreach & Stabilization (COST) Unit partners law enforcement and social workers to conduct outreach and follow up on crisis calls related to mental health, homelessness, and substance abuse. Law enforcement are often the first responders to individuals in crisis.When social workers are able to assist with these calls, they are able to provide crisis and stabilization assessment services that provide options for community-based services rather than highly restrictive and high consequence options. This a first of kind model in Ramsey County which has shown invaluable results in its first year. Child Welfare Diversion Program Ramsey County's Child Welfare Diversion Program was set up to divert child protection system involvement and unnecessary out-of-home placements, specifically for American Indian and African American children and families. Since January 2020, 20 would-be out-of-home placements have been diverted using an early intervention model that works to solve issues with families. Six additional placements have been diverted since mid-August by Ramsey County's new diversion team. Every placement diverted is a success for the family and the county. This press release was produced by Ramsey County. The views expressed are the author's own.