Purpose of the Bill

The bill is designed to provide funding for mental health crisis services specifically in Dakota County, Minnesota. This initiative aims to enhance the availability of support and improve the response to mental health crises in the community.

Main Provisions

• The bill appropriates $3,400,000 from the general fund for the fiscal year 2026.
• The funds are allocated to the commissioner of human services, who will distribute them as a grant to Dakota County.
• The grant is intended to support various mental health crisis services, which include:
  • Mobile Crisis Response: Teams that can be dispatched to provide immediate, on-the-spot assistance during mental health emergencies.
  • Crisis Follow-up and Stabilization Services: Services that ensure continued support and assistance after the initial crisis, helping individuals achieve stability.
  • Embedded Social Workers: Placing social workers within local public safety agencies to assist in handling situations involving mental health issues.

Significant Changes

• This allocation represents a new one-time appropriation specifically directed to enhance and fund mental health crisis services and infrastructure in Dakota County. It reflects a focused effort to integrate mental health support within local public services, like police departments, potentially changing how public safety is managed in terms of mental health.

Relevant Terms

mental health crisis services, mobile crisis response, crisis follow-up, stabilization services, embedded social workers, Dakota County.