MN HF5307

Commissioner of human services shall provide a grant to Otter Tail county to conduct a pilot project for engagement services under Minnesota Statutes, section 253B.041.

Grantee must develop a system to respond to engagement service requests and provide services including assertive attempts to engage individuals in voluntary mental illness treatment for at least 90 days, engagement of support systems with suicide prevention education, and collaboration to meet immediate needs such as housing, food assistance, disability verification, medication management, and medical treatment.

Engagement services staff must complete person-centered care training and may include mobile crisis providers, certified peer specialists, community-based treatment program staff, and homeless outreach workers.

Commissioner of management and budget must formally evaluate outcomes using an experimental or quasi-experimental design, measuring impact on civil commitments, treatment engagement, police involvement with individuals exhibiting serious mental illness symptoms, and other measures.

$250,000 is appropriated from the general fund in fiscal year 2025 for the pilot project, with funds available until June 30, 2027, and an unspecified portion available for transfer to the commissioner of management and budget to conduct the evaluation.