Title
Authorizing the execution of a Joint Powers Agreement with Ramsey County, Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District, and Independent School District 625--Saint Paul Public Schools, to collaboratively facilitate information sharing with the intent of better supporting vulnerable youth and their families.
Body
WHEREAS, Improved data sharing and integration of service delivery among providers has the potential to bring limited resources to bear on less costly early interventions that have the potential to expand opportunities for youth and reduce or avoid more expensive juvenile justice interventions; and
WHEREAS, This collaborative effort began with a 2015 community innovation grant from the Bush Foundation to engage the community to build a new triage/referral system of comprehensive, coordinated service delivery to improve outcomes for vulnerable young people; and
WHEREAS, Recent efforts have focused on establishing the legal framework and necessary safeguards to protect personal identifying information, while enabling cross-jurisdictional analysis for coordinated service delivery efforts to expand opportunities and support vulnerable youth and their families; and
WHEREAS, The Minnesota Joint Powers Act empowers governmental units to share their respective data within what is known as a “statewide system” under the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, and school districts are authorized to share federally protected student data as a member of this joint powers entity through the audit/evaluation and studies exceptions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); and
WHEREAS, The Joint Powers Board will oversee the privacy, security and use of protected data shared between parties of the agreement; and
WHEREAS, Data sharing will facilitate an early alert system to identify youth most likely to benefit from comprehensive early intervention; and
WHEREAS, Goals of the joint powers agreement are to improve educational and life outcomes and prevent future contact with the justice system; and now, therefore, be it
WHEREAS, The Joint Powers Board will engage community stakeholders before proceeding with the National Council on Crime and Delinquency Opportunity; and now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, that the City of Saint Paul, by the authority granted under Minnesota Statutes 471.59, authorizes the execution by the appropriate city officials of the attached Joint Powers Agreement with Ramsey County, , Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District, and Independent School District 625--Saint Paul Public Schools, to collaboratively facilitate information sharing consistent with state and federal laws for an indefinite period subject to the withdrawal and termination provisions of the agreement.