The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is soliciting proposals for its Safe Harbor/No Wrong Door Regional Navigator Grant Program.
Donor Name: Minnesota Department of Health (MDH)
State: Minnesota
County: Selected Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 10/12/2023
Size of the Grant: Up to $136,000
Grant Duration: 2 years 5 months
Details:
The No Wrong Door model underlying the Safe Harbor system operates on the assumption that no single system or profession is adequate to identify and address the needs of at-risk and exploited youth. Youth deserve a trauma-informed multidisciplinary response from all intersecting community and system partners. Intersecting partners can include, but are not limited to, law enforcement, child protection/child welfare, prosecutors, juvenile justice professionals, youth serving community agencies, domestic and sexual violence agencies, child advocacy centers, homeless serving organizations, school professionals, mental health, health care, and substance use providers, and possibly more depending on the community.
Three state agencies distribute Safe Harbor and related funds: the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH); the Department of Human Services (DHS); and the Department of Public Safety (DPS). MDH administers funds for Regional Navigators, Supportive Services, protocol implementation, and evaluation. DHS administers funds for outreach, emergency shelter, supportive housing, and specialized foster care. Additionally, DPS administers funds to local and county law enforcement entities to aid in the investigation and coordination of sex trafficking cases.
MDH uses a public health approach to support a multidisciplinary response that ensures effective trauma-informed intervention and encourages prevention. Communities should look at factors that increase the risk of the sexual exploitation of Minnesota youth and adults. MDH continues to enhance the Safe Harbor system where Regional Navigators are striving to develop, strengthen, and maintain effective community and system responses for youth, while service providers offer accessible and effective services specialized for each community.
MDH prioritizes health equity and seeks to ensure underserved or disproportionately affected populations have equitable opportunities to achieve their desired health and wellness outcomes. Among MDH’s goals with this RFP is to support grants that further expand Safe Harbor access in underserved areas and populations. The 2021 Safe Harbor Evaluation Report, “An Evaluation of the Safe Harbor Initiative in Minnesota – Phase 4” found that while Safe Harbor was able to reach youth of different demographic backgrounds, recommended actions included increasing and improving access to services, especially for youth from marginalized cultures and Greater Minnesota, supporting more diverse and consistent staffing, and increasing the amount and cultural appropriateness of technical assistance, education, and training provided. During the last grant cycle (FY21-23), MDH made progress in increasing the cultural diversity of Safe Harbor grantees. It is MDH’s continued intent to broaden Safe Harbor’s reach and impact through funding for applicants serving community needs that would benefit from greater attention and are not currently well-represented within the Safe Harbor service network; increasing funds to Tribal Nations; and providing support for Regional Navigators to build more partnerships in their service areas.
Funding Information
- Estimated Amount to Grant per year: Up to $136,000
- Estimated Award Maximum per year: Up to $136,000
Project Period
Northwest New Region 1 – Regional Navigator Funds: January 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026 (Total duration of available funds). Organizations may reapply for new funds beginning July 1, 2026; there will be a new RFP process in spring 2026.
Eligibility Criteria
Organizations eligible to apply in this competitive process include, but are not limited to, local public health, social service agencies, nonprofit organizations, Tribal governments, units of government, schools and/or school districts, health care organizations, and other interested agencies demonstrating experience and/or expertise in working with sexually exploited youth and/or youth at-risk for sexual exploitation.
For more information, visit MDH.
