Overview: Empowering youth and transforming crisis care
Hennepin County’s newly expanded 24/7 mental health initiative is reversing historic disparities in community care and giving young people a direct seat at the table in their own treatment planning.
Hennepin County’s Family Response and Stabilization Services (FRSS) initiative has secured a four-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grant renewal following significant growth in its youth mental health intervention programs.
Launched with federal funding in October 2022, the program addresses systemic gaps in community-based care.
According to the Ramsey County Children’s Mental Health Collaborative, youth of color in Minnesota have been up to 50% less likely than white peers to receive community-based mental health support, which could lead to higher reliance on emergency rooms, out-of-home placements, and law enforcement during mental health crises.
Originally tested as a pilot program, FRSS now operates 24/7 across Hennepin County. In June 2025, organizers shortened the initial emergency response phase from 72 hours to 24 hours.
According to the county, the program has assisted more than 1,000 youth and families during the emergency response phase, and helped nearly 500 families with extended stabilization services.
In addition, the county reports that most participating youth successfully avoided emergency room visits, law enforcement involvement, or out-of-home placements during their care.
Alongside program expansion, Hennepin County’s Treatment Placement Screening Team implemented structural changes to give young people a direct voice in their care plans.
Youth can now participate in placement screening meetings in-person or virtually, submit written statements, or consult individually with team members beforehand. Case managers work directly with families before screenings to build transparency, while virtual access options have increased parent and caregiver attendance.
For inquiries regarding Family Response and Stabilization Services, community members and agencies can contact program staff at systemofcare@hennepin.us.