Kathie Doty

What: Hennepin County–University of Minnesota Liaison position created

Who: Hennepin County, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA)

Contacts: Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Koblick, 612-348-7886; Tom Scott, director, Center for Urban and Regional Affairs, 612-625-1551; Kathie Doty, Hennepin County-University of Minnesota Liaison, 612-625-4383

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (11/24/2004) -- Hennepin County and the University of Minnesota Center for Urban and Regional Affairs are jointly funding a new liaison position that will strengthen the relationship and explore greater alignment between the two entities, including bringing the most current University research and practices to bear on services and decisions of the state’s largest county.

Hennepin County initiated efforts with the University in 2002 to develop a strategic program to foster deeper collaboration. Initial discussions focused on truancy, uncompensated care and developmental disabilities. But it became apparent early on that the interchange was “boundless in scope” and required a full-time position to direct the effort. Hennepin County Commissioner Linda Koblick was a key player in developing this initiative – in particular, sharing opportunities for strategic leadership.

“For some time we have felt it was important to establish a strategic alignment between Hennepin County and the University,” says Koblick. “This initiative formalizes the exchange of ideas and dialogue between county staff who provide services and academic staff who conduct research on public policy issues.”

The University has just been praised, in an independent audit by Deloitte Touche LLP, as ‘a model of fiscal responsibility.’ Hennepin County, in turn, has been pursuing numerous initiatives to work better, smarter and more cost-effectively, including dealing with more than $100 million in budget cuts over a two-year period. “It makes sense that the state’s largest county and largest educational institution strategically coordinate our efforts to find the best solutions in this era of shrinking resources,” says Koblick. “Through this initiative, our two institutions will work together in partnership, capitalize on each other’s relative strengths, and use our resources more efficiently.”

The relations liaison, Kathie Doty, a University employee, will report to both the director of the University Center for Urban and Regional Affairs and the Hennepin County deputy administrator. The county and University have worked together successfully in the past, including program collaboration, county participation in university advisory groups, and fellowship and internship programs that provide on-the-job learning experience for students in county programs. The University has worked with Hennepin on such issues as the effectiveness of out-of-home placement of children, and the University’s Medical School has a longstanding partnership with Hennepin County Medical Center.

A kick-off forum to establish goals for the initiative and identify opportunities for collaboration will he held in January.

Current CURA News | CURA Events | CURA News Archive