The Link

“Process the organization used to review the 990: the finance committee of the board reviews the 990 first, pending their approval the 990 is sent to the full board of directors for review. The 990 is then discussed at the next scheduled full board meeting where a vote is taken to approve the 990 for submission.”

“Conflict of interest policy/enforcement: the board of directors individually signs a conflict of interest policy acknowledgement annually after questions/discussion at the first board meeting of each new year. The employee handbook explains the policy and employees' acknowledge receipt of the handbook at the beginning of their employment and annually thereafter.”

“Process for determining compensation - officers & key employees: for the organization's executive director, an annual review is performed by the board's personnel committee, who also determines compensation. An evaluation form is preparered by both the reviewee and reviewer and then compared and discussed at the time of the review. The executve director and other key employees both sign the review. For the organization's officers or key employees, an annual review is performed by the employee's supervisiors. An evaluation form is prepared by both the reviewee and reviewers and then compared and discussed at the time of the review. The employee and supervisor both sign the supervisor's copy of the review. The link uses a uniform process for raises each year that includes a mix of cola and merit based increases. The executive director signs off on all employee raises.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements: the documents are available to the public upon request.”

“Organization's mission: to build a supportive community network that links youth and their families to their inner strength through life skills, education, advocacy, supportive housing and a dynamic network of social services to transform lives.”

“Supportive Housing provides housing and individualized case management, employment support, independent living coaching to support homeless youth and young families complete the transition to successful and self-reliant adulthood. The Link's site based supportive housing programs (Lindquist Apartments in Hennepin County and Lincoln Place in Dakota County) as well as the Hennepin County funded "Housing First" scattered site program, The Young Families Program and the Transitional Living Program (TLP) funded through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), provide safe, stable, and supportive housing for homeless youth and young families. The programs provide a total of 143 units of supportive housing for young people who have run away from unsafe homes, been kicked out of their home, aged out of the foster care system, or who experience barriers to mainstream housing. A disproportionate number of our housing residents also have diagnosed mental health issues that make independent living challenging. Through our services, youth and young families find a safe, stable, and independent home from which they can succeed academically, plan for economic self-sufficiency, and learn the many practical skills required to live independently. One-on-one case management with a caring adult is its foundation. The case manager helps residents connect to their strengths and set goals for education, employment, and health. Independent living classes and a resident-led council also help participants prepare for a self-sufficient life.”

“Juvenile Justice Programs: The Juvenile Supervision Center (JSC), located in Minneapolis City Hall, is collaboration amongst Hennepin County, the City of Minneapolis, Minneapolis Public Schools and The Link. The JSC provides a safe haven and immediate response for youth after they are picked up by the police for truancy, curfew violations, and "low level" juvenile offenses that are often early warning signs of youth disengagement and risk. Rather than bringing a youth to detention or just ignoring the violation, police can use this 24-hour drop-off point both to ensure that the youth are returned to their family, school or guardian; and connected with community resources as needed. The goal is to halt the youth's progression into the juvenile justice system and increase safe connections to family, school and community. At the JSC, Link staff interview each youth to assess needs, talk with parents when they arrive, ensure the youth is returned to the most appropriate safe environment, and provide referrals to any needed community resources. Youth who present higher levels of need receive more intensive follow-up as they are connected with ongoing case management within The Link. The Evening Reporting Center (ERC) located in Brooklyn Park serves youth on probation for mid-high level criminal activity. The ERC offers programming designed to build youth's assets through structured, positive, year-round activities after school hours and Saturdays, when the most youth crimes occur. This program is a detention alternative for youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Youth participating in the ERC programming take part in groups and activities to focus on anger management and conflict resolution, employment and job skills, court order compliance, and other supportive topics with the goal of preventing future criminal behavior.”

“School Matters is an intervention program for youth (ages 10-17) that provides intensive one-on-one case management to youth referred from the Hennepin County Attorney's Office for truancy. Youth are referred because they have 7 or more unexcused absences. Case managers build trusting relationships with youth and their families, through visiting the youth in their home, school and community sites, and serving as advocates, coaches and guides. Close communication with parents, schools, probation officers, and the Juvenile Court helps to support the youth's behavior, school attendance, and achievement plans. Youth also participate in both group resilience trainings and one-on-one coaching sessions to help them develop crucial social-emotional skills such as respect for self and others, making good choices in tough situations, and expressing themselves positively. The youth are provided core resiliency-building experiences with a wide array of after-school and summer groups, including (but not limited to) work experience, tutoring, service learning, and gender-responsive support groups. Case managers also refer the youth their family to needed resources elsewhere in the community as needed (housing, health insurance, food, clothing, mental, physical and chemical health care, alternative schools, and more).”

“Safe Harbor has three programs-the West Metro Regional Navigator which is a centralized point of contact and service for sex trafficked youth in Hennepin, Scott and Carver counties; the Passageways Emergency Shelter and Housing Program which is a six bed emergency shelter and five unit housing program for sex trafficked youth with a variety of on-site supportive services and the Safe Harbor Supportive Services which include mental health therapy, family reunification and aftercare services.”

“The Link, in partnership with the new state Safe Harbor Law, opened three programs for sexually exploited youth in 2014. In September of 2014 we opened our West Metro Regional Navigator Program, our Passageways Emergency Shelter and Housing Program and our Mental Health Program all specifically designed to support sexually exploited youth and in coordination with the state's Safe Harbor Law and No Wrong Door Response.”