Otter Tail County Seeks Technology Partner for Dual Status Youth
Otter Tail County issued a Request for Proposals on Nov. 12, 2025 titled "Dual Status Youth Technology Solution" seeking a vendor to create a cross agency data system for youth involved with both child welfare and juvenile justice. The project aims to support early intervention and reduce out of home placements, and local vendors must submit proposals by Dec. 3, 2025 to be considered.
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Otter Tail County has launched a procurement to build a shared data platform intended to improve coordination between child welfare and juvenile justice services for dual status youth. The county posted a Request for Proposals on Nov. 12, 2025 titled "Dual Status Youth Technology Solution" and is inviting qualified vendors to submit electronic proposals by Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025 at 4:00 p.m.
The RFP was issued jointly by the county departments of Human Services and Probation and is available with related files on the county news page. Responses must be submitted electronically to [email protected]. Questions about the solicitation may be directed to Lynne Penke Valdes, Deputy Administrator, at [email protected]. The county notice includes a downloadable Request for Proposals document to guide vendor responses and outline submission requirements.
County officials framed the effort as a step toward more proactive, holistic support for young people who are involved with both systems. By consolidating data and improving reporting, the county hopes to identify needs earlier, coordinate services across agencies, prevent escalation to criminal involvement, and reduce the number of youth placed outside their homes. For residents, the technology could mean better targeted services, faster case coordination, and potentially fewer disruptions to families.
The procurement also raises practical and legal considerations for the local community. Any shared data system will need to protect sensitive information and comply with state and federal privacy rules that govern records in child welfare and juvenile justice cases. Vendors responding to the RFP will be expected to demonstrate secure data handling, interoperability with existing county systems, and capabilities for reporting that support evidence based interventions. The RFP documentation available on the county web page will provide details on technical, security, and reporting expectations.
This initiative aligns with broader trends in public sector service delivery where integrated information systems are used to improve outcomes and reduce costs. For Otter Tail County, the immediate impact will depend on the timeline for selecting a vendor and implementing the solution, and on how agencies, families, and community providers engage with the new tools. Community stakeholders who wish to follow the process or provide input are encouraged to monitor the county news page for updates, and to use the contact information in the RFP for specific inquiries.
The county emphasizes that this solicitation is intended to attract proposals from experienced technology partners who can implement a cross agency solution tailored to local needs. With the Dec. 3 submission deadline approaching, prospective vendors and interested residents should review the downloadable materials and direct questions to the deputy administrator before proposals are due.
