A program of Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Financial counseling is available from Duluth. LSS is not able to provide these services from it’s Bemidji office.
Budget and Debt Counseling: Trained counselors help you develop a workable budget and an action plan to address all of your debts, and provide coaching and nonjudgmental counseling on all your options for debt repayment based on your individual situation. Services are free.
Debt Management Plan: A good solution if you are being buried in late fees and high interest or even if you are on time but just making no headway in paying down your debts. On a debt management plan you pay your creditors through one payment each month to LSS, allowing a faster way to get debts paid off.
The American Cancer Society offers free comprehensive cancer information with day to day emotional support, and a 24 hour information phone line. Free temporary lodging in the Twin Cities or Rochester for families who must travel outside their community for care. The ACS also offers classes, access to a Cancer Network, and special products for women with cancer.
Before child advocacy centers were created, child victims of crime often had to tell their stories to more than a dozen adults – police officers, prosecutors, doctors and social workers. They could be shuttled all over town giving depositions and getting medical exams. There was very little coordination between the various agencies. Consequently, children were traumatized repeatedly as they sought help. In some of the saddest cases, abused children simply fell through the cracks in the system that was supposed to save them. Likewise, prior to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Programs and Family Violence Intervention Programs victims were experiencing long waits in the emergency room, a lack of privacy, nervous and unskilled examiners, insensitivity, and improper evidence collection or loss of evidence.
In 2005, the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians, North Country Health Services, MeritCare Clinic of Bemidji, Midwest Children’s Resource Center of Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of MN – St. Paul, MN and others joined to form a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization to develop and operate a medical-model family violence center to serve the needs of Northern Minnesota.
FACNM is the only medical-model assessment center that currently exists in this region of the state. Moreover, the FACNM is one of the only centers in America to serve the needs of child sexual and physical abuse, adult sexual assault and domestic violence under one roof.
FACNM serves the entire ninth judicial district which includes the counties of Kittson, Roseau, Marshall, Pennington, Red Lake, Polk, Norman, Mahnomen, Clearwater, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Hubbard, Koochiching, Itasca, Cass, Crow Wing, and Aitkin. In addition, the FACNM serves Red Lake, Leech Lake, and White Earth Reservations.
Today, all of the services needed by victims and their families – forensic interviews, medical exams, referrals and family support services – are clustered around one central location. FACNM is the hub where representatives from many disciplines meet to discuss and make decisions about the investigation, assessment, treatment and prosecution of victim related cases. They work together in the best interests of the victim, providing an immediate response and ongoing support to help children and families recover from the trauma of abuse or violence.
A community-based group of individuals and agencies coordinating regional suicide prevention efforts. The mission is to promote healthy communities by eliminating suicide in the region through advocacy and community involvement. This group is facilitated by the Beltrami Area Suicide Prevention Program Coordinator.
Local Crisis Line in Beltrami, Hubbard, & Clearwater Counties: 1-800-422-0045
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
Texting Crisis line, Text “LIFE” to 61222
TXT4LIFE, link to website
An Ombudsman is an independent government official responsible for reviewing government and government regulated agencies in an effort to ensure that their practices are fair, reasonable and appropriate. To do this, the ombudsman: Receives complaints, reviews, investigates and if appropriate, makes recommendations to remedy the complaints.
The Ombudsman is an independent governmental official who recieves complaints against government (and government regulated) agencies and/or its officials, who investigates, and who if the complaints are justified, takes action to remedy the complaints. The Office of Ombudsman Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (OMHDD) provides resources in regarding: 1) Client Services, 2) Medical Review, and 3) Civil Commitment Training.
An Ombudsman serves people enrolled in Minnesota Health Care Programs including Medical Assistance (MA) and MinnesotaCare. An Ombudsman can help enrollees get needed care and resolve billing problems by providing information and assistance with the managed care grievance and appeal process available through the health plan and the state; working as a problem solver, a neutral investigator and an advocate for fair and equal treatment.
Intake/assessment, prevention education on fetal alcohol spectrum, positive cultural education, life skills, talking circles, cradleboard project, nutrition education, referrals to community agencies.
There is no office so please call our number and leave a voicemail. We will get back to you within a few hours. We offer person-to-person service and support to individuals in need with such items as food/gas/clothing vouchers, utilities, rent, deposits, repairs, etc. We then schedule a home visit or meet with you in Bemidji. Even while we may be able to help with some immediate need, financial or household items, our primary focus is to partner with you and help you in the long term.
Options is a non-profit organization committed to assisting individuals with disabilities to live independently in the communities of their choice and to eliminate barriers of attitude, architecture and communication from the environment.
Options: Interstate Resource Center for Independent Living (IRCIL) is a Resource Center for Independent Living. We are a private, nonprofit center that provides services to maximize the independence of individuals with disabilities. We are funded by various State and Federal grants, as well as private donations.
We are a consumer-controlled, community-based, cross-disability, non-residential center that is designed and operated within a local community by individuals with disabilities and provide an array of independent living services . Our services are free of charge to individuals requesting them. Since October 1986, Options: IRCIL has worked to make our service area a better place to live, work and play for people with disabilities.
We serve counties in Northeast North Dakota and Northwest Minnesota.
North Dakota counties include: Benson, Cavalier, Grand Forks, Griggs, Nelson, Pembina, Ramsey, Steele, Towner, Traill, Walsh, Wells, Eddy and Foster.
Minnesota counties include: Kittson, Mahnomen, Marshall, Norman, Pennington, Polk, Red Lake, Roseau, Lake of the Woods, Beltrami, Clearwater, and Hubbard.
Services
Housing Matters connects and supports clients in the following areas:
Landlord and Tenancy Supports
Community Resources
In Home Case Management
Independent Living Skills
Assistance in understanding benefits
And many other services
To raise awareness about stroke and brain injury and enhance the quality of life for all Minnesotans coping with it’s sudden and long term effects. We do this through advocacy and public policy, resource facilitation services – which provide personal and one-on-one connection to information and resources, case management, educational and volunteer opportunities, and outreach to underserved and communities of color throughout Minnesota.
Purpose: To raise awareness about stroke and brain injury and enhance the quality of life for all Minnesotans coping with it’s sudden and long term effects. We do this through advocacy and public policy, resource facilitation services – which provide personal one-on-one connection to information and resources, case management, educational and volunteer opportunities, and outreach to underserved and communities of color throughout Minnesota.
We provide unbiased information, reviewed by medical experts, so our readers can make an informed decision on the next steps in their, or a loved one’s, drug rehabilitation journey. Our goal is to help individuals and loved ones by providing them with information and support on different addictions and recovery resources available to them. We are an informational website that connects addicts and their families with the help they need to put their lives together.
A 501(c)3 nonprofit agency. Our mission is to work with individuals and families to grow a healthy community.
Services include Mental Health Counseling/Therapy (specializing in working with survivors of childhood trauma and intimate partner violence; teen through adult) and Advocacy (support and referrals for individuals who are affected by bullying or abusive behavior and do not qualify for services with local intimate partner violence/sexual assault agencies).
To speak with an advocate call: 218-209-7000
Temporary and emergency shelter for homeless families and pregnant women.
Village of Hope promotes self worth and independence through the provision of temporary shelter and supportive services for families experiencing homelessness. We are unable to house individuals without families.
Residents are selected in accordance with the following eligibility criteria:
- The family unit must be homeless as defined by HUD guidelines.
- The primary applicant must be at least 18 years old and either pregnant or have primary guardianship/custody of one or more dependent children ages 17 or younger.
- All qualified households whose income at the time of initial occupancy does not exceed 50% or greater of the statewide or area median household income as determined by HUD and adjusted for families of five or more.
- Extended family members residing with the family prior to application for shelter at Village of Hope will be included in the definition of the “family unit”.
- The applicant must not be currently abusing alcohol or drugs.
- The applicant must be stable on psychiatric medications and prescribed medications for medical conditions and be willing to take them as prescribed.
- The applicant’s criminal history will be reviewed on an individual basis. Certain offenses may result in denial of admission. These may include sexual offenses requiring the tenant to register with local officials, violent crimes against persons or property, assault, arson or destruction of property.
- The applicant must not pose a risk of serious harm to self or others.
- The applicant must express a definite and informed desire to enter the emergency shelter program, including actively participating in a housing search and case management program.
- The applicant must be willing to accept group living including:
~A tolerance and respect for other shelter residents and staff,
~A willingness to adhere to shelter rules,
~A willingness to fully participate in maintaining the shelter and sharing cleaning and maintenance duties. - If applicant is eligible for Group Residential Housing (GRH), the applicant must be willing to assist VILLAGE OF HOPE in verifying the requirements including documentation of:
~Disability and/or chemical dependency,
~Income and/or asset verification confirming applicant fits the requirements of the program.
Intake Procedures
Clients or referents call the central intake number (218-751-0722). General questions are answered regarding eligibility, homelessness, and anticipated openings. Referents that are not able to be accommodated immediately are placed on an optional waiting list while every attempt is made to assist the referent in identifying an alternative shelter plan.
Upon vacancy of a family unit the waiting list is reviewed and families with the highest level of need are invited to participate in the application process. This process includes the opportunity to:
1. View the facility
2. Review the terms of the agreement to participate in a housing search and case management
3. Review the resident rules
4. Sign releases of information to verify homelessness
5. Sign releases of information to verify income
Homelessness is determined by utilizing a checklist for eligibility and receiving the verification by a third party in writing, on the Minnesota Housing ”Housing Status Verification/Referral Form” whenever possible. In cases where no written independent verification is possible from a shelter, a case manager or other 3rd party, clients must complete and sign the Minnesota Housing “Housing Status Self-Certification Form” .
Once homelessness is verified, in writing, on the forms provided by Village of Hope, and exclusionary criteria are determined not applicable, applicants are forwarded to the Executive Director for review.
If an applicant is approved, they are accepted and will be allowed to move into Village of Hope. Once a room is available, the homeless advocates will coordinate a move-in date and time with the applicant.
A nonprofit that provides free services and resources to students of all ages to help them pursue postsecondary education.
Services we provide include:
• Individual assistance completing applications for admission, financial aid and scholarships
• College resource guides covering a range of topics related to preparing for and going to college
• Internet access for researching educational information and scholarship opportunities
• Access to career assessment tools
• Assistance developing educational plans
• Participation at college fairs, community events and other awareness activities
• One-on-one mentoring: in person, virtual, phone, text or email
• Small group workshops on topics of interest (FAFSA, college admissions, essays, scholarships, and more)
• Encouragement, support and accountability
Below I’ve provided a link to The College Place and a link to our Opportunities Guides. The guides are also free of charge, and I encourage you to order as many as you need.
If you are interested in any of the services listed above, feel free to contact me via email or phone, or you can set up an appointment with me using Calendly to learn more. Here is my link: https://calendly.com/mandyschram
Link to The College Place: https://www.ecmc.org/studentseducators/college-access-centers/the-college-place-northern-minnesota
Link to the Opportunities books: https://www.ecmc.org/studentseducators/student-resources/opportunities-guide-and-workbook
usiness hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CT
Local phone: 218-308-7933
minnesotatcp@ecmc.org
Family Safety Network provides services for victims of domestic violence and their families in Hubbard, Cass and Clearwater Counties. Our services are person centered and client driven. We use trauma informed practices to provide services which include: one on one advocacy, violence and crisis intervention, safety planning, support groups, financial empowerment education, legal clinics and legal advocacy, court accompaniment, and assistance for housing stability. In addition, we offer one on one and group training by a certified Trauma Informed Practitioner. Family Safety Network can be reached through our crisis line 24 hours a day at 800-324-8151.
Family Safety Network Equity Commitment
We believe it is our duty to lead the fight against domestic violence in making the changes we want to see in society so that all members of our communities can feel safe, secure, and valued. In doing so, our charge is to:
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Lead, with compassion, for social justice
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Stand in the gap to support all those who are affected by inequity.
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Create space at the table for all victims/survivors to contribute.
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Support economic growth in diversity.
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Build a society that is committed to engaging the voices and respecting the humanity of all people.
We celebrate diversity and its power to improve any endeavor and the values that guide our work are:
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Compassion
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Inclusion
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Trust
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Love
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Engaging all voices
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Respect for human dignity
Our work to advance equity is guided by the following principles:
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Equity is a basic human right; everyone benefits from equity.
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Action is a proactive strategy and response to hate; we are willing to challenge injustice and untruths at play in society today.
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The system we operate in contributes to inequity; we strive to understand the role our system plays in perpetuating oppression and to address the dynamics that support it.
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We value and engage all voices in this conversation. We are especially committed to incorporating and elevating the voice of lived experience with domestic violence.
We will work in multiple ways to make progress towards our vision of an equitable system and society. Our core strategies include:
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Applying relevant theories of development to our work, pulling from all fields of practice within our network.
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Acting as a leader and a voice for courageous action, taking stance on issues and events of the day within the framework of our core values and vision for the future.
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Educating individuals and organizations that are working to expand and accelerate practices around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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Actively investing in the success and sustainability of our commitment including working with funders and partner who share our values and vision for the future.
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Creating spaces for brave conversations by:
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Keeping equity as a central consideration in everything our network does.
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Working to ensure that all who engage with the network are also engaging in the core challenge of advancing equity for our communities.
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Working collectively as a network to multiply our impact and achieve more than a single individual or organization can achieve alone.
Family Safety Network (FSN) is a non-profit organization providing advocacy, support, and referral services to domestic violence victims and their families since 1993. Family Safety Network was founded by a group of concerned citizens who saw a need for this service in the community. We have been actively working with victim and survivors of domestic violence since then.
Family Safety Network provides services for victims of domestic violence and their families in Hubbard, Cass and Clearwater Counties. Our services are person centered and client driven. We use trauma informed practices to provide services which include: one on one advocacy, violence and crisis intervention, safety planning, support groups, financial empowerment education, legal clinics and legal advocacy, court accompaniment, and assistance for housing stability. In addition, we offer one on one and group training by a certified Trauma Informed Practitioner. Family Safety Network can be reached through our crisis line 24 hours a day at 800-324-8151.
What We Do
In the last four years our numbers have increased, and our program has responded by adding programs and education opportunities for those we serve. Currently Family Safety Network offers:
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Financial Empowerment Education
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Peer Support Group
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Legal Clinics and Legal Kiosks
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Mental Health Services through Wellness Matters
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Certified Trauma Informed Practitioners and Care
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Certified Trauma Informed Training
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Hotel/Motel Shelter Voucher System
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Rapid Re-housing through our partnership with BiCAP
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Person Centered Advocacy Plan with Case Management
On any given day in the state of Minnesota, 1,975 adults and children are victims of domestic violence and 47.7% of those happen in rural Minnesota. Over the past 12 months we have provided 13,133 services to clients throughout our area townships. We have assisted 703 families: including 60 homeless clients and 151 clients needing emergency shelter. We provided emergency financial assistance to 516 victims and their children.
Last year we shared that our most pressing emerging need would be shelter. Today, we are happy to share that we were able to create a program using the Hotel/Motel Voucher Shelter System. There are no Domestic Violence Shelters in our service area; this program allows us to provide emergency shelter at the time of crisis and our programs allow us to create a person-centered advocacy plan to move families to housing stability and break the cycle of abuse.
Community Resource Connections:
Our goal is to help you gain access to the services that will allow you to participate in preventative health care. Staying healthy is easier, and far less expensive, that getting well.
We are established nonprofit service providers and caregivers in your community. We are NOT county, state or federal employees, nor do we work for health management systems like Prime West Health. We are reimbursed through contracts and grants that enable us to serve you without charging for that service.
We are trained and certified by MNsure to assist with online application for health insurance in Minnesota. The online application is faster and more reliable than paper applications submitted to the county system.
We work cooperatively with your County and State Human Service Departments, Minnesota Care, and MNsure. We serve as your advocate and guide. We also work with area MNsure Brokers who can help you choose the best Qualified Health Plan; if that is what you qualify for through the MNsure application system.
Staff in all of our locations respond to this number: 218-333-0880
How Our Services Work:
- You call a convenient site and schedule an appointment
- We explain how MNsure works and what items are needed at your appointment
- We provide computer and internet access; and we enter your data
- We provide document printing and faxing at no cost to you
- We help you create your own MNsure online account
- We guide you through the MNsure application question by question
- We assist you in interpreting application questions and how they relate to your situation
- You receive a copy of your completed application and account information
- We will keep a copy of your account information and application on file; but only with your written approval
- We help troubleshoot application problems
- We provide advocacy if an appeal is needed
- We cannot choose for your or recommend Qualified Health Plans; but will refer you to certified Brokers who are able to educate and guide you
A program for displaced homemakers in Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Todd, Wadena and Douglas counties. Offering career planning and job preparation workshops, pre-employment skills including resume writing, information and referral to services, career choice guidance, and group support. “Displaced Homemakers” include:
1) Spent at least two years in the home providing unpaid household services for family members
2) Been widowed, divorced, separated, or have a partner who has become disabled resulting in the loss of financial support.
The training and services offered provide a supportive environment designed to enhance and build self-esteem and confidence. Services are free to those who qualify.
Staples Campus: 218-894-5132
1830 Airport Road Staples, MN 56479
NBWS is a domestic violence emergency crisis shelter and advocacy program supporting victim/survivors of intimate partner violence. NBWS provides emotional support, items to meet basic needs (personal hygiene products, clothing, household items), transportation, and referrals to other resources, such as mental health services. NBWS also provides legal advocacy which includes assistance with filling out Orders for Protection and Harassment Restraining Orders, court accompaniment (for civil or criminal cases), tracking court matters on behalf of victim/survivors, and referrals to legal resources. NBWS provides individual, institutional and social change advocacy.
Crisis/TTY 218-751-0211
Toll-Free 800-588-6229 (24 hour)
Business 218-444-1395