Projects in Mental Health, Family Services Receive Financial Boost
Region 5 communities receive nearly $450,000 in Innovation Funding
The Sourcewell Board of Directors formally approved four community initiatives in Region 5 to receive $446,552 through Innovation Funding. The projects were recommended for Board approval following a May 22 Cities and Counties Innovation Funding Review Day.
At the May Review Day, regional leaders voted to recommend the top three projects - equaling more than $370,000 - to the Board. At its June 18 meeting, the Sourcewell Board opted to add one additional project as presented as part of the overall funding, bringing the total funded dollar amount to $446,552.
Projects receiving funding include:
Crow Wing County/Region 5+ Comprehensive Re-Entry Project – $278,000 to further integrate this existing project to cover all Region 5+ counties. The Region 5+ Adult Mental Health Initiative (AMHI) has developed and implemented the Comprehensive Re-Entry Program regionally through Sourcewell funding received in 2018. The program addresses coordination of services between law enforcement, jails, courts, hospitals, counties, and tribes in the region to provide a continuum of care to individuals with acute or chronic mental or chemical health issues who become involved with law enforcement.
Morrison County Public Health Enhanced Family Home Visiting – $48,811 to support a program targeting expectant mothers and young families in Cass, Crow Wing, Morrison, Todd, and Wadena counties. Funding would allow public health nursing staff to become trained in a variety of programs to provide services and resources to expectant and new mothers in areas including mental health, breastfeeding, postpartum depression, positive interactions between caregiver and child, and self-care.
Cass County/Region Five Development Commission Regional Yellow Ribbon Program – $45,700 to create a comprehensive network that connects and coordinates agencies, organizations, resources, and employers throughout Region 5 to proactively support service members and military families. This is completed by setting strategic direction, ensuring participation with community members, service delivery, specialty project completion, evaluation structure, and providing leadership to new and existing yellow ribbon programs.
City of Pillager Dewatering Equipment – $74,041 to purchase dewatering equipment to be used throughout Region 5. A combination of aging infrastructure, low ground, and a high water table means dewatering equipment is in strong demand. Dewatering is removing ground water, typically done during repairs or replacement of water or sewer mains. Locally owned equipment will reduce repair time and reduce costs.
Since 2014-2015, cities, counties, and schools across Region 5 have received more than $10 million through Sourcewell's Innovation Funding program.
Sourcewell (formerly National Joint Powers Alliance) is a self-supporting government organization, partnering with education, government, and nonprofits to boost student and community success. Created in 1978 as one of Minnesota's nine service cooperatives, we offer training and shared services to our central-Minnesota members. Throughout North America, we offer a cooperative purchasing program with over 325 awarded vendors on contract. Sourcewell is driven by service and the ability to strategically reinvest in member communities.