Services That We Provide:
FIRST CALLFirst Call for Help started out in 1974 as a "listening service" for residents of Itasca County. First Call branched out into Information and Referral in 1976 and received 501(c)3 nonprofit status. At this point, First Call extended its service to 24 hours a day, utilizing volunteers from across the county as well as the staff (of 2 employees). Now, 32 years later, First Call has 5 staff members, 25 volunteers and provides information and referral to 7 counties. In 2005, First Call made over 21,900 referrals to callers (up from 1,300 the first year of operations).
The agency has also expanded into after-hours coverage for many local agencies and services through "Purchase of Service" contracts. Itasca County Health and Human Services contracts with us to answer after hours for Child and Adult Protection as well as their other assistance programs. We also have POS contracts with Kootasca Community Action Energy Assistance, Weatherization, and Housing programs, the Advocates for Family Peace, the Itasca Alliance Against Sexual Assault, and the Koochiching County Crisis Line (through Koochiching County Human Services and Northland Recovery - International Falls). Along with these contracts, we are the initial point of contact for other nonprofit agencies including Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Alateen, Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, the Salvation Army, Itasca Hospice, Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and a multitude of support groups and hotlines. Many of these agencies and programs advertise using our telephone numbers for their contact information.
2-1-1
On Friday, July 21, 2000, the FCC assigned 2-1-1 for human services information and referral nationwide. Each state public utility or public service commission is now charged with determining who should be awarded the number in that state and how it will be implemented. As information and referral centers have developed in response to the needs of their communities, their funding sources vary. In the state of Minnesota, it is funded mainly with United Way dollars.
In partnership with The Greater Twin Cities United Way/2-1-1 in the Metro area as well as 4 other regions throughout the state, we are now providing 24-hour information and referral services to Aitkin, Beltrami, Cass, Clearwater, Itasca, Koochiching and Lake of the Woods Counties. Because we were already providing 24-hour coverage, it was a natural addition for us to join in the advocacy for 2-1-1. Close to half of our nation's states have already adopted 2-1-1 and have seen approximately a 40% increase in call volume. We are proud to be a part of this cutting edge program. Of the 40,000 agencies, programs and services available in our statewide database, we are currently responsible for the entry and upkeep of over 3,500.
CRISIS RESPONSE TEAM (CRT)
Crisis is a daily occurrence for some people. It is both a time of risk and a time of opportunity. It is a time of risk because of an increased chance for suicide, violence, chemical/alcohol abuse and emotional instability. Crisis also offers a chance to grow and learn new skills or new methods of coping. People are often able to listen to others or more willing to try different solutions when they are unhappy or dissatisfied.
In 1997, after the closing of the Itasca Medical Center psychiatric unit, and the Moose Lake Regional Treatment Center in 1994, a group of mental health care providers, medical care providers and social/human service employees collaborated to formulate a plan to meet the mental health needs of individuals in Itasca County. Thus the Itasca County Crisis Response Team was formed. This team is composed of mental health professionals who can provide face-to-face or telephone crisis intervention service as well as consultation services to professionals in the community. The team is accessed through First Call for Help. Trained staff and volunteers man these phone lines 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Necessary funding is made available through a joint effort between the county and state Departments of Health & Human Services.
Professionals working on the Crisis Response Team hope to help people cope and, if necessary, help people connect with a therapist for ongoing assistance. Team members are available to talk with callers face-to-face or on the telephone. We will assist if a person is feeling suicidal, having difficulty with medications, experiencing behavioral problems, contemplating psychiatric hospitalization, or experiencing other emotional problems. Calls from friends and family members of these people are also common. Callers can contact the Itasca County Crisis Response Team by dialing (218) 326-8565 or (800) 442-8565.
Itasca Resource Center (IRC)
In February of 1997, First Call joined a collaborative with other agencies to create a "one stop shop" for clients needing assistance. This group of providers in the newly formed Itasca Resource Center included First Call, Itasca County Health & Human Services, Kootasca Community Action, the Minnesota Workforce Center, and School District #318 Early Childhood Special Education and Family Education. First Call contracts with the other building "partners" to provide services at the Front Desk of the IRC. These two I&R Specialists answer telephone lines and direct clients for the entire building. They also assist clients with information and referral to locate resources outside of our building. They have access to the database utilized by First Call/2-1-1 with over 40,000 statewide resources available in it. Several other counties have since used the IRC as a model to create their own collaboratives.
Meth/Drug Hotine
Our newest service offered is a "hotline" directed at our growing methamphetamine and
other drug problems in the community. Last year many community agencies and residents
gathered together to join the fight against Meth. One group that stemmed from these
meetings was one working toward establishment of a hotline to help users and their
families and friends to reach out for information options and treatment.
It was not financially feasible to create an entirely new telephone hotline.
Thus, First Call offered to work with this group to encourage callers to utilize our
already established lines and have us triage callers to direct them to appropriate
assistance. Following the procedures established through Alcoholics Anonymous and
Narcotics Anonymous, First Call will utilize a list of volunteers familiar with drug
treatment and recovery to have them contact the caller for telephone support.
These volunteers, along with First Call staff and volunteers, have been attending
various trainings and community information meetings to be sure that we are as familiar
as possible with the drug issues.
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