Community Connections
BASC coordinates a number of groups that focus on children’s mental health, educational success, family services and community resiliency. By sharing ideas and developing trust around the table, our partners are able to better address the needs of children and families
Panel for Academic and Social Success (PASS K12)
BASC facilitates PASS-K12 meetings where members meet to share ideas about how to increase school engagement of area youth. Local schools can apply for attendance incentive dollars, funded by BASC through a grant from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. During PASS K12, attendees learn about how each school is using that funding and what impact it is having. They also hear truancy court updates from the County Attorney’s Office and connect with County Social Services on truancy court case management and educational neglect interventions.
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Membership: Administration and support staff at all schools in Beltrami County; Beltrami County Health and Human Services administration and case managers; Minnesota Department of Corrections--Juvenile Probation; Law Enforcement; Beltrami County Attorney’s Office; Tribal Court staff; and BASC.
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Meetings: Three times throughout the academic year. Contact Brianna Hurlburt for meeting dates and times. briannah@beltrami.org
School-Based Mental Health Group
BASC facilitates the School-Based Mental Health Group and maintains a list of School-Based Mental Health services available at each school in the area.
This meeting serves to:
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Ensure care coordination and integration within school systems to reduce duplication and fragmentation of services
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Open up communication among partners
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Provide an opportunity for problem solving
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Assess effectiveness of service coordination and delivery
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Strengthen partnerships
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Review area agencies’ MN Department of Human Services School-Linked Mental Health grant status
Providing mental health supports during the school day eliminates the transportation barrier that so many families in our area face.
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Membership: Administrators from mental health agencies, practitioners and professionals serving in schools, school district administrators, special education directors, school district social workers, counselors and psychologists, school district liaison to families in transition; Beltrami Area Service Collaborative.
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Meetings: Monthly during the school year on the third Monday at 10:30 a.m. If you are interested in participating in School-Based Mental Health meetings, please contact Kim Anderson at kima@beltrami.org
Bemidji Interdisciplinary Review Team
Bemidji Interdisciplinary Team (IRT) focuses on the service delivery system for families whose children are experiencing mental health challenges. IRT exists to: Identify obstacles to and opportunities for effective collaboration; identify gaps in services to families with children in need of mental health services; provide an opportunity for case consultation; and to provide an opportunity for sharing information regarding services, funding, training, and research.
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Membership: Participants from area mental health agencies, youth- and family-serving organizations, Beltrami County Social Services, school district social work staff, Northwest Minnesota Juvenile Center, Minnesota Department of Corrections - Juvenile Probation, and Beltrami Area Service Collaborative.
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Meetings: Monthly on the first Monday at noon. When a holiday falls on that Monday, IRT meets the following Monday. Contact kima@beltrami.org if interested in attending.
Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice Initiative
The Eliminating Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice (ERD) Project is a community effort to make sure every young person in Beltrami County is treated fairly, no matter their race, culture, or background. We know that youth of color often face more challenges and unequal treatment in schools, courts, and other systems. The ERD Project brings people together schools, law enforcement, probation, courts, social services, and tribal and community organizations to work toward real change. In partnership with the RFK National Resource Center for Juvenile Justice and the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families, Beltrami County is part of a statewide initiative to reduce these disparities. Together, we are:
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Reviewing local policies and practices that may cause unfair treatment.
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Listening to youth, families, and tribal voices to better understand their experiences.
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Strengthening collaboration across schools, agencies, and community groups.
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Creating solutions that build fairness, accountability, and opportunity for every child.
Our goal is simple but powerful: all kids deserve respect, equal opportunities, and the support they need to reach their full potential. By working together, we can build systems that are fair, supportive, and truly serve every young person in our community.