First Call For Help Of Itasca County

FIRST CALL FOR HELP OF ITASCA COUNTY IS A PRIVATE, NONPROFIT COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION WHOSE MISSION IS TO PROVIDE FREE, CONFIDENTIAL AND NONJUDGEMENT CRISIS INTERVENTION, ACTIVE LISTENING, AND INFORMATION AND REFERRAL SERVICES 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR, TO THE RESIDENTS AND AGENCIES OF NORTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA.

NEW LEAF HEALING CENTER: DURING 2021 OUR AGENCY CONTINUED THE PROVISION OF CRISIS RESIDENTIAL SERVICES (OPENED IN 2017) FROM WITHIN THE NLHC, IN EFFORTS TO AVOID BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PLACEMENTS. WE SERVED 193 CONSUMERS (GUESTS). 72% OF THE CRISIS RESIDENTS WERE FROM ITASCA COUNTY, .06% REPORTED HOMELESSNESS. 99% OF THE RESIDENTS AVOIDED HOSPITALIZATION DUE TO THE CRISIS SERVICES PROVIDED AT NEW LEAF. 98% OF THE RESIDENTS WERE CONNECTED WITH MED MANAGEMENT, THERAPY, CHEMICAL HEALTH SERVICES AND OR PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICES PRIOR TO DISCHARGE. 6% OF THE RESIDENTS (HOMELESS UPON ENTRY) WERE DISCHARGED TO SAFE SHELTERS OR HOUSING LOCATIONS UPON ACHIEVING STABILITY OF THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.

CALL CENTER: DURING THE 2021 YEAR OUR AGENCY RECEIVED 4519 CALLS INTO OUR CALL CENTER FROM RESIDENTS OF THE 7 COUNTY 2-1-1 HUB AREA OF WHICH WE SERVE. THIS RESULTED IN PROVIDING 4,388 RESOURCES TO THOSE RESIDENTS IN NEED AND FIELDING 17,124 CRISIS CALLS. WE CONDUCTED 468 COORDINATED ENTRY SERVICES FOR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, 24 MNSURE/ASSIST APPLICATIONS, AND MAINTAINED A RESOURCE DATA BASE OF 2970 AGENCIES CONTAINING INFORMATION REGARDING ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE, QUALIFICATIONS TO RECEIVE SERVICES AND CONTACT INFORMATION TO ACCESS THESE SERVICES. OUR CALL CENTER SERVICES 7 COUNTIES FOR I&R, 37 COUNTIES FOR CRISIS RESPONSE DISPACH, AND 2 COUNTIES FOR HOMELESS COORDINATION.

CRISIS INTERVENTION: IN 2021 THE FIRST CALL FOR HELP CRISIS TEAM OPERATED 24/7/365 WITH 24 MHP STAFF WHO RESPONDED TO 4979 MENTAL HEALTH CALLS TO RESIDENTS OF ITASCA COUNTY. YEAR END ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE CONDUCTING 239 FACE TO FACE MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, 63 CRISIS INTERVENTIONS, 687 PHONE ASSESSMENTS, AND 1445 STABILIZATION CONTACTS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN CRISIS. WE PROVIDED CRISIS SERVICES AND FACILITATED CARE TO 52 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE NOT THE FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF ITASCA COUNTY BUT WERE LOCATED WITHIN OUR COUNTY WHEN THEY REQUIRED SERVICES. WE FACILITATED REFERRALS TO MNSURE FOR 24 INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE NOT INSURED AND RECEIVED ASSESSMENTS BY OUR TEAM. WE FACILITATED BEHAVIORAL UNIT PLACEMENTS FOR 27 INDIVIDUALS AND CRISIS PLACEMENTS FOR 157 IN EFFORTS TO AVOID HOSPITALIZATIONS.