Local area emergency & resource numbers & information

IMPORTANT NUMBERS:

PLEASE ADD THESE TO YOUR WEBSITES AND POST WHEREVER POSSIBLE

Mobile Crisis Hotline 1-800-422-0045                

Text MN Free support via text 24/7.   Text, 741741

Warmline peer support through Wellness in the Woods resource 1-844-739-6369

MOST AGENCIES ARE REQUESTING THAT CONSUMERS CALL AHEAD – DO NOT SEND PEOPLE DIRECTLY TO SERVICE AGENCY OFFICES – THEY ARE LIKELY TO FIND THEM LOCKED.

Updates and additions to the following list are welcome. Email updates to: Annie@UnitedWayBemidji.org or RSherman@crcinform.org

NOTE FROM THE CITY: TRY TO REDUCE NON-EMERGENCY 911 CALLS!

The current #1 question of callers is “Can I leave the house?”

ANSWER:  YES – just practice social distancing.  Going for a walk or a drive is fine – just stay out of groups.

Beltrami Area Service Collaborative

  • All Truancy hearings are canceled.
  • Diversion program is canceling all classes.
  • Remote services/contacts with families are being planned.

Beltrami County Judicial Center/Court:

After careful consideration and consultation, the Judicial Council has recommended further restrictions for in-person courthouse access. In response, Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea has issued a statewide order, ADM20-8001 Continuing Operations of the Courts of the State of Minnesota Under a Statewide Peacetime Declaration of Emergency. The order restricts in-person access to courthouses for only designated case types, and opens up additional opportunities for remote hearings that must occur during the COVID-19 pandemic. The order goes into effect on Monday, March 23, 2020, and is in effect for the next 30 days or until another order is issued, whichever comes first.

Beltrami County Health and Human Services

  • The office is closed to the public. Some staff are operating remotely.
  • We ask that you utilize online resources if possible to apply for public assistance programs through Applymn.dhs.mn.gov for cash, SNAP, child care and emergency programs and MNSure.org for health care programs. Contact a MNsure Navigator for assistance applying through the MNsure electronic system. (218-333-0880)
  • If online resources are unavailable please call our office at 218-333-8300 to request an application be mailed to you. At this time phone interviews for public assistance programs are being offered in lieu of face to face interviews.

Beltrami County and Roseau County Domestic Violence Intervention Programs (DVIP)

  • The Bemidji DVIP Groups are cancelled through April.
  • All Red Lake Groups are cancelled until further notice.

Beltrami Public Health

Bemidji Community Food Shelf

  • Open Monday and Wednesday ONLY
  • DO NOT CALL AHEAD
  • Food Boxes prepackaged based on the size of the household
  • Volunteers bringing boxes out to the cars.  Consumers should NOT enter the building. 
  • If you need food delivered call the food shelf to see if there are available options.
  • Nutrition Assistance Program boxes are being carried out to cars; no one is to enter the building

Bemidji Senior Center

  • Bemidji Senior Center is closed until further notice.
  • Curbside meals are available Mon-Fri behind the Senior Center at the back door between 11:30-12:30. Please call Senior Dining ahead of time to reserve your meal at 444-3987. 
  • The price is a suggested donation of $5-$8.40 per meal if you are over 60. Anyone under 60 it will be full price. Also available are frozen meals if you wish to have some extra meals. These are to-go meals, there is still no congregate dinning at the Senior Center.
  • www.bemidjiseniorcenter.org

Bemidji State University and Technical College

  • Courses resumed (all online) March 30th
  • As many staff working from home as possible
  • Still housing 85 students in residence halls

BI-CAP

  • Head Start is closed, but staff are working remotely, delivering online support to children and families; we are delivering meals 2x per week
  • BI-CAP assists with SNAP (Food Support) applications over the phone. Applicants can contact Maria Sorenson at 218-333-9849 or email maria.sorenson@bicap.org
  • YouthBuild is delivering online and remote classes.
  • Supportive Housing and Energy Assistance continue to offer services via phone, email and mail.
  • Most staff are working remotely, with a skeleton crew working on site.
  • Our front desk phone line is active between 8-3:30

Boys and Girls Club of the Bemidji Area

  • See the Boys and Girls Club Facebook page for updates or join the club’s reminder application by texting “@bemidjibgc” to 81010
  • The club will be closed until further notice.
  • Part-time staff have been laid off, but full-time staff are working on virtual learning opportunities.
  • Staff are putting together YouTube videos for the public; go on-line and take a look!

Churches United

  • PLEASE CALL FIRST 218-444-1380 Churches United will not be open as usual. Do NOT take the bus to the site – we have no place for you to wait.  We are currently not allowing anyone in the office at this time, However, we will be taking phone calls and we may be able to offer some limited assistance.
  • Churches United will not have staff available Good Friday through Easter Sunday April 10-12.
  • FOOD ACCESS FOR THE WEEKENDS: Churches United can write vouchers for Lueken’s. Applicants need to call our office 444-1380 during business hours [noon-4:00 pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday] and have a photo ID. They will also need to come to our office to pick up their voucher. Vouchers amounts are based on family size.
  • Still supplying food vouchers
  • Paul Bunyan Transit has offered to transport people in need of vouchers to Churches United; allowing the consumer to run up to the entry where the voucher is left for them and then return to the bus to go home.
  • http://bemidjicu.org

 City of Bemidji: Mayor Rita Albrecht

  • Encourage parents and children to stay off of park play equipment. The virus is known to survive 3-4 days on hard surfaces – this equipment is NOT safe. Signs are posted but are not particularly effective.
  • Encourage people to stay away from the skate park….there are increasingly large gatherings there and it is NOT safe.
  • The city has considered placing portable toilets and washing stations around the city but have not done it because these, too, present their own set of safety concerns.
  • City considering a request to allow Peoples Church to place a temporary tent in their parking area
  • City does not have the authority to tell businesses to use protective gear or distancing
  • Providing some funds from revolving loan fund to local businesses
  • Greater Bemidji has received funds from the state for small businesses
  • If you need to speak with someone about city bills and paying; call city hall and leave a message
  • Anyone can drop bill payments in the city drop box affixed to the city hall building

Civil Air Patrol

  • All group meetings have gone online.
  • They are NOT available for public service EXCEPT in the case of a critical search and rescue.
  • Might be able to deliver PPE or other essential supplies as needed.

Community Resource Connections

  • Staff remain available by telephone at 218-333-0880 (Bemidji), 218-835-5768 (Blackduck) and 218-547-3438 ext. 15 (Walker).
  • We provide MNsure Navigation remotely.
  • MNsure updates:
    • The governor’s order opens MNsure open enrollment until April 21st.
    • All income guidelines still apply –
    • If someone turned down health insurance from an employer and wants to enroll in a MNsure Qualified Health plan…they can do that now until April 21st with a start date of April 1, 2020.
    • https://www.crcinform.org

Community Table

  • Monday and Tuesday pre-bagged meals are available at the north door (parking lot) at Mt. Zion Church between 5 and 6 pm.
  • Wednesday and Thursday pre-bagged meals are available at the door of United Methodist Church between 5 and 6 pm.
  • The public IS allowed to pick up more bagged meals if they want to deliver to others who cannot get to the sites.  No questions will be asked! 

Eagle Vista Ranch & Wellness Center

  • Liz Letson
  • Bemidji equine assisted psychotherapy & learning, crisis counseling, teletherapy.
  • 218-760-0656. eaglevistaranch.com
  • Although not a typical service, during this time she is open to callers at risk of suicide
  • We’re using this great resource/book – “The Resilient Practitioner – Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Prevention and Self-Care Strategies for the Helping Professions” for development of our Equine Assisted Resilience Program. Will keep you in the loop….

Evergreen Youth & Family Services

Evergreen is working on an appointment-only basis; we are still providing case mgmt., hot lunches, and even food delivery (hot lunches and food shelf packages) during this time. Seeing some youth who are handling this admirably well and others who are suffering from boredom and engaging in unhealthy behaviors. Bit of a mixed bag.

  • Continues to support current clients and residents in our housing programs, including youth that arrive at the drop in.
  • Both sites are staffed and are offering the following services:
    • Mental health services
    • Family support services
    • Case management support for clients
    • Assessments/screenings for services
    • Resources and support for Suicide Prevention, Rock Sober, Street Outreach, Safe Harbor, Crime Services
    • Free laundry and shower services for drop in clients ages 10-24
    • Workforce development
    • Free meal at the drop in site (“to go”) during regular hours
    • We are providing basic essentials: cleaning supply kits for housing clients, hygiene supplies for drop in and/or clients
  • Clients are being screened at the door, when possible we ask them to schedule an appointment, and we have implemented protocol for maintaining social distancing and social gathering. When and where possible, we are offering remote supports, but are assessing all clients to be sure we are meeting their needs.
  • Jeanne Strate (Evergreen Family Support) is available 218- 556-3191

Girl Scouts of Bemidji

  • Active online. Anyone can go to their site and participate in the daily activities listed there.
  • Girls are able to join as members on line.
  • You can order cookies for yourself or to send to others; still supporting local scouts! Cookies will be delivered for you.
https://www.girlscouts.org/

Great North Counseling

  • Office closed (no in-person appointments).
  • A telehealth platform is being used to connect with existing clients.
  • Contacts with clients are weekly or as needed.
  • Some openings coming up; continue to refer
  • Address: 426 Bemidji Ave N #1st, Bemidji, MN 56601
  • Phone: (218) 214-6096
https://www.greatnorthcounseling.com/

Great River Rescue

  • Closing effective 3/27 as per order
  • Great River Rescue is not taking in animals from the public currently. We encourage anyone who needs to rehome a pet to use rehome.adoptapet.com. We are still taking in animals from the Bemidji and Township pounds
  • https://www.greatriverrescue.com

Headwaters Regional Development Center

  • Bryan McCoy- leading Regional Transportation Coordination Council. If anyone needs assistance in securing transportation or delivery service, I am here to help. Also in constant contact with MnDOT to get updates on potential transportation services.
  • bmccoy@hrdc.org or 218-333-6545

Headwaters School of Music and Art

  • All activities on site are canceled
  • Some individual music lessons are being done remotely
  • They are looking to add additional classes that can be done remotely

Headwaters Science Center

SUPPORT THE SCIENCE CENTER BY VIEWING THEIR VIDEOS ON FACEBOOK….SOME MUCH NEEDED FUNDING IS AVAILABLE FOR THEM WHEN YOU DO THIS!

  • The Science Center is closed effective Wednesday 3/18/2020.
  • Look at their Facebook page for fun videos.
  • Remember to give; HSC is losing $150,000 in revenue, as this is their busy season with many school tours and visitors.
  • Advice from the Director: exercise hourly

4H Programs

  • All in-person Extension 4-H programs are canceled through May 15, 2020.
    • This cancellation covers all in-person 4-H programming at the local, regional and state levels. Gatherings led by volunteers, regardless of where they are hosted, are included. Examples are club meetings, afterschool programs, archery practices, preparation for team competitions, project days and a host of others.

Hope House

  • We are encouraging phone contact only, but the drop-in center is open for those at risk of decompensation without it.  We are working on telehealth for the limited people who have the available equipment.

HRA

Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota

  • Legal Services is working to collect examples of situations where consumers’ utilities are shut off or their stimulus checks are garnished during this Covid crisis.  If you see anyone who has been affected in either of these ways contact Legal Services of NW MN.
  • LawHelpMN.org has great resources for civil legal issues.   It also has COVID-19 information that is relevant to anyone, such as stimulus checks, unemployment, etc.
  • Offices will be closed to all walk-in clients beginning 3/17/2020, until further notice. Staff will continue to work, and applications are still being accepted. In addition, LSNM has cancelled all in-person meetings, trainings, Self-Help Clinics and events through April 15, 2020.
  • Our team is available to support and respond to the needs and concerns of existing and new clients. As always, we are working to ensure high-quality and critical legal aid services are delivered, while addressing new and emerging needs of our clients as this crisis unfolds.https://lsnmlaw.org
  • Anyone being evicted should contact Legal Services by telephone.
  • All Order For Protection matters are still going to court; figuring out ways to do so remotely

Mobile Crisis: Heidi Bruder

  • 1-800-422-0045
  • Mobile Text: 741-741 MN available 24/7
  • Utilize Mobile Crisis for any mental health needs. With the reduction in mental health services FAMILIES may need additional mental health support.  Mobile Crisis is able to provide over the phone support 24/7. For suicidal risk, Mobile heals is still doing in person assessments, typically in office or at the ER.

Northwest Indian Community Development Center

  • Closed to the public. Our Facebook page is updated several times a day with contact information for the programs we are currently running.
  • We are following CDC and MDH recommendations.
  • We are taking SNAP applications over the phone and email. Applicants can contact our staff by Facebook Messenger, email, phone or text.
  • We are taking MNsure applications over the phone and email. Applicants can contact our staff by Facebook Messenger, email, phone or text. The governor ordered a special open enrollment period that expires on April 21st.
  • Our current enrolled GED students are able to continue their hours through Distance Learning.
  • Our Family Spirit program is offering online classes, phone and email communication.

Northwoods Battered Women’s Shelter

  • The shelter remains open with increased safety measures in place.
  • All applications for assistance will be done remotely if possible..

Northwoods Caregivers

  • Suspending all supervised visitation and child exchange.
  • IN GREAT need of drivers to help elderly access groceries and medical appointments.

 Northwoods Pregnancy Center

  • Closed until further notice
  • Staff and volunteers are working remotely during normal office hours (Monday – Wednesday 11-4)
  • Please call 218-444-3035 or email info@northwoodspregnancy.com

Northern Dental Access Center

  • Northern Dental Access Center is closed for most services until further notice.  Effective 3/20/2020
  • Encourage dental emergency situations to call NDAC; they are taking phone calls Monday through Thursday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. and scheduling emergency appointments T, W and Thursday starting at 9 a.m. as needed.
  • A dental “emergency” involves: trauma to the mouth, swelling, infection and significant pain.
  • DO NOT send dental emergencies to the emergency room!  Call NDAC
  • Until the threat subsides Legal Services of NW MN and Community Resource Connections are NOT meeting with consumers at Northern Dental Access Center.

Options for Independent Living

  • Providing no direct services
  • Jesse: 1-800-726-3692
  • Contacting current and past consumers to make sure they still have what they need; PCA services, home care, mental health services, etc.
  • Taking a lot of calls in the 12 county area
  • There is a staff member on site at the 4-West Building but please direct calls to the toll free number listed above for the fastest response time.

Peacemaker Resources

Reading and Math Corp

Rachel Garaghty

  • Working on ways to continue offering tutoring services on line
  • May have some tutors available for volunteering…contact Rachel.

Rebecca Schueller Consulting

  • Becky is offering a FREE course on line for all United Way and Community Resource Connections members.
  • Improving the Quality of Remote Supervision
  • See her link: www.bemidjiconsulting.com/trainings
  • Disregard the Pay Pal portion of the registry
  • Please Register by April 13, 2020 (4:00 p.m.)
  • Improving the Quality of Remote Supervision
  • Thursday, April 19th, 2020 – (Noon-2:00 p.m.)
  • Contact Becky with questions– Becky@bemidjiconsulting.com

Red Lake Department of Public Safety

  • Victims of crime can contact 218-679-1919 or 218-533-4583 day or night for questions about services

River City Journey Outreach

  • Hot meals provided each Sunday from noon until they are gone
  • Free clothing available on site
  • At the St. Michael’s parking lot
  • Always in need of donations of food, clothing and financial assistance
  • Contact: Joan Miller 556-0462

St. Cloud VA/Leech Lake Housing Authority

Melody Gorden, LICSW   melody.gorden@va.gov

  • still taking telephone applications and providing telephone mental health for Veteran’s experiencing homelessness – my program has many housing vouchers available for Native American Veteran’s experiencing homelessness in the Leech Lake and the surrounding areas which includes Bemidji – 320-339-5861.

St. Vincent DePaul

  • Still taking calls at 218-368-6606
  • St. Vincent de Paul can also do food vouchers to Lueken’s.  Our help line is 218-368-6606.  Vouchers are based on family size.  We will mail or meet people in a public place in Bemidji to deliver vouchers.
  • They can still process food gas and utility checks; but they are asking that people contact Churches United first for these benefits.
  • No home visits
  • All consumers are being directed to Churches United

Sanford Health Hospital

  • Not open to visitors
  • Only allowing minors and special needs patients 1 accompanying adult
  • Family of end-of-life situations only
  • Working in cooperation with the local Shelters to increase space and access to space for homeless and patients of COVID virus
  • To date: 5 positives in Beltrami county, 92 negatives, 11 pending
  • As of this morning; no hospitalizations required
  • If you want to be tested for virus you should call the 333-5000 number and speak to a nurse.  They will screen you verbally and if they see reason to do a test they will provide you with an appointment at one of their remote sites.  They will test you in your vehicle; you should arrive alone if possible.
  • There is no limit on testing at this time – no backlog or wait
  • Tests are currently being shipped to Sioux Falls for processing – results are available in 48 hours.

Serve Minnesota

Support Within Reach

  • All staff are available by phone; answering phones directly
  • All direct services for clients are AVAILABLE 24/7 and can be in person at office site.

The Emergency Management Center & Public Health

 The #1 Ladies Advocacy Center (Kerry Hicks)

  • Still meeting with people to assist with Orders for Protection and other safety measures.

Timber Bay

  • Suspended all face to face interactions
  • Spending lots of time on Snap Chat with middle school population
  • All Spring camps are canceled
  • Making hopeful summer plans with participants

United Way of Bemidji Area

  • United Way of Bemidji Area is coordinating face mask donations for homeless shelters, the Bemidji School District, and local agencies. Thanks to an Anderson Fabrics donation, we do have fabric available! If you would like to sew masks, please email Annie at Annie@UnitedWayBemidji.org and tell her how many adult and how many children masks. If you need fabric, please stop by the United Way office between 11 am and 4 pm to pick some up.
  • You may use any pattern you like or use one of the ones listed below. Multiple patterns are available online and on YouTube.
  • United Way is swapping out volunteers for agencies that are doing essential work during this health crisis. Contact United Way at 444-8929 if you need volunteers to continue doing your work.
  • Staff remain available by telephone at 218-444-8929
  • Still implementing Backpack Buddies; pick-up/delivery on Fridays.  If you know of a student in need notify the school where they attend and request.
  • Emergency Fund has been created to support access to food, emergency needs, and care to elderly/most vulnerable in our community. Agencies with unexpected expenses combined with fundraising shortfalls due to event cancellations will be included.
  • UnitedWayBemidji.org

Village of Hope