Boys & Girls Clubs of America Partnership

BCBSND Caring Foundation has partnered with the Boys and Girls Clubs across North Dakota, including Fargo, Minot, Grand Forks and tribal areas to help combat the youth mental health crisis through trauma-informed approaches to behavioral health care. Over the next four years funding will provide training for their staff to better support the emotional and mental well-being of the youth they serve.

BCBSND staff visit a Club after school and made affirmation bracelets to teach the youth techniques to strengthen their resiliency and to get them comfortable with sharing their feelings.

The twenty-three Boys & Girls Clubs in North Dakota will be able to incorporate trauma-informed practices in Clubs by:

  • Creating and implementing resources to integrate trauma-informed strategies
  • Increasing staff awareness and skills through trauma-informed professional development and expanding regional trauma-informed training centers
  • Providing programming and resources that build young people’s social-emotional development skills and equip them to navigate challenging experiences
  • Increasing access to mental health services by piloting virtual therapy sessions for youth and staff

“We know every child and teen is better equipped to succeed when we meet them where they are to address their needs, and that includes providing access to reliable mental health resources. Through our partnership with the BCBSND Caring Foundation and Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, we are eager to enhance our existing programming and provide the youth we serve with the tools they need to prepare for a great future.”

-Robin Nelson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley 

Boys and Girls Club staff together with BCBSND volunteers
BCBSND staff volunteering alongside BGC RRV staff