Grants are awarded to community initiatives that promote health and well-being.
Grand Forks, ND. Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation is pleased to announce that we have awarded a $20,000 SPARK grant to Prairie Harvest Mental Health, a mental health organization in Grand Forks County, North Dakota. This grant funding will play a pivotal role in facilitating Prairie Harvest Mental Health's transition to a Designated Collaborative Organization (DCO) partnering with a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC).
Prairie Harvest Mental Health offers Medicaid-funded services that include rehabilitative services, targeted case management, medication guidance and education, care coordination under 1915(i), life skills/job development, and permanent supportive housing. The $20,000 SPARK grant will enable them to expand their capacity, leading to more positive outcomes for individuals working towards their behavioral health recovery goals in Grand Forks County.
“Prairie Harvest Mental Health’s tireless efforts in providing accessible services and resources, promoting awareness, and advocating for mental health is impacting the lives of countless individuals,” said Amber Blomberg, Executive Director of BCBSND Caring Foundation. “I commend them for their dedication to reducing barriers and filling gaps and are so grateful for their work in addressing mental health concerns in the community. Their unwavering commitment to improving mental health outcomes is truly inspiring and we are proud to be investing in mental health resources fostering stronger, more resilient communities where everyone can thrive."
Prairie Harvest Mental Health has been providing permanent supportive housing and community-based mental health wellness and recovery-based services, along with employment support, in Grand Forks since 1992. They’ve worked in partnership with North Dakota’s Health and Human Services Northeast Human Service Center, a state regional human service center, for referrals and contract funding. Now, Prairie Harvest Mental Health will be transitioning from a contract-funded system to a privately funded behavioral health system. This transformation will redesign permanent supportive housing and services for adults with mental health concerns, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, dual diagnosis, and others.
"We are incredibly grateful to receive a BCBSND Caring Foundation SPARK grant, which is a significant step towards our goal of transforming our services to better support individuals with mental health concerns in Grand Forks County," said Debra Johnson, the CEO of Prairie Harvest Mental Health. "This grant will empower us to expand our capacity and enhance our services, ultimately leading to better outcomes for our clients. We're excited about the positive changes and increased accessibility that this grant will bring to our community."
Strengthening People, Access, Resources and Knowledge (SPARK) grants are awarded to initiatives that encourage health and well-being in local communities, reflect community priorities and demonstrate strong local collaborations. The SPARK grant program, run by the BCBSND Caring Foundation, offers funding to non-profit organizations throughout North Dakota.
For more information about Prairie Harvest Mental Health and the Caring Foundation, please visit https://www.prairieharvest.net/ and https://www.bcbsnd.com/caring-foundation.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation
Established in 1989, the BCBSND Caring Foundation (www.BCBSND.com/caring-foundation) is a private 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Through giving and investing, the Caring Foundation focuses on key health issues that help improve the health and well-being of North Dakotans and their communities. Caring Foundation staff work with grantees to support nonprofit sustainability, collaborate on shared outcomes and create lasting change.
