FIRSTLINK’S SPRING NEWSLETTER
The Community Addiction Navigator Program has helped over
100 individuals
Help and Hope for Recovery from Addiction
e g th n i e at vig of Lif a N s Sea
The Community Addiction Navigator Program North Dakota has taken major strides to address the opioid crisis we face. More people than ever before are seeking out help for recovery. The North Dakota Department of Human Services reports overdose deaths are down 13.2 percent from the record 77 deaths reported in 2016 (NDDHS 2019). Prescribing rates have also decreased slightly, though ND rates are still high, at 42 prescriptions per 100 persons (CDC U.S. State prescribing rates 2017). Although this news is hopeful, we continue
cannabinoids and nicotine. Perhaps more alarming is that a third of youth who have used tobacco report using before age 13; likewise, 5% of those who use illicit drugs or alcohol report their first use before the age of 13. Now, think about the fact that 72% of the new arrivals to North Dakota prisons were identified as having a substance use disorder, and that the risk of developing a substance use disorder is strongly associated with age of first use.
Addiction Navigator has resources for both youth and adults in Cass and Clay counties.
to face the economic, social, and physical consequences of alcohol and drug abuse.
Since its start in September 2018, the Community Addiction Navigator Program has helped over 100 individuals, loved ones, or providers by providing either support, information, referrals, or coordinating care. The Community
may have a problem with drugs or alcohol, please don’t wait to get help. To get connected, text your zipcode to 898-211 or dial 2-1-1 or (701) 235-7335 and ask to speak with the Community Addiction Navigator.
Factors such as low perceived risk and accessibility is causing a steep rise in the use of vaping products by youth including
The Navigator offers support for every stage of use and recovery, both to those seeking help for their own substance abuse problems or to those who are concerned about someone else. If you believe you or someone you care about
From Executive Director Cindy Miller The seas of life can be rough and hard to navigate. Other times life can be calm.
As we are busy
helping area cities and counties prepare for flooding, it reminds me that if you need extra support to manage those “rough seas”, please call or text FirstLink. We provide resources, we can listen, and we will support you through it. You never know when a storm can happen in your life. Please remember to keep our number handy for those you love and for yourself too. Call 701-235-7335 or text your zipcode to 898-211 to get connected. Our breakfast is Wednesday, May 1st at the Hilton Garden Inn. We will be talking about our Community Addiction Navigator. Jennifer Holtz will be discussing the program and how it is connecting people with area addiction services. Also, our featured speakers will be Adam Martin and Kristy Johnson, from the F5 Project. Please
Training Updates 2019 has already been a busy year for trainings and presentations at FirstLink! In just the first quarter of 2019, we’ve already completed 24 trainings and presentations, including ASIST, Mental Health First Aid, Youth Mental First Aid, and safeTALK. We’re also excited to say we conducted our first 2-1-1 University! Looking ahead, we’ve already received many requests for trainings across the state this summer. For a list of our upcoming trainings you can visit our website www.myfirstlink.org/events. Most of our trainings are pre-approved for CEUs for North Dakota Social Workers, Nurses, Law Enforcement, and EMS Professionals. If you would like to request a training or presentation for your group or organization please contact FirstLink’s Training and Education Coordinator, Ashley, at 701-293-6462 or e-mail ashleyl@myfirstlink.org.
come and learn more about help and hope in our community.
Spring is finally here. Enjoy the warmth.
Flood Fight 2019
Caller Success Stories “I helped make sandbags in 2009, 2013, and will help again this year! I love my community! It is great to see everyone work together to prevent flooding. Thanks for the information on sandbag central — I will be there!” “Talk of the flood was making me very worried, anxious, and nervous. Thanks for being there for me when I needed someone to talk to about my worries.” “I am 35 years old and for the first time that I can remember, I like myself! It is because of you, FirstLink.” “I recently moved into a new apartment after being homeless. I have food, but no household items, and have been very anxious and overwhelmed because we spent all of our money to get into housing. I didn’t know where to turn at first, and am so thankful to learn that there are agencies here to help get household items and other things we need help with!”
Suicide Follow-Up Program Database The Database team has been working hard since the turn of the new year. We wanted to kick 2019 off with a bang, and we definitely have! In the first 3 months of this year, our team has added 53 new services to the FirstLink database. Our database is currently undergoing a full quality audit, which will continue through this entire year. In these first few months, we began taking a detailed look at how each service is categorized, described, and formatted. This extra attention to detail will help us assure our database is easily searchable and accessible to individuals in need. Through this quality audit, our Call Specialists will be able to find resources faster and navigate the details of each service with ease to appropriately refer our callers and texters. Those who search using our online database will also share in this smoother experience. Looking toward the 2nd quarter of 2019, we’re hoping to achieve even more! We plan to add more services than the first quarter and push our efforts even harder to continue the quality audit. By connecting with more agencies and learning of their services, hiring a new Database and Resource Specialist, and expanding our scope and quality, 2019 is going to continue to be a benchmark year for FirstLink’s database!
Since the start of 2019, the FirstLink follow-up team has received over 430 new referrals and made over 1,900 calls to participants! The followup Coordinator will be traveling to Spirit Lake to connect with clinics for potential partnerships while presenting a Mental Health First Aid course. The follow-up call program anticipates record breaking numbers
this year — making more calls and receiving more referrals than ever before, as well as working to create partnerships with more hospitals and clinics! The follow-up program also applied for a new SAMSHA grant for the program, which would allow FirstLink to greatly expand the program, and help serve even more people.
made over
1,900 Calls
to participants
received over
430
new referrals
P.O. Box 447 Fargo, ND 58107-0447
Upcoming Events
Save the Date
FirstLink's 11th Annual Breakfast WHEN
Wed. May 1st from 7:30 - 9:00AM WHERE
Hilton Garden Inn Featuring Jennifer Holtz and the Community Addiction Navigator Program, with special speakers Adam Martin and Kristy Johnson from the F5 Project. There are still a few tickets available, so get yours today! Visit firstlink.regfox.com/2019-breakfast CORPORATE SPONSORS
PLATINUM LINK SPONSORS
GOLD LINK SPONSORS
Bremer Bank
Dakota Medical Foundation
Alerus
MJ Capelli’s Family Hair Salons
Essentia Health
Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Prairie St. John’s
West Acres
Caring Foundation Tellwell