Lutheran Social Services Of North Dakota

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NORTH DAKOTA OPERATES PROGRAMS TO HELP PEOPLE ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA. THESE PROGRAMS TOUCH PEOPLE OF ALL AGES. THEY HELP ALLEVIATE HUNGER, MEND BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS, PLACE CHILDREN IN SAFE ENVIRONMENTS, AID ELDERLY CITIZENS AND ADVOCATE ON BEHALF OF THE DISENFRANCHISED.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NORTH DAKOTA IS ORGANIZED INTO SERVICE AREAS THAT REPRESENT THE WORK WE DO AROUND SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL ISSUES IN NORTH DAKOTA TODAY. LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF NORTH DAKOTA'S WORK IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR INCLUDED:**EARLY BEGINNINGS***ADOPTION - ADOPTION OPTION, A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE VILLAGE FAMILY SERVICE CENTER AND LSSND, OFFERS PREGNANCY AND PARENTING SUPPORT SERVICES, ADOPTION SERVICES AND POST-ADOPTION SEARCH AND DISCLOSURE SERVICES. 20 BABIES WERE PLACED IN LOVING ADOPTIVE HOMES.*PREGNANCY COUNSELING - PREGNANCY COUNSELING IS A SERVICE FOR EXPECTANT MOTHERS AND/OR THEIR FAMILIES THAT HELPS THEM LOOK AT THEIR OPTIONS AND MAKE LIFE PLANS. 58 INDIVIDUALS WERE COUNSELED.*HEALTHY FAMILIES IS A VOLUNTARY HOME VISITING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT FAMILIES AS THEY BECOME PARENTS. SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE FREE TO ALL INTERESTED PARENTS IN THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES: BURLEIGH, MORTON, GRAND FORKS, NELSON, PEMBINA, WALSH, HETTINGER, STARK, MCKENZIE, DUNN, BILLINGS.*CHILD CARE AWARE ASSISTS FAMILIES IN THEIR SEARCH FOR AND UNDERSTANDING OF QUALITY CHILD CARE, BUILDS THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF EARLY CHILDHOOD PRACTITIONERS THROUGH PROFESSIONAL LEARNING SERVICES AND COACHING, SUPPORTS COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE STRATEGIES TO EXPAND THE CAPACITY OF CARE MEETING FAMILIES' NEEDS, AND ADVOCATES FOR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN CHILD CARE. CHILD CARE AWARE HELPED 3908 FAMILIES SEARCH FOR CARE. 8,841 INDIVIDUALS COMPLETED COURSES OFFERED BY CHILD CARE AWARE.*BRIGHT & EARLY ND IS THE NAME FOR NORTH DAKOTA'S QUALITY RATED IMPROVEMENT SYSTEM (QRIS), A COMMON-SENSE APPROACH TO SHOWCASING QUALITY WITHIN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WE HAVE DEVELOPED A SET OF STANDARDS THAT BUILD UPON EACH OTHER THROUGH "4 STEPS TO QUALITY." BRIGHT & EARLY ND RECOGNIZES AND AWARDS PROGRAMS THAT GO ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR THE SAKE OF THE CHILDREN IN THEIR CARE AND HELPS TO EDUCATE PARENTS TO BECOME MORE SAVVY CONSUMERS WHEN LOOKING FOR CHILDCARE FOR THEIR OWN CHILDREN. THERE ARE CURRENTLY 202 QUALITY RATED CHILD CARE AND PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS ACROSS NORTH DAKOTA. *GROWING FUTURES IS A STATEWIDE SYSTEM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TOWARD A MORE EFFECTIVE AND PROFESSIONAL FIELD. THE REGISTRY APPROVES TRAINING FOR LICENSING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MAINTAINS PERMANENT VERIFIED RECORDS OF INDIVIDUAL PREPARATION AND QUALIFICATIONS, AND PROVIDES DATA-BASED REPORTS TO PROGRAMS, LICENSING, AND POLICY MAKERS REGARDING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE. GROWING FUTURES REGISTRY HAS CURRENT AND VERIFIED DATA ON 5707 ACTIVE MEMBERS REPRESENTING OVER 95.8% OF THE EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE IN NORTH DAKOTA. GROWING FUTURES HAS APPROVED 143 ORGANIZATIONS TO SPONSOR APPROVED WORKFORCE TRAINING ACROSS THE STATE AND APPROVED THE DELIVERY OF 1037 CLOCK HOURS OF TRAINING FOR LICENSING AND ONGOING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT. **YOUTH INTERVENTIONS***RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PROVIDES A DEDICATED TEAM OF TRAINED FACILITATORS LOCATED ACROSS THE STATE. RESTORATIVE JUSTICE SEEKS TO RESTORE, TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, THOSE HARMED BY AN OFFENSE, ENCOURAGES ACCOUNTABILITY FROM THE PERSON WHO COMMITTED THE OFFENSE AND PROMOTES SAFE, SECURE, AND PEACEFUL COMMUNITIES. 474 YOUTH AND MORE THAN 432 VICTIMS WERE SERVED THROUGH OUR PARTNERSHIPS WITH NORTH DAKOTA JUVENILE COURT AND DIVISION OF JUVENILE SERVICES. LSS PROVIDED CONSULTATION, TRAINING & SUPPORT SERVICES TO MORE THAN 750 EDUCATORS REGARDING RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN SCHOOLS. LSSND OPERATES THE YOUTH CULTURAL ACHIEVEMENT PROGRAM IN CASS COUNTY COUNTY THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH NORTH DAKOTA JUVENILE COURT. THIS PROGRAM IS GEARED TO 1) IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THE CAUSES OF DISPROPORTIONATE MINORITY CONTACT (DMC) IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND 2) SUPPORT AND CONNECT YOUTH WITH SERVICES THAT WILL PREVENT THEM FROM ENTERING OR PROGRESSING FURTHER INTO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. 144 YOUTH SERVED IN CASS COUNTY. RESTORATIVE PRACTICES IN SCHOOLS OFFER A CONTINUUM OF STRATEGIES TO BUILD COMMUNITY AND REPAIR HARM IN SCHOOLS. PRIMARY PARTNERS INCLUDE GRAND FORKS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, BISMARCK PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND FARGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 570 STUDENTS WERE SERVED. *DAY REPORT PROMOTES THE WELL-BEING OF AT-RISK YOUTH, AGES 12-17, THROUGH AFTER-SCHOOL STRUCTURE, SUPERVISION AND EDUCATION. 14 KIDS HAD A SAFE, PRODUCTIVE PLACE TO BE, LEARN AND GROW AFTER SCHOOL. 755 DIRECT SERVICES HOURS TO KIDS.*YOUTH COURT PROVIDES TEEN VOLUNTEERS MEANINGFUL SERVICE LEARNING AS THEY SERVE AS JUDGE AND JURY FOR THEIR PEERS WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH AN OFFENSE. KIDS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN POSITIVE, EDUCATIONAL WAYS. 100 KIDS REFERRED FOR PROGRAMMING. 18 YOUTH VOLUNTEERS GAVE 372 HOURS OF TIME.*ATTENDANT CARE HELPS KEEP KIDS OUT OF JAIL BY PROVIDING SHORT-TERM CARE AND SUPERVISION IN A SAFE, NON-INSTITUTIONAL SETTING. 108 KIDS WERE KEPT SAFE IN SUPERVISED SETTINGS.**THERAPY SERVICES***ABOUND COUNSELING BRINGS QUALITY, AFFORDABLE COUNSELING TO PEOPLE IN COMMUNITIES ACROSS NORTH DAKOTA. THE THERAPY NETWORK MATCHES EXPERIENCED THERAPISTS WITH INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHO ARE SEEKING CARE. *LUTHER HALL HELPS KIDS AGES 10-17 IN A HOME-LIKE MENTAL HEALTH SETTING WITH ON-SITE SCHOOL AND THERAPY SERVICES. AT LUTHER HALL, KIDS ARE IN A SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEY CAN LEARN ABOUT THEMSELVES, HOW TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES THEY ARE FACING, AND FIND WAYS TO BUILD STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEIR FAMILIES.*FAMILY COUNSELING HELPS FAMILIES STAY TOGETHER BY PROVIDING INTENSIVE THERAPY TO FAMILIES WHO HAVE A CHILD WHO IS AT HIGH RISK OF BEING PLACED OUTSIDE THE HOME AND IS INVOLVED WITH THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. *DIVERT CONNECTS WITH FAMILIES THAT HAVE CHILDREN EXHIBITING RISKY BEHAVIORS TO HELP THEM IDENTIFY DIFFICULTIES AND STRENGTHS, SET GOALS FOR IMPROVEMENT AND USE COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO GET THE HELP THEY NEED. IN CY18, 89 YOUTH WERE DIVERTED FROM ENTERING THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM. *GAMBLERS CHOICE HELPS RESOLVE THE EMOTIONAL, RELATIONSHIP AND FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THAT RESULT FROM PROBLEM GAMBLERS' ADDICTION. WE SUPPORT THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR JOURNEY TO BREAK FREE FROM GAMBLING ADDICTION AND CHART A PATH TOWARD RECOVERY. 103 GAMBLERS FOUND HELP.*VIOLENCE FREE HOLDS MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE COMMITTED ACTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ACCOUNTABLE THROUGH GROUP THERAPY TO CHANGE THEIR BELIEF SYSTEMS FOR SAFETY AND RESPECT IN THEIR SIGNIFICANT PARTNER RELATIONSHIPS. 80 MEN AND WOMEN LEARNED HOW TO HAVE RESPECTFUL RELATIONSHIPS WHERE POWER AND CONTROL ARE NOT USED.*FREE THROUGH RECOVERY IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT THROUGH A CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF NORTH DAKOTA. THROUGH THIS PROGRAM, OUR TRAINED PROFESSIONALS ENGAGE WITH INDIVIDUALS STRUGGLING WITH BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUES - TO INCREASE RECOVERY SUPPORT TO THOSE INVOLVED WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. 119 CLIENTS WERE SAVED.**AFFORDABLE HOUSING** (NOTE: LSSND'S HOUSING WORK IS CARRIED OUT THROUGH A SUBSIDIARY, LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES HOUSING, INC.)*HOUSING DEVELOPMENT - LSSND WORKS WITH LOCAL LEADERS TO IDENTIFY CRITICAL COMMUNITY NEEDS AND THEN IDENTIFY APPROACHES FOR MEETING THEM THAT HAVE THE BEST CHANCE FOR SUCCESS. TO ADDRESS SHORTAGES, WE BUILD AND RENOVATE TO PROVIDE NEW, AFFORDABLE HOUSING. *PRESERVATION - WORKS WITH COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL PARTNERS TO ACQUIRE, REHABILITATE AND, ULTIMATELY, PRESERVE EXISTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IN RURAL NORTH DAKOTA COMMUNITIES.*PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - LSSND MANAGES THE AFFORDABLE MULTI-FAMILY HOUSING PORTFOLIO OWNED BY LSSND, AS WELL AS UNITS OWNED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS AROUND THE STATE. THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TEAM IS COMMITTED TO BEING BOTH COMPASSIONATE AND COMPETENT, OFFERING DAY-TO-DAY ON-SITE MANAGEMENT WHILE ALSO ADDRESSING INDIVIDUAL TENANT NEEDS. 1,741 PEOPLE LIVED IN HOMES MANAGED BY LSSND.*ISAIAH INVESTMENTS - GIVES PEOPLE AND BUSINESSES A CHANCE TO INVEST IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND CHILD CARE IN NORTH DAKOTA THROUGH SOCIAL IMPACT LOANS. THE FUND PROVIDES INVESTORS WITH A MODEST RETURN WHILE FACILITATING POWERFUL COMMUNITY CHANGE.**SENIOR INDEPENDENCE***SENIOR COMPANIONS - SENIOR ADULTS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME TO PROVIDE LIFE-AFFIRMING COMPANIONSHIP TO HELP OLDER ADULTS MAINTAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND CONTINUE LIVING IN THEIR OWN HOMES, AS WELL AS RESPITE CARE TO FAMILY CAREGIVERS TO HELP AVOID CAREGIVER BURNOUT. 75,181 HOURS OF COMPANIONSHIP WERE GIVEN TO 645 SENIORS BY 73 VOLUNTEERS. *VOLUNTEER COMPANIONS - LSSND OPENS THE DOORS TO VOLUNTEER COMPANIONS OF ALL AGES, WHO WANT TO SERVE AS A COMPANION TO A NORTH DAKOTA SENIOR. THIS SIMPLE ACT OF COMPANIONSHIP BANISHES ISOLATION AND BUILDS MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS, WHICH ULTIMATELY HELPS SENIORS LIVE INDEPENDENTLY LONGER. THIS CONNECTED VOLUNTEERS AND CLIENTS PROVIDING 4,060 HOURS OF COMPANIONSHIP BY 19 VOLUNTEERS SERVING 105 SENIORS.

*AGING LIFE CARE COORDINATES CARE AND SERVICES FOR OLDER ADULTS AND OTHERS WITH CHRONIC ILLNESSES. THEY SERVE AS ADVOCATES, HELPING FAMILIES TO NAVIGATE THE COMPLEX SYSTEM OF SENIOR CARE; PROVIDE RESOURCES AND REFERRALS TO SENIORS AND CARE GIVERS; PROVIDE ASSISTANCE IN INFORMED DECISION MAKING BASED ON THE NEEDS AND WISHES OF THE OLDER ADULT. WITH CARE COORDINATION, THE GOAL OF ALC IS TO HELP SENIORS LIVE QUALITY LIVES, SAFELY WITHIN THE SETTING OF CHOICE, THUS DELAY OR PREVENT UNNECESSARY RE-HOSPITALIZATIONS OR PREMATURE PLACEMENT IN A HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE. *RETIRED SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM) NETWORKS WITH LOCAL AGENCIES THAT NEED VOLUNTEERS BY RECRUITING, PLACING, AND RECOGNIZING THOSE VOLUNTEERS. VOLUNTEERS AGES 55 AND OLDER GIVE THEIR TIME AND EXPERIENCE TO MAKE THE LIVES OF OTHERS BETTER AND TO HELP COMMUNITIES BECOME MORE RESILIENT. IN FY 2019, 463 VOLUNTEERS OFFERED 29,124 HOURS OF ASSISTANCE TO 10,661 INDIVIDUALS IN NEED.**HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE***DISASTER RESPONSE LEVERAGES RESOURCES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES IN NORTH DAKOTA PREPARE FOR AND RECOVER FROM DISASTERS. THE PROGRAM PROVIDES PREPAREDNESS TRAINING, RECOVERY RESPONSE AND RECRUITMENT, COORDINATION AND SUPERVISION VOLUNTEERS. CONTINUED RESPONSE TO DISASTERS IN NORTH DAKOTA COMMUNITIES AND CONTINUED WORK WITH MIDWEST CONSORTIUM FOR DISASTER SERVICES TO PROVIDE RESOURCES FOR RESPONSES ACROSS SD, MO, AND MN. *REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT - AS THE ONLY FEDERALLY RECOGNIZED AND APPROVED REFUGEE RESETTLEMENT ORGANIZATION WORKING IN THE STATE, LSSND HELPS REFUGEES INTEGRATE INTO THEIR NEW HOME COMMUNITIES AND BEGIN BUILDING THEIR NEW LIVES. WE EQUIP THEM WITH THE TOOLSTHEY NEED TO BECOME SELF-SUFFICIENT, HELP THEM FIND JOBS TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, CONNECT THEM WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AND PROVIDE THEM WITH CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES. *IMMIGRATION SERVICES IS RECOGNIZED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE TO PROVIDE LEGAL IMMIGRATION SERVICES TO PRIMARILY LOW INCOME AND INDIGENT CLIENTS. OUR SERVICES COVER HUMANITARIAN AND FAMILY-BASED APPLICATIONS, PETITIONS, AND CITIZENSHIP SUCH AS PERMANENT RESIDENCY, WORK AUTHORIZATION, CONSULAR PROCESSING FOR IMMIGRANT AND NONIMMIGRANT VISAS, AND NATURALIZATION. WE OFFER INCOME-BASED FEE WAIVER/FEE REDUCTION AS APPLICABLE.*INTERPRETER SERVICES PROVIDES BOTH IN PERSON AND BY PHONE INTERPRETER SERVICES AND WRITTEN TRANSLATIONS TO LEGAL, MEDICAL AND COMMUNITY AGENCIES WHO NEED TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE WHEN A LANGUAGE BARRIER EXISTS. CURRENTLY, WE OFFER INTERPRETERS FOR 43 LANGUAGES.*FOSTER CARE FOR UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE MINORS ENCOURAGES GROWTH TOWARD INDEPENDENCE BY PLACING UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE CHILDREN WITH SAFE, NURTURING FOSTER OR KINSHIP FAMILIES. WE FOCUS ON BUILDING INDEPENDENT LIVING SKILLS AND HELPING THEM FIND EMPLOYMENT AND EDUCATION AS THEY APPROACH ADULTHOOD. *SERVICES TO OLDER REFUGEES PROVIDES A SUPPORTIVE FOUNDATION TO ASSIST SENIORS IN OBTAINING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR NEW HOME COMMUNITY. LSSND HELPS THEM DEVELOP A SENSE OF BELONGING THROUGH SOCIALIZATION, COMMUNITY INTEGRATION, AND ADDRESSING ANY NEEDS THEY MAY HAVE. **IMAGINE THRIVING**IMAGINE THRIVING ACTIVELY ENGAGES AND WORKS WITH SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES LOOKING TO RAISE AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL WELL-BEING. SKILLS COACHES ALSO PROVIDE DIRECT MENTAL WELL-BEING SERVICES TO FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS.