Spring 2024
WE’RE
HERE FOR
YOU
CARE & SUPPORT
PROGRAM The FirstLink Care and Support Program is here to support the emotional and physical safety of those with mental health or substance use concerns. The program is open to anyone who calls 2-1-1 or 9-8-8, or that is discharged from one of our partnering agencies.
As of the end of February, the program had received 302 new referrals that resulted in 143 individuals signing up for extra support. The impact of these numbers can be shown in participant testimonials. One participant shared with a team member “my mental health has been getting better since you started calling me,” while another said that “I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to call me and talk me through changes that are going on.”
The Care and Support team encourages their participants through scheduled calls and caring cards, reminding them that there will always be someone to pick up the phone if they need to talk.
Since the start of 2024, the program has added three new partners. Cass County Public Health, The Heartview Foundation in Dickinson, and Steele County Public Health can now refer their patients to the program for extra support and encouragement to adhere to aftercare plans. FirstLink looks forward to the opportunity to grow the program and reach more individuals in need of help.
The Care and Support Program finished 2023 with a total of 10,709 total contacts. They received 1,759 new referrals throughout the year, with 732 of those individuals agreeing to continued follow-up. They were also able to send heartfelt handwritten cards, called caring cards, to 913 participants.
10,709 TOTAL CONTACTS
1,759
NEW REFERRALS
913
HANDWRITTEN CARING CARDS