BASC partners to launch youth advisory committee for substance use prevention

The Beltrami County Community Health Board meeting on April 17, 2025, highlighted significant initiatives aimed at improving youth health and community engagement. A key focus was the partnership with the Beltrami Area Service Collaborative (BASC) to enhance a diversion program for local youth, funded by a cannabis grant.

The board announced the formation of a youth advisory committee comprising eleventh and twelfth graders from Bemidji High School, Trek North, and Voyagers. These students will hold individual meetings to discuss cannabis and substance use among their peers. A joint meeting will follow, where all three committees will collaborate to develop a prevention campaign targeting schools and the wider community. The initiative aims to empower youth voices in addressing substance use issues and will be led by BASC Executive Director Kim Graham, Public Health Social Worker Cammie Kalm, and BASC Intervention Program Specialist Brianna Schroeder.

Additionally, the board reported receiving a $348,695 grant from the Minnesota Department of Health, which will be utilized until June 2027. This grant aims to foster partnerships with the three tribal nations surrounding Beltrami County, focusing on understanding community health perspectives and needs. The project seeks to engage diverse community members, including youth, people of color, and seniors, to promote health awareness and create sustainable health improvements.

The Beltrami Community Health Board emphasized the importance of building strong community partnerships, which have led to the establishment of the Native American Advisory Council and collaborations with various health organizations. These efforts aim to bridge service gaps and enhance health outcomes for the community.

The meeting concluded with a transition to discussions on the community health assessment and improvement plan, indicating ongoing efforts to address public health challenges in the region.