The Woodbury County Board of Supervisors approved a request for the county to serve as the governmental pass-through (lead applicant) for a Sky Ranch Behavioral Services grant application to IowaGrants.gov.

Anna Bertrand, director at Sky Ranch, told the board the grant opportunity supports a culturally specific enhancement to an existing school-based diversion program operating in Sioux City middle and high schools. Bertrand said the funding opportunity would be awarded in mid-February and, if awarded, would run April 1, 2025, through Sept. 30, 2026, at a total award amount of $125,000; Sky Ranch proposed paying Woodbury County $5,000 for administrative services as the lead pass-through applicant.

Supervisors asked how Sky Ranch’s specialists operate in schools; Bertrand said specialists are already integrated in West, East and North middle and high schools in Sioux City and respond to referrals from school administration. She said the proposed grant would expand services and create culturally enhanced programming targeting African American and Native American students who have been referred to diversion or juvenile court alternatives.

A supervisor moved to approve the county serving as the pass-through applicant; the motion was seconded and passed 5–0. Bertrand thanked the board and noted the application deadline of Jan. 14, 2025.

The board’s approval authorizes Sky Ranch to submit the application with Woodbury County listed as the governmental pass-through; no county match or financial commitment beyond the $5,000 administrative payment was discussed during the meeting.