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First Call 211 executive director outlines regional crisis response capacity and rising call volume
Summary
First Call for Help (211) director Cree Larson described a 24/7 referral and crisis line serving Beltrami and surrounding counties, said call volume rose to about 95,000 in 2025, and outlined services including a 10‑day crisis bed and a farmers’ distress line.
Cree Larson, executive director of First Call for Help (the region’s 211 service), told the Beltrami County Board that the nonprofit operates a 24‑hour referral and crisis line covering seven counties, including Beltrami. Larson said First Call has about 123 staff and manages a database of roughly 42,000 resources.
Larson said the service answered about 95,026 calls in 2025, up from roughly 81,000 in 2024, and that if the first quarter pacing continues the organization could exceed 100,000 calls in 2026. The organization coordinates with county and tribal mobile crisis teams, operates a community‑based 10‑day crisis bed for Beltrami County and runs a farmers’ distress line through a Department of Agriculture contract.
Larson described a diversified funding model that includes fee‑for‑service contracts with counties and regions, philanthropic foundation grants and donations. She said the organization’s annual operating budget is about $7.2 million and emphasized the risks of over‑reliance on grant funding.
Commissioners asked for printed materials and for details about funding sources; Larson offered to provide additional copies and contact information for mailings.
The board did not take action during the presentation; commissioners thanked Larson for the update.
