By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

County Deputy Administrator Lynne Penke Valdes provided an update to county commissioners, on March 25, regarding Family Resource Centers. Otter Tail County has been awarded two Minnesota Department of Education grants for capital/infrastructure projects.

One grant award will be in partnership with the Bridge Center in Pelican Rapids and the other grant award will go toward building improvements for a family resource facility in the lower level of the New York Mills City Center, in partnership with the City of New York Mills. 

Penke Valdes also noted that the county health and wellness service team is currently working with community partners on strategic planning for Family Resource Center programs and services.

The Sauer Family Foundation of St. Paul, since 1996, has partnered with Otter Tail County and other areas of Minnesota to strengthen the well-being of children and their families. A grant of $227,000 was awarded to Otter Tail County for the development of Family Resource Centers throughout the county. 

The goals, notes Penke Valdes, are to support families to be strong, healthy and successful. Services include parenting support, child development activities and parental leadership development. Currently there are more than 3,000 Family Resource Centers throughout the United States. 

Quality training is required as part of this grant from the Sauer Family Foundation. A Family Resource Center can be located at either a school or other location in a community, situated as a welcoming hub of support, services and opportunities for families.

Previously, in 2023, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners contracted with a consultant to complete a community needs assessment on development of one or more Family Resource Centers. 

In 2021 Scott County, southwest of the Twin Cities, became the first county in Minnesota to create a formal network of Family Resource Centers. Each center in Scott County established a parent advisory council to help guide it.

One of the top community strengths identified across focus groups relates to the positive aspects of living in a small town. Many participants expressed appreciation for the wide range of resources available to them. 

County board members in Otter Tail County agree that establishing Family Resource Centers here in west central Minnesota is well worth the effort.
Commissioners past and present have expressed thanks for the grant provided by the Sauer Family Foundation.

“All across the nation are success stories about economic self-sufficiency, family resiliency, child nurturing and improvements in children’s educational success,” said Deb Sjostrom, county human services director.

The Sauer Family Foundation is proud to provide grants that are county-based and community-based while supporting parent/community leadership in a way that ensures success of Family Resource Centers. 

“The goal,” says Sjostrom, “is to meet the needs of families and provide protective factors for strong families.”