county commissioners
Karen Newman
Clay County Public Health Administrator Kathy McKay appeared before the December 2st1 county commission meeting to congratulate Rory Beil, Clay County’s Director of Health Promotion. McKay explained that Beil recently received the City of Moorhead’s Human Rights Award in the Civil/Community Category. Beil works for Clay County Public Health and, in that capacity, works with the local New American Community. McKay cited Beil’s accomplishments in working with the New American Community to ensure they received clear and accurate information during the pandemic.
Excerpts from Beil’s nomination for the Moorhead Human Right’s Award include the following information:
Rory Beil was instrumental in helping to provide resources to the New American community during the pandemic. Rory worked to increase COVID awareness, helped to bridge language barriers by providing resources in New American languages, and assisted with programs that helped children successfully navigate their online schooling. Rory helped with training peer specialists, raised vaccination awareness and also increased mental health awareness for the New American Community.
In thanking the county board for their recognition, Beil said, “I was the conduit between the county and the New American Community. The CARES Committee ultimately chose to fund some things to help with schooling. My colleagues, Kathy McKay and Jamie Hennen, appeared on Somali television. I am the conduit for the good people that work here. I helped to make the connections I am a generalist who works with that kind of thing. I am proud to have been able to develop trust with a group that is highly motivated and very grateful.”
Commissioner Chair Kevin Campbell added his thanks, “As a member of the CARES committee, I just want to say that you were quite an advocate for all these different groups. New Americans and a lot of people should be grateful for that. You certainly were a voice for them and helped the (CARES) committee make funding recommendations to the full board. Congratulations, it was well-deserved.”
In further good news for Clay County, McKay introduced Troy Amundsen, the Detox Unit Director for an announcement. “We thought we would come forward today to notify the board that in August, Clay County submitted a grant proposal to the Department of Human Services. Clay County Public Health did receive a $5 million grant through the Department of Human Services. This money will be used for new construction or renovation for a Regional Substance Use Crisis Facility. Additional funding will be required to meet the grant proposal costs of approximately $12 million.”
Cathy McKay confirmed that the state of Minnesota made $10 million dollars available for two grants. Clay County received one of them.
Commissioner David Ebinger added, “This has been a big issue in my career here in Moorhead. I’m really proud that you and your team have been as persistent as you have in bringing this funding to address a really serious problem that we have in our community. Mental Health issues, along with addiction and substance abuse, are constantly in the sight of social services and law enforcement. It’s just a huge issue.” He added, “This grant will help us address it, not just for our county, but in a regional approach. I’m really proud of the team that can bring this funding into it. I want you to know that I’ll support anything you need to do to make this happen.”
“This shows the hard work and dedication from you folks to attain this. Now, it is going to be our job to implement that grant in the best possible way for our citizens,” concluded Clay County Commission Chair Campbell.
