Clay County Commission

Dan Haglund

The Clay County Board of Commissioners approved a request by the Family Resource Center to accept $795,620 between two grants on Tuesday in Moorhead.
Quinn Jaeger, director of Clay County Social Services, outlined in detail how this financial infusion will help the project he last updated this body about in August.
“Very excited to say we’ve been actively pursuing grant funding for this (Family Resource Center) project,” Jaeger said. “And just last week I was informed that we received two separate grants, and confirmed receipt of both.”
“We sought this funding for the development and implementation of the Family Resource Center as part of our strategic efforts to improve family well-being, strengthen community connections and promote equitable access to services.”
Jaeger said the first grant is through the Sauer Family Foundation for $108,320 over two years, and will support the initial phases of the project, including stakeholder engagement, hiring key staff and building the family advisory board.
The second grant award of $687,300 over three years is through the Department of Human Services.
It is earmarked to provide the family center culturally responsive navigation services, Jaeger said.
“These funds will support planning partnerships in the development of the Family Resource Center to better connect the families within Clay County,” Jaeger said.
Jaeger said the two grants will fully cover all implementation costs and will not affect the Family Resource Center’s budget at all.
Jaeger also mentioned that Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership (CAPLP) is a critical partner in this transition phase. CAPLP will help with hiring and onboarding staff for the Family Resource Center, as well as myriad other organizational duties.
The project, Jaeger said, will not include a new brick-and-mortar building, but rather a “hub-and-spokes” model, with CAPLP working as the hub. All the exterior partners mainly taking direction from CAPLP will serve as the spokes, he said.
Commissioner Paul Krabbenhoft, Dist. 1, delivered words of praise for Jaeger for guiding this project.
“I just want to say a big thank you to you (Jaeger) and the people who have been involved in this,” Krabbenhoft said. “I’m very excited about CAPLP being the navigator, I think it’s totally a natural fit.”
Krabbenhoft said he has been working behind the scenes on this project as well.
Creating Community Consulting will also be involved by providing partner coordination and oversee the development of marketing and implementation.
The Sauer Family Foundation donates only within the state of Minnesota to organizations helping at-risk youth who are experiencing abuse, neglect or other challenges.