If anybody understands the needs for an efficient social services program it's Stark County Commissioner George Nodland.
When Nodland was the tender age of 7 his father unexpectedly died. Nodland was left with an elderly mom and sisters who were 20 years or more his senior.
Nodland's mom ended up selling the family farm in Dunn County. Nodland and his mom used social services to get by.
"We were recipients of social services until I was 18 years old," Nodland said. "I spent time in two foster homes. I have an understanding and a real appreciation for social services. At that time it was the most important thing for me and my mother."
As a commissioner, Nodland wants to ensure people in southwestern North Dakota are taken care of. Nodland called for a meeting of county commissioners, county auditors and county social service directors in southwestern North Dakota to discuss the county social service programs and practices.
ADVERTISEMENT
All eight counties in southwest North Dakota - Stark, Dunn, Billings, Golden Valley, Bowman, Hettinger, Adams and Slope - participated. Representatives discussed on what could be done to provide better services. The counties also discussed how they could team together and share services.
The Southwest County Commissioners Association will hold further meetings on banning together to enhance social services. The next meeting will be Oct. 30.
"We are not exploring this to save money," Nodland said. "We are exploring this to provide better services. The result may be saving money for each county. The eight southwestern counties of North Dakota want to be united because we have common interests, we have common issues and we think alike. We want to continue to have one voice in our state legislature."
Nodland said the eight counties in the southwestern part of the state spent $43,000,000 in social services in 2006, which includes federal funds. Of that sum, 60 percent was spent on taking care of the elderly.
"They have given their life to their community and they need to be served," Nodland said.
Nodland reported 37,000 people live in southwestern North Dakota with 22,000 residing in Stark County. He pointed out the population in the southwest side of the state is aging.
Nodland also said Stark County served 60-70 children per month are put in foster care because of abuse or neglect.
"We need to take care of the elderly people," Nodland said. "Society owes that to them. Society needs to take care of the neglected and abused children."
ADVERTISEMENT
Joe Fry was brought in to educate the county representatives to educate them on the history, laws, regulations and requirements of social services. He also acted as a facilitator. Fry is the former director of the Badlands Human Service Center.
"Socials services is a very complex service," Nodland said. "There's a stigma and people don't realize the large need, especially for the elderly."
Some of the counties in southwestern North Dakota have already paired up to share services. For example, Nodland spearheaded a system where Stark and Dunn counties share veteran services.
"I would like to see all public entities in the southwest do more discussions of working together in the future," Nodland said. "I might be thinking out of the box but I think we need to look at that some day."
The commissioners association will talk about sharing and improving services in other areas. The association targeted social services first since it's the largest budget in each county, Nodland said.
The association will next target risk management, such as 9-1-1, Homeland Security, fire and police protection, etc.
"It's a big undertaking," Nodland said. "We will try to work this all around our regular meetings, depending on what needs we might have at other meetings."
