Fergus Falls Community Zero Adult Provider Program; Judicial Response to Underage Drinking

The Fergus Falls Community ZAP project is a partnership between the Otter Tail Family Services Collaborative Chemical Health Work Group and the Otter Tail County Safe Communities Coalition. These two committees have the membership of over 35 different county-based organizations including, but not limited to local police departments, the Sheriff''s Department, Public Health, the County Attorney's Office, public school districts, the MN State Community & Technical College, chemical dependency treatment providers and specialists and Lakes Country Service Cooperative.

We know that persons under the age of 21 usually obtain alcohol directly or indirectly from those over the age of 21. We believe that by working with parents and other adults, youth, law enforcement, prosecutors, judges and others directly involved with chemical use issues, we can make a change in the community norms that will foster long term efforts and reduce underage drinking within Otter Tail County.

ZAP in Fergus Falls:

• Allows for enhanced enforcement of adult provider laws by increasing overtime hours for officers to fully investigate and identify the source of the alcohol when minors are found in possession of it within Otter Tail County.
• Provides for increased identification of the adults purchasing and providing alcohol to minors by finding overtime above and beyond those hours currently provided by law enforcement to increase surveillance and patrol during key community events when minors are often arrested for consuming alcohol.
• Strives to increase public awareness of the dangers and consequences of underage drinking and to reduce the amount of alcohol provided to minors by adults over the age of 21.

The program activities identified within this grant project will be carried out between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009. The specific dates for increased surveillance and patrol by law enforcement will include, but not be limited to: September 27 (MN State Community & Technical College Homecoming); October 3 (Fergus Falls High School Homecoming); November 28 (Friday after Thanksgiving when many college students are home from college); May - June 2009 at the DeLagoon City Park during adult league softball season; and June 2009 City of Fergus Falls Summerfest.

To date, added law enforcement hours through this program has charged 61 minors with underage consuming, as well as two adults for providing alcohol to minors.

For more information regarding the ZAP Program in Fergus Falls, contact:

Jane Patrick, Coordinator; Otter Tail Family Service Collaborative; 218-736-3458

Pam Ness, Coordinator; Lakes Country Service Cooperative; 218-739-3273

Bremer Emergency Fund

A joint response by the Foundation and Bremer Bank to the current economic crisis, the Bremer Emergency Fund will provide one-year grants of up to $100,000 to help organizations provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and families in Bremer communities who are struggling to continue to provide basics such as food, warm and stable housing, health care, and reliable transportation in the face of increased unemployment and high prices.

We recognize that timely financial assistance can sometimes make the difference between instability and security, enabling families and individuals to meet emergency needs and retain housing or jobs. Then, once basic needs are met and a crisis is averted, families are in a better position to access community programs that can help them achieve long-term stability and participate fully in their communities' economic, civic, and social life.

The Bremer Emergency Fund honors the legacy and vision of Foundation founder Otto Bremer, who believed that people could survive and flourish if they had help at critical times. In the 1930s, during the Great Depression, Bremer liquidated many of his personal assets to help the "countryside banks" in which he had invested ride out the hard times. The Bremer Emergency Fund reflects this commitment to the bank communities and to the support of those working to make their lives better. The Foundation's grant dollars will be supplemented by a donation from Bremer Bank.

We will be inviting proposals for this initiative beginning on November 14, with a submission deadline of December 15, 2008. We will notify recipients of grants by January 15, 2009. Eligible organizations are those whose beneficiaries are residents of the Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin communities served by Bremer Bank. Additional information on the Emergency Fund and application forms are available on our website, www.ottobremer.org.

Foundation decisions will be based on: demonstrated community need; geography; the organization’s experience and capacity; and the organization’s ability to provide follow-up and support, including links to additional community resources.

Randi Ilyse Roth, Executive Director
Otto Bremer Foundation
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 2250
St. Paul, MN 55101-2107
651-312-3723 (direct)
651-227-8036 (office)
888-291-1123 (toll-free)
Email: rroth@ottobremer.org
Web: http://www.ottobremer.org

Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is pleased to announce the availability of the Minnesota Investment Fund (MIF) Biomass Heating Program.

This program provides grants and loans to local units of government for the installation of biomass heating projects in publicly owned facilities. The funding award limit is $250,000, with a required minimum local match of 1 to 1.

A total of $1 million will be awarded.

Applications for funding will be accepted until April 30, 2009, or until all funds are committed, whichever is sooner.

For more information, please go to:
http://www.deed.state.mn.us/Community/assistance/MIF_BiomassIntro.htm