NDAD has awarded 2022 Gibbens Memorial Grants to a video project that guides law enforcement to best-practice interactions with people with disabilities and to a new program that provides substance abuse support and treatment to people experiencing homelessness.

The Arc of Cass County, Fargo, and Northlands Rescue Mission, Grand Forks, received grants for their participation in these projects, both which include other community partners. NDAD chose their projects from a variety of grant applications submitted to our charity in April.

NDAD awards at least one $5,000 grant annually to an agency or organization for use in a health, welfare, social service, or education purpose serving at-risk populations. The grant is named for NDAD’s late co-founders and program leaders, Faye and Ron Gibbens. This is the seventh year of the Gibbens Memorial Grant awards.

The Arc of Cass County is partnering with the Fargo Police Department and other disability-focused agencies to create a video for law enforcement both local and across North Dakota. The video will include information about effective identification of people with disabilities and de-escalation of situations involving those people. It also will offer available resources intended to impact the safety and effectiveness of their interactions.

The Arc provides advocacy, education, and social programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Northlands Rescue Mission, with Agassiz Associates Mental Health Services as its primary community partner and collaborator, aims to identify and then put into action equitable and culturally appropriate service delivery practices for people experiencing homelessness, substance addiction and co-occurring behavioral issues.

Northlands seeks to “implement effective interventions to promote behavior change through cycles of contemplation and preparation, action, and maintenance, with backup supports for relapse and stabilization,” according to its grant application. “Safe housing is the point of entry into treatment for many individuals.”