BCBSND Caring Foundation, Sources of Strength partner to expand suicide prevention program into elementary schools across North Dakota

 

The Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota (BCBSND) Caring Foundation is proud to partner with Sources of Strength, a national evidenced-based suicide prevention program, founded in Bismarck, North Dakota, to cover the expenses for a statewide elementary school coaches training program. Sources of Strength will provide training for up to 50 coaches to expand programming into 3rd-5th classrooms across North Dakota in the 2020-21 school year. The training will take place on August 13 and 14 in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Should an in-person training not be possible due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the training will be offered in an online format.

Pam Gulleson, BCBSND Caring Foundation Executive Director, shared, “Bettering the health and well-being of North Dakotans is BCBSND Caring Foundation’s mission. Children are the future and having the resources and tools to be able to keep them safe and well supported is so crucial. BCBSND Caring Foundation is honored to help ensure these young individuals have the resources and strength to get back up when life knocks them down.”

Cody Sletten, Sources of Strength Support Coordinator, states, “The Sources of Strength elementary model continues our commitment to moving further upstream, increasing health and wellness, and decreasing negative downstream outcomes through empowering individuals and communities full of connection, belonging and resilience. We would like to thank The Blue Cross Blue Shield North Dakota Caring Foundation for their commitment to improving the social and emotional well-being of the youth of North Dakota.”

Visit sourcesofstrength.org/elementary to learn more including webinar recordings, sample lessons, pricing, and more. To ask questions and explore the next steps to bringing Sources of Strength Elementary to your school, please fill out this survey or register for the training here.