Fargo Cass Public Health opens Resource & Recovery Center, reports strong initial usage; mobile health unit expanding outreach

Fargo Cass Public Health staff updated the board on new outreach capacity and early operational metrics for its Resource & Recovery Center and mobile health unit.

Maddie Windus, program coordinator for the Resource & Recovery Center, said the center began full operations around June 15 and has emphasized neighborhood outreach and connecting clients to caseworkers. "We've been focusing on outreaching neighboring businesses and neighbors in the neighborhood, as well as connecting clients that do not have case workers to case workers," she said, and described a "good neighbor" policy adopted for the facility.

Operational metrics: Sydney, the harm reduction data specialist, reported that from June 15–30 the center served 242 unique individuals, averaged just under 70 guests per day and recorded 820 total visits; 16 partner agencies provided outreach during that period with 117 outreach visits meeting 139 guests. Staff credited the open layout and co‑located services with improving capacity and reducing dispatch contacts from the prior location (an 89% decrease reported for the first month in the new location).

Mobile health unit and resource distribution: Suzanne Schafer (nursing and clinical services director) described the mobile unit's inaugural events (community events, library collaboration and planned appearance at the Fargo Police picnic) and said WIC has already used the unit for rural outreach. Schafer also described in‑office distributions of donated hygiene items and the department's receipt of 252 food boxes from a partner; staff had distributed 106 of those boxes by a June 29 inventory.

The board had no formal votes tied to these program updates; staff encouraged partner coordination and continued data tracking as the new center and mobile unit expand services.