Family Services Collaborative of St. Louis County

10/08/2026

We had such a meaningful day yesterday at the St. Louis County Health & Human Services Conference!

Family Services Collaborative board member Michelle Metzig, and Director, Cassie Liubakka had the opportunity to present “Grit, Growth and Grace in Action: Building a Culture of Safety Through Courageous Conversations.”

Our session focused on something that touches every part of human services: how we build relationships and create the kind of culture where people feel safe enough to speak up, ask questions, have difficult conversations, and work through challenges together.

We were so encouraged by the engagement and thoughtful conversations in the room. It was a great reminder that while the work we each do may look different, we share a common goal of creating safer, healthier environments for the people and families we serve.

We’re grateful to be part of an incredible two-day conference filled with learning, connection, collaboration and so many people committed to strengthening our communities. And we’re excited for another day of learning together today!

10/01/2026

What happens when people from across our region step away from their individual systems and come together to learn, connect, reflect, and imagine what is possible?

That was the heart of The Resilience Gathering: Restore, Reflect, Reimagine Systems Together, held this week at Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm.

Professionals from across Northeast Minnesota came together around a shared commitment to strengthening the systems that support children, youth, families, and communities. We made space for learning, honest conversation, reflection, connection, creativity, and restoration.

But just as important, this gathering was intentionally created as a thank you to the incredible people who make up these systems.

Every day, people across our region show up to do some of the hardest and most important work there is: supporting children and families, navigating complex needs, building relationships, responding to crises, and finding ways forward when resources are stretched thin. And right now, so many of these professionals are being asked to do more with less while communities navigate significant funding cuts and growing needs.

We wanted this gathering to be a space where those people could pause, breathe, reconnect with one another, learn together, and be reminded that the work they do matters.

Resilience is not something we build alone. It grows through relationships, shared learning, trusted partnerships, and our willingness to care for the people who are caring for our communities.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who showed up, shared their knowledge and experiences, participated in the conversations, and helped make this first regional gathering in St. Louis County so meaningful.

A special thank you to our planning partners Carlton County Children & Family Services Collaborative, Ross Resources, Ltd., and Northeast Service Cooperative for helping bring this vision to life.

There is so much possibility when we gather across systems, across communities, and across the region. 💚

09/28/2026

If you have a Kindness Campaign yard sign in your yard, we’d love to hear your why. 💜

What made you want to display a sign? What does the campaign mean to you? Maybe it represents hope, kindness, connection, someone you care about, or simply wanting your community to know that people matter.

There’s no right or wrong answer, and you can share as much or as little as you’d like. These stories help us understand what the Kindness Campaign means to our communities.

If you have a sign in your yard, please take a few minutes to share your story:

👉 https://tinyurl.com/2xwg2tza

And if you know someone with a sign, please share this with them! 💜

The St. Louis County Su***de Prevention Coalition would love to hear from people who have placed a Kindness Campaign yard sign in their yard.  We’d like to learn why you chose to put up a sign and what the campaign means to you. Your response can be as simple or personal as you’d like. With...

09/25/2026

What an incredible three days at the Minnesota Discovery Center! 💚

Hundreds of ninth graders from across our region came together this week for Youth Mental Health Day to learn, connect, build resilience, and remind one another that they are never alone.

A huge thank you to all of the students, schools, presenters, volunteers, community partners and the Youth Mental Health Day Committee for helping make this event possible. It truly takes a community to create opportunities like this for our youth.

We're so grateful for everyone who helped make this year's Youth Mental Health Day such a meaningful experience! 💚💙💜💛

09/19/2026

We’re getting ready! 💚

This is just a small snapshot of the people who help make our Youth Mental Health Initiative possible, including committee members, community partners, presenters and others who continue to show up for young people in our region.

Next week, we’ll welcome hundreds of ninth graders from across northeastern Minnesota to the Minnesota Discovery Center for Youth Mental Health Day, three days filled with mental health experiences, connection, learning and fun.

We’re so grateful for everyone who helps make this work happen. We can’t wait to see the students Tuesday! 👏💚

Hello Rangers 👋
Meet the group behind the Youth Mental Health Night & Youth Mental Health Day events‼
Youth Mental Health Initiative of Northeastern MN is a collaborative, community-driven initiative involving schools, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and other regional partners.

They hold Youth Mental Health Night annually in June to help youth from across the region identify ways to improve their mental health, live healthily, and to support each other.

09/18/2026

The Campaign of Kindness is continuing to spread across the Iron Range!

Initiated last May by the St. Louis County Su***de Prevention Coalition as part of National Mental Health Month, the campaign has been so well received that organizers ran out of yard signs twice this summer. Nearly 600 signs have been distributed, with a waiting list of individuals and businesses eager to join in spreading a supportive message.

Now, a new batch of signs and posters featuring the popular “You Matter” message is available, along with a QR code linking to local wellness resources.

📍 Signs and posters are available for pickup during regular business hours at:
• Virginia Public Library
• Eveleth Public Library
• Hoyt Lakes Public Library
• Hibbing Public Library
• Cook's Country Connection

Signs may be made available at other locations as resources and opportunities allow.

Whether you want to display a sign in your yard, windowsill, or business, anyone on the Iron Range is welcome to pick one up during normal business hours.

Thank you to everyone helping spread a little kindness and remind our community: You matter.

09/14/2026

Did you know Minnesota has the highest level of local community pride in the country? 💙

A recent YouGov survey of more than 5,000 Americans found that 83% of Minnesotans said they were very or somewhat proud of their city or town, the highest percentage of any state in the country. Minnesota also tied Michigan for the highest level of state pride, with 79% of residents saying they are proud of their state.

That finding feels pretty meaningful here in St. Louis County.

From the Duluth area to the Iron Range and communities in between, we are a county shaped by people who work hard, endure hard seasons, and look out for one another.

We know feast and famine. We have communities shaped by industries where fortunes can change, families who have experienced both prosperity and hardship, and neighbors who have stepped up when times are difficult.

We know what it means to endure a northeastern Minnesota winter. When the snow comes, people check on their neighbors. Driveways get cleared. Snowblowers get shared. Someone makes sure an older neighbor is okay.

And our roots run deep. Many families have called this county home for generations, carrying forward a strong sense of connection to place and a commitment to helping create something better for the next generation.

Maybe that's part of what makes local pride in Minnesota so strong.

Because being proud of where you live isn't just about loving the place.

It's about loving the people who call it home.

At the Family Services Collaborative, we are fortunate to see that spirit every day as people and organizations across St. Louis County come together to coordinate resources, strengthen systems, and create better opportunities for children, youth, and families.

83% of Minnesotans are proud of their local communities. And we think St. Louis County has a lot to be proud of. 💙

Read the full YouGov report: https://yougov.com/en-us/articles/52466-national-pride-state-pride

09/10/2026

Wonderful to hear the passion for our communities and our people at last night’s State of the Range event hosted by Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation at the Minnesota Discovery Center.

Our Family Services Collaborative boards bring together leaders from across St. Louis County who understand that our greatest resource is our people. Hearing the commitment from so many in our region to investing in our people and building a bright future for our communities was both inspiring and timely.

09/09/2026

We’re proud to support our partners at St. Louis County MN Public Health in sharing local stories of recovery through the Our Recovery, Our Community campaign.

There is so much value in hearing directly from people with lived experience. These stories can help challenge stigma, build connection, and remind us that recovery looks different for everyone.

We’re grateful to everyone who shared their story and helped bring this project to life. ❤️

Take some time this Recovery Month to listen, learn, and celebrate the many paths to recovery.

St. Louis County Local Crisis Response Team call: 844-772-4724 National Hotline call or text: 988 For Veterans and those who care for them, call: 988 and press 1 to be connected with the Veterans Crisis Line (VCL). Arrowhead Regional Mental Health Crisis System