Bill would allocate funds to South Central Human Service Center

A bill introduced in the Legislature by Sen. John Grabinger, D-Jamestown, would help people with special needs here find work.

Senate Bill 2182 would provide up to $308,000 for the next biennium to South Central Human Services in Jamestown for the purpose of providing transitional employment for individuals with mental illness or chemical dependency.

“These people cannot work out into a job in the community without assistance,” Grabinger said. “In many cases these are citizens that have issues.”

He said this funding was provided in the past but no longer is for South Central Human Services. It is no longer included in the budget.

“This was left off Jamestown’s Human Service budget and we’re trying to get it restored,” Grabinger said.

The funding would be used to help train or partially employ these people, Grabinger said.

“They probably couldn’t hold a job in the community, but with this they at least have a job and a task they can go to in the morning and that’s what it’s about,” he said.

Grabinger said many individuals who seek treatment at the North Dakota State Hospital stay in Jamestown after they are released.

Some then use programs like Progress Enterprises to help find employment.

“It helps in their treatment process, to make them somewhat of an active community member,” Grabinger said.

Last week SB 2182 was heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee. A subcommittee was put together and reviewed the bill in the last few days. No action was taken as of Tuesday.

Grabinger said he expects to hear something in the next few days on the bill.

“It’s not something new, it’s not something extraordinary,” he said. “It was a program that was offered through the state health services department.”

Sun reporter Ben Rodgers can be reached at 701-952-8455 or by email at brodgers@jamestownsun.com

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