Lincoln County Connections unveils resource van

Lincoln County Connections recently unveiled its resource van at a ceremony at Riverfront Park.

Dorey Rowland, the local Collaboration Coordinator for Zero to Five Lincoln County, said one of the group’s goals is to reach every child in Lincoln County.

“It grew to the point where we couldn’t haul all the equipment and resources we had, but the new van can handle everything,” Rowland said at the unveiling on July 19. “We talked to Jen (McCully) and Kathi (Hooper) at the Health Department about our idea and they worked with the commissioners to secure ARPA money to help pay for it.”

The American Rescue Plan Act was a federal stimulus bill signed by Pres. Joe Biden in March 2021 to aid public health and economic recovery.

Rowland said the resource van, which has been in use since winter, will reach every corner of Lincoln County, attending events, visiting communities and participating in farmers' markets.

Zero to Five partners, which include Spring Up and Unite for Youth, Cabinet Peaks Medical Center, Northwest Community Health Center, Kootenai Valley Head Start, Libby Job Service, Youth Court Services, Flathead Valley Community College, Friends of Scotchman Peaks, Lincoln County Victim/Witness Program, The Nurturing Center, Trego Community Hall and Trego Kids Learn and Play, Western Montana Mental Health Center and others, are traveling across Lincoln County for family engagement events, early childhood activities and the Kid’s Corner.

“The van will be packed with information and resources, including WIC services, lactation support, applications, maternal and newborn health education, immunizations, car seats and safe sleep materials,” Rowland said. “The van will also bring books, toys, and activities for children. We hope it will have a positive impact on the community for a long time.”