{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"The Hope Exchange","title":"Filling the Gaps: How Pact For Families Builds a Community Safety Net","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":1658,"description":"In this episode, host Kim Madsen sits down with Sarah Vonderharr, Executive Director of Pact For Families Collaborative, to explore how five rural Minnesota counties banded together to create a seamless safety net for children and families facing mental-health or substance-use challenges. Sarah recounts the Collaborative’s legislative origins and explains its wrap-around philosophy, which keeps family voice & choice at the center while coordinating schools, county services, nonprofits, and healthcare providers. Listeners hear about signature programs—Road to Success for high-schoolers and Journey to Independence for young adults—that teach budgeting, cooking, hygiene, and career skills; discover how federally funded “system-of-care” trainings equip teachers, social workers, and police with a shared toolkit; and learn why early, whole-family support is both cost-effective and life-changing. Sarah closes with a road map to 24/7 crisis lines, volunteer opportunities, and partnership options, ensuring anyone in need—or eager to help—knows exactly where to start.Key Programs & ResourcesPact For Families Collaborative: www.pactforfamilies.orgRoad to Success (high-school skill building)Journey to Independence (young-adult life & work skills)Upcoming professional-development trainings (see website events page)Woodland Centers Crisis Line: 800-992-1716 (24/7)Episode CreditsHost: Kim Madsen, Chief Impact Officer, Woodland CentersGuest: Sarah Vonderharr, Executive Director, Pact For Families CollaborativeShow: The Hope Exchange","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/PBrrhl3_Kkzs0JUkEPCYLv0NHXN8atRVYnWcLZ3x6QQ/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9hODRl/YmRkOGVjNTIzMjBh/ZWVhMDUwZjViYTY3/Zjk2NC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}