In the fall of 2000, Cavalier County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) became aware of the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant, which is designed to enhance existing services and strengthen community efforts for health and wellness in rural areas.  In 2001, Cavalier County Job Development Authority (CCJDA) completed a comprehensive strategic plan, which identified the community’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.  This identified needs and projects within the community and prioritized them. 

A significant health care need identified in the CCJDA strategic plan was the need for a partnership with other local entities, as well as the need for the development of a community wellness program as another area of improvement of health care services.   CCJDA recognized that most rural development and health experts agree with the hypothesis that a rural area needs a quality health sector if it is to grow and prosper.  Because of its commitment to the community’s wellness needs that were addressed in the 2001 strategic plan, CCJDA became the lead applicant for the Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant. 

Through a collaborative effort of CCJDA, Cavalier County Memorial Hospital (CCMH) and the Cavalier County Health District (CCHD), in conjunction with the Center for Rural Health located in Grand Forks, ND, a survey was conducted to determine the interest level of area residents for a wellness center within the service area of Langdon, ND.  Over 60% surveyed expressed interest in a community wellness center as well as classes, programs and various other services pertaining to wellness.  The Wellness Interventions Lasting a Lifetime (WILL) Network was then established to address the healthcare needs of the community and to enhance the efforts of existing entities.  The WILL Network initially consisted of the three collaborators:  CCJDA, CCMH and CCHD.  The City of Langdon was added as a fourth WILL Network member in February of 2006.          

A WILL Consortium was also formed from the various other health entities in the community and consists of:  Cavalier County Senior Meals and Services, Cavalier County Social Services, NDSU Extension – Cavalier County, Langdon Area Ministerial Association and Walhalla Economic Development.  The Consortium members began to meet with the Network members on a monthly basis to discuss program ideas and healthcare service needs within the community.  An application for a Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant outlining potential projects and focus areas in the community was then submitted in December of 2004 by the WILL Network members. 

In May of 2005, the WILL Network was informed that they would be the recipients of a Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grant in the amount of $465,227.  The WILL Network members put the grant project into action immediately by hiring a Project Coordinator in July of 2005 as well as an Administrative Assistant in September 2005.  The Wellness Programs office was then established in the Langdon Activity Center in August 2005.  For a list of equipment and resources that have been purchased through the grant, click here.