BRIEF: Vison West expands reservation mental health study

March 25--Members of the Vision West Consortium unanimously approved to expand a study the group is sponsoring to examine the health care needs on the Fort Berthold Reservation for both the Native American and non-Native population.

The study was originally sponsored as an examination of EMS services in the area. The funding will not increase, but a vote was needed to expand the scope of work.

The Three Affiliated Tribes added $34,000 to the $23,000 Vision West was contributing, changing the direction of the study, said project director Shirley Brentrup.

"It takes a look at the entire health system right now on the reservation and would help to transform it into a health system that serves both the native population and the population that has grown so much around it," Brentrup said.

The decision was made during a Monday afternoon conference call.

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