07/27/2023
The proposed name, Mountain Lakes Human Service Zone, formed by the counties of Benson, Ramsey, Rolette, and Towner was chosen based the geographical attributes of the counties encompassed in the zone. Northern Rolette County is home to the beautiful rolling hills and kettle lakes called the Turtle Mountains. Benson County and Ramsey County are home to Devils Lake, the largest natural body of water in North Dakota. Towner County is home to many naturally occurring lakes. The square mileage of the Mountain Lakes Human Service Zone is 4,720 square miles. Benson County, Lakes District (Ramsey and Towner Counties), and Rolette County are all within the service catchment area of the Lake Region Human Service Center. The total population of the counties participating in Mountain Lakes Human Service Zone does not exceed 60,000 individuals.
Both Benson and Rolette Counties have large numbers of people experiencing poverty. Providing services to rural North Dakotan’s who experience poverty presents unique challenges in the delivery of human services. Mountain Lakes Human Service Zone staff have expert understanding, great skill, and inherent empathy in relation to serving rural citizens experiencing poverty. This great responsibility to advocate and serve citizens will be the core of service delivery to the citizens of Mountain Lakes Human Service Zone.
