Yesterday Pine County hired its first Community Coach in a partnership with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
The partnership was solidified back in early October when the Band and the county each pitched in $25,000 to fund the position. Pine County Board Chairman Steve Hallan said the new community coach, Lawrence Staples, will focus on lowering truancy.
"I know one of the big things they're going to work on is truancy- it all ties together. One of the things I'm hoping for is when we get the whole thing work out the way I envision, it would lead to less truancy and out-of-home placement.
The partnership between the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and Pine County for the community coach position was first reported last May on WCMP, and has finally come to fruition this week