Proudly serving Floodwood and the surrounding communities since 1977
FST is about the people we serve, the staff who provide services, the stakeholders we engage, and the community support we provide. We live our mission statement which states in part, “Provide community service and support through a compassionate and professional team...dedicated to promoting and maintaining the optimal emotional, mental, and physical well-being of our participants. All FST programs are high quality and state-licensed For more information please click on the appropriate page.
Shawna Behrendt
Working for FST has truly shaped who I have become. I started working at FST as extra summer help after receiving my AA degree. I was not going to stay. I realized I was loving what I was doing and ended staying for 5 years. I loved working with individuals, who needed a little extra help with some day-to-day tasks and their jobs. Helping individuals with disabilities and struggles is so rewarding. It is through my time working at FST that I decided to go back to school for my bachelor’s degree in Social Work, during that two-year program my daily schedule had changed and FST fully supported that change during that time. That helped so much and made me feel so supported during my schooling. Coworkers and management staff at FST truly care about you, your happiness, and wellbeing. You cannot say that about every job, at FST you are more than just an employee. I left FST shortly after receiving my bachelors but began serving on the Board of Directors. I have been part of the FST family for 8 years. I currently have my master’s degree in social work. I can thank my experience, support, and guidance I have with FST on my career choices.
Alissa Autio
I have been an employee at FST for the past 6 years.Throughout these years, my FST family supported me while starting my nursing career. While in nursing school, FST provided me employment that was flexible with my schedule each semester. I have been blessed with co-workers and management that care about me and my family. I feel respected and appreciated, which is why I chose to stay on as a casual employee along with my full-time job as an RN.
Working with individuals with disabilities, I found my true passion in working in mental health. I find my job fun and rewarding. I believe the experience gained working with the participants, has made me a better nurse and person. I have learned lifelong skills including patience, different types of communication, boundary setting, and how to be flexible. Thank you FST for allowing me to be a part of the team and family!
Drop-Off Recycling Site Open
24/7
Floodwood Curbside Recycling Program
Floodwood Curbside Recycling Program (FCRP) was successfully launched in November 2021. Made possible through a grant from MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) - Greater MN Recycling Program there are currently 51 sites registered for this curbside recycling service.
- Every household and business within the city of Floodwood is eligible to participate in the program.
- Each reigserted household (site) will receive a 50-gallon bin.
- Only clean recyclable material is collected in this container - no need to separate recycling.
- Weekly recycling is picked up curbside a clean disinfected bin will be exchanged for those with recycling items.
- If you would like further information please call Dawn Lamping, FST Executive Director or Chris Tommila, FST Program Director at (218)476-2230.
thriFSTore open:
Mon., Tues., Wed. & Fri. - 9:00AM to 2:00PM
Thurs. - 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sat. - 9:00AM - 1:00PM
Donations accepted during business hours.
Thank you for supporting the thriFSTore!
Senior Dining Menu
History and Overview
A small, rural, diverse, community minded agency, in operation for over 4 decades, Floodwood Services and Training, Inc. (FST) serves older adults, caregivers and others struggling with physical, developmental, mental health challenges. The sole provider of supplemental services in one of the most impoverished, remote areas of Minnesota its vast service area covers sections of three Minnesota counties, St. Louis, Carlton, and Itasca approximately within a 40-mile radius of Floodwood.
FST always puts the needs and aspirations of participants first providing a day program experience where they can socialize and engage in enriching activities of choice while upholding their dignity and treating them with respect.
Day Support Services (DSS): Engages adults with disabilities assisting them in developing and maintaining life skills so that they can fully participate in the community. Amenities include door-to-door transportation, community outings, nutritious in-house meals and snacks, activities, personal hygiene assistance, therapeutic intervention; etc.
Pre-Vocational/Employment Support Services (PVSE): Serves adults with intellectual and mental health needs. Participants receive job training, guidance and wages while working in job settings preparing them for competetivie integrated employment and/or self-employment.
Customized Employment: Provide personalized, fully integrated community job placement for persons which focuses on the job seeker's strengths, skills, interedests, and support needs.
Other: Recycling, thriFSTore, commercial chore services, manufacture, and sale of commercial products such as holiday wreaths, etc.
60+ Chore Services and Counseling: Offers snow removal, mowing, weeding, bush trimming, brush removal, leaf raking, and other chores on as needed basis to older adults. Counseling is available providing omnibus support via phone and e-mail consultations, at-home visits, education and other services which assist in meeting service needs.
Senior Nutrition: Caterer for home-delivered and congregate meals.
Ever vigilant of community needs FST is a community sustaining partner assisting and supporting local initiatives and programs such as providing space for the area food shelf, Floodwood Christmas Shopping Night, and many others. Staff annually participate in a community beautification project. FST has a long history as a community leader and coordinator working closely with civic, school, law enforcement, social services, support organizations and residents FST helps to provide the provide the education and system changes needed to improve living in rural Minnesota.
FST is committed to providing participants, employees, and volunteers opportunities without regard to age, ancestry, disability, national or ethnic origin, race, religious belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, political belief, or veteran status.
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