Public Health has a comprehensive community health assessment and improvement project called the Healthy Dakota Initiative. The vision for the Healthy Dakota Initiative is health and well-being for all in Dakota County.
The Healthy Dakota Initiative values:
- Connectedness: Effective communication leads to strong community connections that promote optimum well-being.
- Engagement: Individuals, families, groups and organizations actively participate in creating a healthy community.
- Inclusiveness: All who live or work in Dakota County — regardless of age, gender identity, race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status — have multiple opportunities to maximize their health.
Health Matters Survey
Public Health is seeking community health feedback from residents. To collect your input, the county developed a confidential online Health Matters Survey that asks questions about varying topics, such as availability of health services, disease in the community, health of mothers and children, and health behaviors. No personal health questions are asked.
Improving the health of Dakota County
The initial phase of the project focused on identifying health issues and concerns through a
community health assessment. Based on analysis of the data, the steering committee prioritized health concerns in the county and identified the five health priorities. The community health assessment also provides the foundation for the second phase of the initiative — developing a community health improvement plan that targets priority concerns.
- Adult mental health
- Adult physical activity
- Difficulty paying for health care
- Housing affordability
- Adolescent suicidal ideation
Steering Committee
The Steering Committee includes representatives from key partner organizations, including hospitals, clinics, schools, cities and nonprofits. The committee includes:
- Joann Arneberg, Augustana Lutheran Church
- Shannon Bailey, Dakota County resident
- Tabatha Barrett, DARTS
- Eric Carlson, City of Apple Valley
- Ericka Eid, Inver Grove Heights Police Department
- Russell Fujisawa, M Health Fairview
- Deb Griffith, City of South St. Paul
- Robert Hanson, Independent School District 197
- Melissa Houtsma, City of West St. Paul
- Amber Hurtado, Minnesota Community Care – Farmington
- Peggy Johnson, Dakota Electric Association
- Beth Landahl, Dakota County Parks
- Elyse Less, Tobacco Free Alliance
- Sarah Madden, City of Burnsville
- Mari Mellick, United Way of Hastings
- Alexis Nordling, Dakota County Technical College student
- Stacie O'Leary, Independent School District 197
- Kellee Omlid, City of Farmington
- Heather Peterson, Allina Health
- Sharmyn Phipps, University of Minnesota Extension
- Brandi Poellinger, Allina Health–United Hospital – Hastings Regina Campus
- Francisco Ramirez, M Health Fairview
- Coral Ripplinger, Dakota County Public Health
- Susan Schroeder, Neighbors Inc.
- Dr. Daniel Stein, HealthPartners
- Karina Villeda, Inver Hills Community College student