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:
- Commitment: County partners provide budget and staff.
- Trauma-informed care: We choose to build a safe community that reaches all populations, including those that are often not represented.
- Collaboration: Partners work together to break down silos and share resources to ensure there is collective impact.
- 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, sex, race, color, creed, ethnicity, income, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or disability — have multiple opportunities to maximize their health.
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.
- Mental health
- Substance use
- Chronic school absenteeism
- Food insecurity
- High housing costs
- Dental care access
- Physical inactivity
- Access to health care
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
- 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