Community Health

The Community Health Unit engages with several community groups to address community priorities and needs for all age groups.  Initiatives currently focus on increasing physical activity and nutrition; reducing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use and exposure; and, promoting community connections and positive mental wellbeing.

Todd County Social Host Ordinance

A Social Host Ordinance holds individuals (social hosts) criminally responsible for hosting or allowing a party, on public or private property, where persons under the age of 21 possess or consume alcohol, regardless of who supplied the alcohol to minors.  For more information on the Todd County Social Host Ordinance, contact the Sheriff’s Office.

Social Host Ordinance

Todd County Council on Aging

Volunteer Opportunities

MN Responds

Meals on Wheels Drivers

Volunteer Driver – If you are interested in becoming a volunteer driver, please contact Verna Toenyan at 320-533-4637.

For more information on ways to engage in community health issues, please contact Katherine Mackedanz at Katherine.mackedanz@co.todd.mn.us or 320-732-4452.

In Minnesota, community health assessments are performed for the geographic regions covered by Community Health Boards (CHB’s). A thorough and valid community health assessment is a customary practice and core function of public health, and also a national standard for all public health departments. Since the passage of the Local Public Health Act in 1976, Minnesota CHB’s have been required to engage in a community health improvement process, beginning with a Community Health Assessment (CHA). In 2013-2014, the Morrison-Todd-Wadena Community Health Board collaborated with local health care systems to complete a Community Health Survey and their community health needs assessment.  For more information on the results of the assessment, see the full report below as well as supplemental documents.

• Community Health Needs Assessment 2014 – Final
• Top 10 Community Health Issues
• Community Health Improvement Plans -2014 Obesity & Mental Health
• Community Health Improvement Plan – 2017 Progress Report
• Community Health Improvement Plan – 2019 Progress Report
• Morrison-Todd-Wadena Community Health Board Annual Reports
• 2015 Annual CHB Report
• 2016 Annual CHB Report
• 2017 Annual CHB Report
• 2018 Annual CHB Report

Drug Free Communities (DFC)

The Drug-Free Communities Support Program (DFC) is a Federal grant program that provides funding to the Todd County CAD (Creating a Difference) coalition to prevent youth substance use. The philosophy behind the DFC Program is that local drug problems require local solutions. This is a five year funding opportunity (October, 2015-September, 2020) to support staffing, implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies and community coalition development. The DFC grant focuses on youth grades 6-12 and implements strategies across Todd County to reduce youth alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana use.

Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP)

We all want to be healthy, but sometimes we need a helping hand. The Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) does this by focusing on increasing physical activity, improving nutrition and reducing the number of people who use tobacco or are exposed to it. SHIP is a collaborative effort including Morrison, Todd, and Wadena County public health agencies, local healthcare providers, community groups, worksites and schools working together to make it easier for everyone to be healthier. MN is leading the nation in obesity prevention due in part to efforts of this project.

Tobacco Free Communities (TFC)

The Tobacco-Free Communities Grant aims to reduce and prevent youth tobacco use and address tobacco-related disparities across Morrison, Todd, and Wadena Counties by promoting community-driven tobacco prevention and control activities and strategies. Grant staff implement activities that help build community capacity, change social norms around tobacco, and foster community readiness and support for tobacco control policies within their communities.

Todd County Health & Human Services’ staff provide follow up on any reported contagious disease and collaborate with the Minnesota Department of Health. Consultation and education is provided to schools, childcare facilities and county residents about communicable diseases.

Immunizations for uninsured and underinsured

State law requires that children and teens have certain immunizations before they are allowed to attend public or private school. The state health department offers information on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and Immunization Schedules that list all the required vaccinations and schedules for infants, children in child care and pre-school settings, students in grades K-12 and post-secondary education, and adults.  To sign up for an immunization clinic, please contact Todd County Health & Human Services at 320-732-4500.

Many answers to questions parents have about immunizations

Todd County Public Health participates in the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MnVFC) Program and the Uninsured or Underinsured Adult Vaccine Program. These programs provide immunizations for individuals six weeks of age and older who do not have insurance or whose insurance does not cover immunizations and for adults who are uninsured or underinsured. You may also call Todd County Health & Human Services at 320-732-4500 to determine if you or your child is eligible to receive vaccine through the MnVFC program.

Flu clinics are provided for the public at various sites in Todd County in October and November.

Public Health also participates in the Minnesota Immunization Information Connection (MIIC) which is a confidential, computerized information system that maintains a record of a person’s immunizations. MIIC is a program among health care providers, parents, public health agencies and schools aimed at preventing disease through immunization.

Working at the local, regional, and state level, Health & Human Services is developing a strong system for responding to a wide range of potential disasters, including bioterrorism, as well as natural events such as disease outbreaks, floods, and tornadoes.

Health Alert Network (HAN)

This state-level system detects unusual disease patterns or health threats and sends out alerts to local public health agencies. Public Health sends the message on to health care providers, hospitals, clinics, and others in the network.

Emergency Medical Services

Public Health serves as a coordinating agency for First Response Teams and other medical providers.

What is MN Responds?

Minnesota Responds is a partnership that integrates local, regional, and statewide volunteer programs to assist our public health and healthcare systems during a disaster. Todd County is actively recruiting new volunteers to join MN Responds to assist in an emergency.

For more information visit:  https://mnresponds.org/index.php

Report Public Health Emergencies

A public health emergency is anything that causes, or could cause injuries or illness to a large number of people. Please use the following guidelines to determine how to respond:

•   If this is an emergency, call 9-1-1.
•   To report a natural or manmade emergency that may have public
•   Health consequences for the community, call Todd County Dispatch at 320-732-2157 or Toll-Free: 1-800-794-5733 or call the Minnesota Department of Health Emergency Operations at 651-201-5735.
•   For a poisoning emergency, call the Minnesota Poison Control System
•   At 1-800-222-1222.

For Other Health Concerns, Please Use The Following Guidelines:

•   If you are ill, call your healthcare provider.
•   If you think you are ill from eating food in a public setting, call the Minnesota Foodborne Illness Hotline at 651-201-5655 or (toll free) 1-800-FOOD-ILL.
•   If you have had physical contact with a bat, call your healthcare provider. If you find a bat in your home, capture it. Wait until regular business hours to call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414 for advice.
•   If you are a physician with an infectious disease issue, call the Minnesota Department of Health at 651-201-5414 or 1-877-676-5414, anytime. After hours, you will be able to leave a message and the on-call staff will return your call.

If you have a non-emergency question about any type of a public health emergency or public health concern, call 320-732-4500 during regular business hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Food, Pool and Lodging Licensing

Todd County Health & Human Services provides licensing to food, beverage and lodging establishments and licensing for special food events. Please contact 320-732-4500 for more information.

If you think you are ill from eating food in a public setting, call the Minnesota Foodborne Illness Hotline at 651-201-5655 or (toll free) 1-800-FOOD-ILL.

Environmental Fee Schedule

Environmental Health Ordinance

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Special Event Stands

Special Event License – Who Needs One

Todd County Vendor Information – MDH

Special Event Food Stand Application – English

Special Event Food Stand Application – Spanish

Special Event Food Addendum – English

Special Event Food Addendum – Spanish

Special Event Letter – English

Special Event Letter – Spanish

Special Event Food Stand MDH Fact Sheet – English

Special Event Food Stand MDH Fact Sheet – Spanish

Special Event MDH Food Stand Checklist

Dishwashing Instructions

Temporary Handwashing System

Farmers Market Bake Sale Statute

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Camping

Special Event Camping Application

Policy for Special Event Camping

Special Event Camping Letter

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Vacation Home Rental

Short Term Vacation Rental Checklist

Short Term Vacation Rental Ordinance

VRBO Room Schedule

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Tobacco Licensing

Todd County Health & Human Services licenses establishments who wish to sell tobacco products. Please contact Amy Zimmerman at 320-732-4423 for more information.

Todd County Tobacco Sales & Access Ordinance

Tobacco License Application

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Public Health Nuisances

Todd County Health & Human Services follows up on public health nuisances. A public health nuisance is different from a public nuisance or a city code violation. The situation may be a public health nuisance if it can make people sick, cause and infestation of insects or rodents, or can pose a health threat/injury to others who may enter the area.

To report a suspected public health nuisance in Todd County please contact 320-732-4500.

Families are central to the physical, social and emotional development of infants and young children.  Family home visiting (FHV) is a voluntary, home-based service ideally delivered prenatally through the early years of a child’s life. It provides social, emotional, health and parenting support and information to families, and links them to appropriate resources. Programs within the Maternal  Child Health (MCH) unit strive to improve the health status of children and youth, women and families.

Services provided in Family Home Visiting:

Child Passenger Safety – Car Seat Checks and Education

Child Passenger Safety Technicians are available to answer questions regarding child safety seats and check your car seats.  During an appointment seats are evaluated for defects, recall listings, suitability for the age of the child, and fit with the safety belt system in the vehicle. This service is available at no charge.

Car Seat Distribution – South Country Health Alliance insurance plan provide car seats.  Contact your health plan to determine if you are eligible. Call Todd County Health & Human Services to schedule an appointment time to receive a child safety seat and instructions on proper use and installation.

Child and Teen Checkups

Family Planning Health Services

Services Provided:

• Health Education
• Family Planning
• Physical Exams – Males & Females
• Pregnancy Testing & Counseling
• Pap Smear
• Reproductive Health Services
• STI Screening and Treatment

Cost:

• Services are low-cost to free.
• Charges for services will be based on your income and family size.
• All insurances are accepted
• No one is refused service due to the inability to pay.

For more information visit: http://www.mahube.org/services/family-health/ or call Stephanie to schedule an appointment at 320-732-4447.

 

Follow Along Program

Home Visits – Supporting Family Health and Development

Teen Pregnancy

WIC Program

The Community Health Unit provides information, resources, and referrals for senior services in Todd County.  In coordination with civic, church, and other community groups (public and private) our staff develop and maintain interest and participation in senior citizens programs, identify emerging aging needs, and provide support and information for caregivers.  For more information on senior services, contact Aging Coordinator, Verna Toenyan at 320-533-4637, verna.toenyan@co.todd.mn.us.

Long Term Care & Waivered Services

Meals on Wheels-Contact your local senior center to sign up for meals.

Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP)

Senior Centers

Senior Companion

Foster Grandparents

Volunteer Driver Program

The Todd County Volunteer Driver Program offers Todd County residents 60 years of age or older transportation for medical appointments and other basic needs at a minimal cost (.20/mile).  Residents in need of transportation must sign up prior to using the program by contacting Vicki Paskewitz at 218-894-6300.

Additional Information:

ACT on Alzheimer’s

Senior LinkAge Line® – Minnesota Board on Aging’s free statewide information and assistance service.  1-800-333-2433

Disability Linkage Line – is an information and referral service for people with disabilities.  The Disability Linkage Line can be reached statewide by calling toll-free, 1-866-333-2466. An Option Counselor will be available during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to provide one-to-one assistance to help people learn about their options and connect with the supports and services they choose.

Central MN Council on Aging – non-profit organization and designated by the Minnesota Board on Aging (off site) as the area agency on aging serving Benton, Cass, Chisago, Crow Wing, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd, Wadena and Wright counties. Central MN Council on Aging Senior Housing and Services Guide