Community Engagement

We, at Blue Earth County Public Health, believe that engaging with community members is important to the success of our endeavors. By combining our public health expertise and the community "collective intelligence", we will more accurately identify problems, develop more effective solutions, leverage community resources to create impact and develop new leaders who will advocate for the long-term health of their families and communities.
Strips.JPG

Community Partners

Our work hinges on being able to successfully partner with our communities. We are fortunate to have a wide array of community partners, including Blue Earth County schools; city and county governments; health care organizations; civic organizations and private businesses - all of whom are dedicated to forming a healthier future for Blue Earth County.

Some of our work with community partners is highlighted in the following newsletters:
The Minnesota Department of Health compiles the following reports about our community partners and initiatives:
   Evaluation Data Summaries
Strips.JPG

Community Leadership Team (CLT)


Our work is guided and enhanced by our Community Leadership Team (CLT). Our CLT is comprised of a diverse group of individuals from Blue Earth County schools; city and county governments; health care; civic organizations and private businesses - all of whom are dedicated to forming a healthier future for Blue Earth County.
 
Our CLT Charter provides more information about the roles and responsibilities of CLT members. 

CLT Meetings


Our CLT meets quarterly at the Blue Earth County Historic Courthouse.

CLT Members


BE WELL staff appreciate the time and energy that the following CLT members and organizations contribute to guiding our efforts. 

Charles Androsky, MS,  Mankato-North Mankato Area Planning Organization
Sarah Beiswanger,  Mankato Area Foundation
Mary Ann Boe,  DevaNation
Elizabeth Harstad, MSW, LISW,  Greater Mankato Area United Way
Julie Hawker,  VINE Faith in Action
Lisa Hoffman Wojcik, MS,  Mankato LEEP
Jen Horstmann,  Blue Earth County
Mohamed Ibrahim,  MCC Refugee Services
Rachel Jones,  U of M Extension SNAP-Ed
Kelly Kunkel MS CHES,  U of M Extension
Sue Larsen,  Children’s Museum of Southern Minnesota
Lori Marti,  MSU, Mankato, Student Health Services
Kelly McIntee, MA,  American Lung Association
Jessica O’Brien,  Region Nine Development Commission
Mark Piepho, MA,  Blue Earth County Commissioner
Ceceli Polzin,  Mankato Clinic
Laura Schmidt, RD, LD,  Mankato Area Public Schools
Dave Schostag,  ECHO Food Shelf Board Member
Elaine Spain,  Minnesota River Area Agency on Aging, Inc.
Michael Stalberger, MA,  Blue Earth County
Darcy Stueber, CDM, CFPP, FMP,  Mankato Area Public Schools
Jess Thormodsgard, RN, BSN, LSN,  Lake Crystal Wellcome Memorial School District 
Joe Visker, PhD, CHES,  MSU, Mankato Community Health Program
Christi Wilking,  Mayo Clinic Health System
Ryan Yunkers, EdD,  Lake Crystal Area Recreation Center
color bar

Community Assessment


Because BE WELL is a locally driven initiative where local public health and community partners implement policy, systems and environmental changes to address the specific health needs of our communities, community-specific data are essential to inform our efforts. By conducting a local community health assessment survey via a probability sample survey of adults, we have access to data about Blue Earth County adult health behaviors related to BE WELL goals.

Blue Earth County Health Needs Assessment, Fall 2016
color bar

For more information


To learn more about what BE WELL is doing in Blue Earth County, including how to partner with us in making our communities healthier places to live, feel free to contact us.
Kristen Friedrichs, MA
(507) 304-4411

Gretchen Mauerman
(507) 304-4450
BeWell Logo
To learn more about what SHIP is doing in the rest of Minnesota, visit the Minnesota Department of Health SHIP webpage.