Clay-Wilkin SHIP

with partners Becker and Otter Tail Counties

PartnerSHIP 4 Health http://partnership4health.org

How Clay, Wilkin, Becker and Otter Tail Counties
are improving the health of their communities

The Statewide Health Improvement Program covers 51 counties, four cities and one tribal government. Clay-Wilkin received a grant of $858,543 for fiscal years 2012-13.

Working with schools

  • Healthy eating in schools: With farm to School, SHIP connects farmers with schools to provide fresh, local foods. Efforts may include school gardens to educate children and supplement food offerings. In addition, SHIP is working with schools to offer healthy snacks and healthy food at celebrations and fundraisers. For example, in 2012, two schools added new salad bars and two schools have school orchards with a variety of apple trees, plum trees and blueberries.
  • More physical activity: SHIP helps schools with Safe Routes to School programs, making it easier for kids to walk or bike to school. Plus, SHIP works to integrate more physical activity into their students’ day through Active Classrooms programs, active recess and physical education. For example, in 2012, Detroit Lakes kicked off its Safe Routes to School plans with 3,000 students walking on new sidewalks on International Walk to School Day.
  • Decreased exposure to second-hand smoke at colleges: SHIP teams up with colleges interested in a tobacco-free policy for staff and visitors on school grounds, in student housing, and at school sponsored events.

Healthier communities

  • More access to healthy food: SHIP works to improve access to nutritious foods by increasing availability and affordability in grocery and corner stores, concession facilities and other food vendors. SHIP also facilitates the development of new farmers markets and promote their use to the public.
  • More physical activity: SHIP helps create active communities by increasing opportunities for walking and bicycling. For example, in 2012, Complete Streets policies were adopted in Fergus Falls and Frazee, which will eventually make it easier for residents to integrate physical activity into their daily routines.
  • Less exposure to second-hand smoke at home: SHIP helps building owners who wish to develop smoke-free housing policies. For example, Moorhead Public Housing Authority is going smoke-free in 2 multi-housing unit buildings starting in July 2013.

Comprehensive work site wellness

  • Working with businesses: SHIP works with employers to offer healthy foods in the cafeteria and in catering. For example, in 2012, KLN Family Brands (Barrel o’ Fun and Tuffy’s Dog Food) added healthy food options to staff meetings. SHIP also works to increase opportunities for walking and biking and access to worksite recreation facilities, and to support breast feeding for working mothers. SHIP encourages tobacco-free policies, as well as health plan coverage of, and onsite support for, tobacco cessation efforts.

Prevention in health care

  • Working with health care providers: With SHIP, more health care providers are screening and documenting Body Mass Index and tobacco use and exposure and then provide community resources to their patients to help make healthy living easier.

SHIP Coordinator

Gina Nolte Gina.Nolte@co.clay.mn.us

Community Leadership Team

  • Pam Bernstein- Clay Wilkin Head Start
  • Jennifer Bailey-Dejong- Concordia College
  • Deb Jacobs- Wilkin County Public Health
  • Brenda Menier- Minnesota Department of Health
  • Tom Whelihan-Minnesota State Community Technical College
  • Sara Van Offelen- University of Minnesota Extension Moorhead Office
  • Jill Bartlett, Lakes County Services Cooperative
  • Rory Beil, Cass Clay Healthy People Initiative
  • Kim Bettcher, Detroit Lakes Community and Cultural Center
  • Rita Cowie, Sanford Health System - Pelican Rapids
  • Kathy Hanneman, St. Francis Medical Center
  • Wayne Hurley, AICP, West Central Initiative
  • Nancy Jost, West Central Initiative
  • Melissa Mattson, Lakes County Services Cooperative
  • Kathy McKay, Clay County Public Health
  • Patricia Patron, Family Healthcare Center
  • Richard Rathge, North Dakota State Data Center
  • Shawn Krause Roberts, Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy Incorporated
  • Sue Seip, Perham School District
  • Ronda Stock, Becker County Community Health Services
  • Diane Thorson, Ottertail Public Health

SHIP logo

Updated Monday, 01-Apr-2013 16:11:56 CDT