Kanabec-Pine SHIP

With Isanti and Mille Lacs Counties

Learn more about Kanabec-Pine SHIP

How Kanabec, Pine, Isanti and Mille Lacs Counties are improving the health of their communities

The Statewide Health Improvement Program covers 51 counties, four cities and one tribal government. Kanabec-Pine SHIP received a grant of $437,263 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, six school districts added healthy snack carts to provide healthy snacks before, during, and after school, and three school districts improved the nutrition value of offerings in their a la carte line.
  • More physical activity for kids: 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 programs and physical education.
  • 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. For example, Pine Technical College Students and staff are now connected to tobacco cessation services including new Freedom from Smoking class offered directly by a local healthy system and public health staff.

Healthier communities

  • Increased 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 facilitates the development of new farmers markets and promotes their use.
  • More physical activity: Help create active communities by increasing opportunities for walking and bicycling. For example, in 2012, Cambridge sidewalks and/or trails have been added on streets that connect residents to popular destinations such as the government center, hospital, and schools; Pine City began building a trail with destinations that include high school, elementary school, library, downtown and county government center; and Princeton is at the beginning stages of designating a biking route through the city with destinations including grocery store and downtown businesses.
  • Decreased exposure to second-hand smoke at home: SHIP works with apartment building owners who wish to develop smoke-free housing policies.
  • Tobacco-free parks: Work with communities interested in tobacco-free parks, playgrounds, beaches, zoos, fairs and other recreational settings.
  • Healthy food in child care: SHIP offers training and technical assistance to child care providers to improve nutrition and teach kids about healthy eating.
  • Active child care: More physical activity is now available in licensed child care and pre-school settings through programs such as I Am Moving, I Am Learning.

Comprehensive work site wellness

  • Working with businesses: SHIP works with employers to offer healthy foods in the cafeteria and in catering, to increase opportunities for walking and biking and access to worksite recreation facilities, and to support breast feeding for working mothers. SHIP also 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 providing community resources to their patients to help make healthy living easier.

SHIP Coordinators 

Matt Holida matt.holida@co.kanabec.mn.us

Michelle Jebsen michelle.jebsen@co.kanabec.mn.us

Community Leadership Team

  • Bill Carlson, Active Living by Design
  • Penny Quast ,Mille Lacs Historical Society
  • Melissa Carstensen ,Mille Lacs County WIC
  • Barb Anderson ,Isanti County WIC
  • Cyndy Rudolph ,Onamia School District
  • Nicki Kanderud ,Cambridge Chamber of Commerce
  • Mari Maslowski, Fairview:  Princeton Medical Center
  • John Norris, Atscott Manufacturing
  • Damian Patnode, Milaca Public Schools
  • Kathy Faust, Onamia Public Schools
  • Judy Adams, Braham Public Schools

SHIP logo

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