County approves PACT for Families contract to run cannabis prevention and safe‑storage outreach

Kandiyohi County commissioners on May 20 approved a purchase‑of‑service contract with PACT for Families to implement a Cannabis Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) work plan funded by the Minnesota Department of Health.

Sarah Vandahar, executive director of PACT for Families, introduced Rachel Clark, prevention specialist and coordinator of the Kandiyohi County Drug Free Communities Coalition, who described the work plan. Clark said the CSUP funds will expand community awareness of cannabis risks and emphasize safe storage of cannabis products in homes with children. Planned activities include retail landscape assessments of cannabis license applicants, distribution of two rounds of 360 lock boxes (720 total), two distributions of 1,440 water bottles (2,880 total) with QR‑code surveys, presence at community events, social media outreach and possible billboards and radio ads.

Jody Ammerman, interim public health manager, and Caroline Khan, director of Health and Human Services, said the county received a CSUP grant from the Minnesota Department of Health and that $60,000 of the total grant award would be used for the PACT purchase‑of‑service contract. Khan explained PACT for Families operates as a joint powers entity and the county and PACT clarified contract language to reflect that relationship. The board moved to approve the contract and voted aye.

PACT and county staff said they will track engagement via QR‑code surveys and social media metrics and will coordinate distribution events with county public health staff.