Rice County public health outlines WIC, SHIP, cannabis prevention and healthy-homes work

Deb Purfest introduced a multi-program update from the public-health and nursing unit. Sarah Coulter, supervisor of the clinic and community unit, reviewed the WIC program, staffing, clinic locations and participation: "There is $1,200,000 going into these stores from our WIC benefits alone," Coulter said, citing 2024 figures. Coulter reported roughly 1,948 individuals were served in WIC last year, with 73% children under age 5, two clinic sites (Faribault primary, satellite clinic in Northfield) and staffing notes including a recent transition and a current vacancy.

Amani Allen, SHIP coordinator, described the Minnesota Department of Health-funded Statewide Health Improvement Partnership work over the last five-year grant cycle: roughly $140,000 in community partner awards distributed across 24 projects and 15 partnerships focused on active living and healthy eating. Allen highlighted trailhead and wayfinding signage, a YMCA-supported Parkinson's boxing program and school garden projects. On tobacco and cannabis-related prevention, staff conducted compliance and education visits to 48 low-potency hemp/cannabis retailers and reported mixed compliance on clerk training and promotional restrictions; the county has run a regional communications campaign and retailer education.

Coulter also reviewed the healthy-homes program (a contractor model) and said the program aims to complete 135 home assessments by June 2026 and was at about 108 assessments at the time of the presentation. Commissioners thanked staff for the work and emphasized the public-health unit's partnerships.

Next steps: Public Health will continue SHIP projects, follow up on retailer compliance education, complete healthy-homes assessments and return with updates to the Board.