Isanti County approves two HHS contracts totaling $40,345 for parenting programs and website outreach

The Isanti County Board approved two Health & Human Services contracts funded by grant dollars: a $25,000 agreement with Plum Behavioral Health to deliver evidence‑based parenting prevention and education services to parents across the five counties in Region 70, and a $15,345 Place Based advertising campaign paid from COVID‑19 grant funds to promote a new Isanti County resource website.

Jody Dona, Isanti County Health and Human Services director, said the parenting program is designed to support parents with mental health needs through structured, online group curriculum that accommodates working parents. "Approving this contract allows Region 70 to expand prevention‑focused parenting education across all of the five counties," Dona said. The board approved that contract unanimously.

Dona described the Place Based campaign as a three‑month, countywide outreach effort that will place physical advertising and window clings in businesses and community locations to boost awareness and long‑term traffic to the county’s new resource website; the Minnesota Department of Health reviewed the expense and approved it as allowable under the COVID‑19 grant. "The website is on track. We're hoping to launch in May," Dona said. Commissioners emphasized the campaign should reduce staff time spent responding to routine inquiries by directing residents to one central hub.

Both actions were approved by roll call with no levy impact, and staff noted the website and outreach are intended to be ongoing resources beyond the three‑month advertising window.