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Kandiyohi County board approves participation in Healthy Kids Minnesota biomonitoring program
Summary
The board authorized county public‑health staff to enter a joint‑powers agreement to participate in the Minnesota Department of Health’s Healthy Kids Minnesota biomonitoring project; participation is voluntary for families, MDH funds the work, and families receive individual results and incentives.
On Jan. 20, 2026, Kandiyohi County’s Board of Commissioners voted to participate in Healthy Kids Minnesota, a Minnesota Department of Health‑funded biomonitoring program that tests urine samples from preschool‑age children (ages 3–6) to measure exposure to chemicals such as metals and pesticides.
Public Health Manager Jody Ammerman said the program will work with local schools and public‑health agencies; Minnesota Department of Health lab testing is funded by MDH and the project would be non‑levy for the county. Participation is voluntary and requires parental consent; families who participate receive individual results, a $40 Visa gift card and a free home well test kit. "The families do get results back," Ammerman said, adding that the program can inform follow‑up and community education.
Commissioners asked about staffing and time impact. Ammerman said the work would align with early‑childhood screening events and would require training for five nurses, approximately two half‑days per month of nursing time during the field period (April–October). MDH would contract separately with the school district and the county via a joint‑powers agreement; MDH funding would cover nurses' time.
The board voted to allow staff to proceed with the joint‑powers agreement and participation. Ammerman said MDH will notify families and work with local partners on outreach and consent procedures.
