Dakota County programs win national awards for corrections, public-health communications and library partnerships

Dakota County officials used the Aug. 4 board meeting to recognize multiple national honors earned by county teams.

Swana Kirkland, director of Community Corrections, and Supervisor Chris Cornell introduced the county’s Evidence Based Practice unit and noted measurable gains: "Since 2019, referrals to our programming internally in our county have increased from 110 to about 280 clients annually," Cornell said, adding that completion rates "remain strong at 82 percent for juveniles, 75 percent for adult men, and 73 percent for adult women." The department credited investments in staff training and coaching for those outcomes.

Public-health communications coordinator Matt Giljohn described a NACCHO model practice that shifted the department from reactive, event-driven messaging to an annual planning approach that improved timeliness at no additional cost. Public-health Director Gina Pastalka and Library Director Jen Reichardt Simpson described a National Association of Counties Achievement Award for converting library branches into public-health hubs; they reported that last year library sites distributed "over 1,200 naloxone kits, 300 fentanyl test strip kits, and over 2,000 opioid educational materials," and hosted numerous parent-support sessions.

Commissioners praised the staff and noted that national recognition underscores county leadership and innovative program design even as budget pressures continue. The board presented awards and took photographs with program staff following the recognitions.