Cass County Public Health announces Kickoff events for SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program). 

 *Monday, April 26^th: 4:00pm-6:00pm:

Cass County Health, Human and Veteran Services Lobby. Located in Walker at 400 Michigan Avenue.                                 

*Wednesday, May 5^th: 4:00pm-6:00pm

The Shante:  Located on highway 210 next to Lakewood Clinic in Pillager. Reception and presentations will be held in the meeting room.

*Thursday, May 6^th: 4:00-6:00pm

Pine River/Backus School Commons in Pine River.

*PowerPoint presentations held at 4pm and 5pm.

 The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will be registered to win a healthy fruit basket.

The Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP), an integral part of Minnesota’s nation-leading 2008 health reform law, strives to help Minnesotans lead longer, healthier lives by preventing the chronic disease risk factors of tobacco use and exposure, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. SHIP seeks to create sustainable, systemic changes in schools, worksites, communities and health care organizations that make it easier for Minnesotans to incorporate healthy behaviors into their daily lives.

Leslie Staker- SHIP Coordinator and Jamie Richter-Cass County Adult Health Supervisor are leading the program with the support of the Community Leadership Team. The Community Leadership Team is a group of professionals that represent schools, worksites, health care organizations and community partners in Cass County. This group provides key direction and decision making for the Cass County SHIP.

Cass County has partnered together on the following SHIP activities to improve the environment in which residents live, learn, work and play to decrease tobacco use and exposure and obesity.

Community: Promote nutrition through menu labeling and farmers markets.

Schools: Implement comprehensive physical activity and nutrition policies.

Health Care: Refer patients at clinics to community resources that will help them stay healthy.

Worksites: Implement wellness policies at worksites to support employee health.

For more information on the Kickoff event or Cass County SHIP, please contact Leslie Staker at 218-280-2277 or LStaker@yahoo.com