Rice County Public Health has launched a new “Healthy Rice County” website as part of the agency’s “Statewide Health Improvement Program” (SHIP) initiative. Visit http://healthyricecounty.org today!
Information on Healthy Rice County:
Healthy Rice County is an initiative led by Rice County Public Health with funding from a Statewide Health Improvement Program (SHIP) grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. SHIP addresses the top three causes of preventable illness and death in the United States: tobacco use, physical inactivity and poor nutrition. The work of SHIP occurs in four areas: Schools, Work Sites, Health Care Facilities, and Communities.
Check out the website for information on SHIP-related efforts in all of these areas, as well as the availability of mini-grants to support local projects.
Questions? Contact the Rice County SHIP Coordinator, Natalie Ginter at (507) 645-9576 or nginter@co.rice.mn.us
February 26, 2010 – 5:09 pm
All are invited to an education session on Adolescent Brain Development on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Buckham Memorial Library in Faribault. The training will be led by Dr. Ken Winters from the University of Minnesota. For more information, click HERE.
There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required. Lunch is provided. To RSVP, contact Becky Ford at 507-838-1788 or bky_ford@msn.com.
The training is sponsored by the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition.
February 19, 2010 – 10:37 am
Do you have extra, unneeded athletic shoes around? Would you like to donate them?
The Youth Sports Equipment Exchange is a group of middle school students who are aware that the cost of “special” athletic shoes can become an obstacle that prevents some children from participating in sports. We all know how quickly youth outgrow their shoes and clothing. Oftentimes shoes can only be worn for one season. This group of youth, under the supervision of Jordan Taylor (HCI’s AmeriCorps Promise Fellow), will be coordinating this effort to assure everyone has the right equipment to play.
All middle schoolers will be eligible to use this program. We are currently seeking donations of your used athletic shoes (soccer, football, baseball, and basketball shoes). Shoes should be clean and in good condition. Please bring them to the drop-off box in the Northfield Middle School Office any time during school hours.
If you have questions, call Jordan Taylor, Northfield HCI Promise Fellow (507-664-3524) or e-mail – jordan.taylor553@gmail.com.
February 18, 2010 – 12:48 pm
Kathy Ness, Northfield Public Library Children’s Librarian, has been named the HCI Making a Difference Award for February. The award celebrates groups and individuals who have a positive impact on youth in the community.
Kathy was nominated for her work with youth on the Northfield Library Teen Advisory Board (TAB) and her dedication to the youth in Northfield. She is an advocate for youth and does a wonderful job of creating opportunities for teens to take on leadership roles.
HCI and the Northfield News cooperatively present the Making a Difference Award. If you know an individual or group that you would like to nominate for this award, visit www.northfieldhci.org for application guidelines.
February 13, 2010 – 4:10 pm
Just a reminder….
Through the federal Drug-Free Communities grants, HCI and the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition have made up to $10,000 in funding available to support the implementation of evidence-based programs in schools to reduce youth alcohol and drug use. Any school located in Rice County is eligible to apply. For a copy of the Request for Proposals, click here: School Curriculum RFP Reminder.
Applications are due by 5:00 p.m. on February 24, 2010.
Questions? Call HCI at 664-3524
January 31, 2010 – 5:36 pm
Need help with homework? Come to the Homework Zone on Monday and Thursday evenings at Greenvale Park School! The Homework Zone runs from 6:30-8:00 p.m. and is open to all Northfield students, elementary through high school.
Laptop computers are available to use. Volunteer tutors are also able to work individually with students. There is no cost to participate and no advanced registration is required.
Click on the image for more information.
Homework Zone is sponsored by the PRIMEtime after school collaborative.
Questions? Call Jen Winterfeldt (Youth Development Coordinator) at 507-664-3654
January 25, 2010 – 1:03 pm
Take It To The Box, the Rice County medication disposal program, will be featured on WCCO-TV Channel 4 tonight (January 25, 2010) as part of the 10 p.m. news broadcast. Northfield Police Chief Mark Taylor will discuss the Northfield program during a WCCO-TV report on heroin overdoses in Minneapolis.
Since September 2009, more than 600 pounds of over-the-counter and prescription medications have been deposited at the Rice County drop-0ff sites! The medication disposal boxes are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day in the lobbies of the Northfield and Faribault police departments.
Thanks to the work of the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition (RCCHC), Mary Nelson (Take It to The Box program coordinator), and the Northfield and Faribault police departments, this hugely successful medication disposal program works toward the prevention of potential medication abuse/misuse and environment contamination.
For more information on Take It To The Box, visit www.ricecountychc.com or call 507-664-3524 or 507-332-5911.
January 24, 2010 – 11:11 am
Parents Meeting Parents will host a community screening of the documentary, Including Samuel on Thursday, January 28, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. The screening will take place at St. John’s Church (500 W. 3rd Street). The event is free and open to the public.
The 58-minute documentary will be followed by facilitated discussion groups for youth (ages 6-12), teens, professionals, businesses, and parents. CEUs are available.
For more information on the event, click HERE.
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Including Samuel is an award-winning film by Dan Habib. It examines the educational and social inclusion of youth with disabilities. The documentary chronicles the Habib family’s efforts to include Samuel in every facet of their lives, and also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with teachers, parents, and disability rights experts.
December 1, 2009 – 9:56 pm
The Northfield Skating School is organizing a December skate drive to help expand Northfield’s rental skate supply and meet its mission of increasing the community’s access to ice activities. Figure and hockey skates of all sizes are welcome. The drive will continue through the month of December.
Drop box locations include:
- Northfield Ice Arena, 1280 Bollenbacher Drive (Pro Shop Window)
- Goodbye Blue Monday Coffee House, 314 Division St. (Entrance hallway)
- Carleton College ACT Office (Sayles-Hill main floor)
- St. Olaf College SGA Office (107 Buntrock Commons)
- Culver’s (Hwy 3)
The Northfield Skating School teaches skaters of all ages with a full range of skating goals: Aspiring hockey players, recreational skaters, competitive figure skaters, adults, families, and everyone in between. NSS also partners with schools and community groups to host skating programs. It was named a U.S. Figure Skating Model Program and has received the Making a Difference Award from the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative.
November 19, 2009 – 1:21 pm
In case you haven’t seen it, there is a neat video on efforts to r
educe prescription drug abuse in Rice County. It can be found on the Rice County Chemical Health Coalition’s website.
The video was created by Jordan Taylor during an internship with HCI. It is part of the “Take It to The Box” prescription drug disposal campaign.
The video was made possible through funding from a Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant to the Northfield Hospital. The Rural Hospital Flexibility Grant program is funded by the Minnesota Department of Health.
Information on Healthy Rice County:
