Every five years Cook County Public Health staff is tasked with facilitating a process to assess and improve the health and well-being of the Cook County community. After initial community meetings, a planning group continues to chart a course toward accomplishing the shared goals associated with improving each priority health area. The Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Planning processes are required of local public health agencies under Minnesota State Statute.

Cook County completed a draft of its 2023-2027 Community Health Assessment (CHA) and hosted a June meeting to gather community feedback on the report. On July 13 from 1:00-4:00 p.m. there will be a follow-up meeting at the Cook County Community Center. The meeting will move from a recap of the health assessment review into action planning with a goal of developing a shared list of 3-5 priority areas on which to focus health improvement efforts and guide the work of our local public health department over the next five years. 

There will also be a virtual option to attend the session. Pre-registration for the event is preferred to ensure adequate facilitation of both the online and in-person. You can access a virtual copy of the draft CHA and register for the 7/13 event on the Cook County Public Health and Human Services website at:   https://co.cook.mn.us/government/departments/public_health_and_human_services/public_health/community_health_assessment_and_improvement_plan.php or by emailing [email protected] for assistance in accessing the link.

We would love to have broad representation and participation in this process. All are welcome to attend, even if you did not attend the June session. If you are not able to make the community meetings but would still like to offer feedback, please reach out directly to Grace Grinager, Public Health Supervisor at [email protected] or by calling 218-387-3605.

A quorum of commissioners may be present at this public meeting, though no official county business will be conducted during the session.

About Cook County, MN 

Cook County encompasses the sovereign nation of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa; the City of Grand Marais; the Townships of Lutsen, Tofte and Schroeder; and unincorporated areas in the easternmost part of Minnesota’s North Shore. Cook County Government values transparency and strives to deliver superior services and programs in a fiscally responsible way. We value the dignity of all County residents and seek to create a community that provides opportunity for all. Many of our offices are in the Cook County Courthouse at 411 W 2nd St, Grand Marais 55604. Other departments and facilities, such as the Airport, Community Center, Highway and Sheriff are located nearby. Call 218-387-3000 or visit: https://co.cook.mn.us.