Media Release from Cook County Public Health and Human Services - March 23, 2020

Cook County Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) seeks to build a volunteer base using the MN Responds system and invites interested community members to register online at http://mnresponds.org. 

Minnesota Responds is a partnership that integrates and engages local, regional, and statewide volunteer programs to strengthen public health and health care response. The Minnesota Responds tool allows local public health to pre-register, manage and mobilize volunteers to help their communities respond to all types of incidents. 

PHHS and our partners in health care anticipate that both medical and non-medically trained volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks related to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in Cook County. 

To register, visit http://mnresponds.org and follow the prompts to join the “NE MN Responds Unit/Cook County Program.” 

• Indicate whether you are a medical or non-medical volunteer 

• Complete all information on how we can contact you including your email address and phone number, this is critical as it will allow us to contact you with opportunities to volunteer, and to address any questions about registration 

• You will be provided with orientation and training locally prior to receiving a volunteer assignment 

“We have been overwhelmed with the outpouring of support from community members asking how they can help their neighbors during this emerging public health crisis,” said Grace Grinager, Cook County Public Health Coordinator, “We are pleased to have a tool to offer to help recruit and manage interested community members as needs increase in Cook County.” 

One of the first projects identified by PHHS and the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is to provide volunteer support to grocery stores. Volunteers with this program would act as greeters and help orient shoppers to basic public health and safety practices while shopping. 

Other assignments will be available over time including behavioral health support and providing essential services to persons who are in isolation or quarantine in their homes.