Health Program Requires Participation

Community Health Board of both counties, including leaders from city and county government, schools community education and business, worked towards implementation of the program.

Craig Miller of Waseca was hired to lead the program and the two counties received a two-year $407,000 grant, one of 39 grants totaling $47 mil lion awarded statewide, to fund implementation of SHIP goals. SHIP programs could benefit the 47,500 residents in the Waseca-Le Sueur area. Everything is in place but success of the program will take the participation of the people who live here.

It begins with 400 random surveys mailed this week to Waseca County residents. The survey asks questions about nutrition, physical activity and tobacco use. Information obtained will be used to determine current health status and barriers to good nutrition and physical activity. And all information from the surveys is confidential.

Miller said the goal is to make it easy for the public to be healthy but the program’s success depends on community involvement. He needs people and organizations to serve in small groups or to apply for mini grants that focus on specific ways to combat obesity and tobacco use. So turn in your survey if you get one. And contact Miller at 507 835-0686 or

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