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Date:	Aug. 9, 2022
Contact:	Kirsta Sanchez, Senior Communications Specialist
Phone:	651-430-6008
E-mail:	Kirsta.sanchez@co.washington.mn.us

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The following actions were taken at the Aug. 9, 2022, Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting at the Government Center in Stillwater, Minnesota

Loth reappointed to Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District board
Chris Loth, Forest Lake, was appointed to a full first term as a manager on the Comfort Lake Forest Lake Watershed District expiring Sept. 23, 2025. Mr. Loth was first appointed in July 2021 to complete an unexpired term.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners made the appointment Aug. 9.
Contact: Holly Hess, Administrative Assistant to the County Board, 651-430-6015

New day support services group added to county service offerings
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved an application for Empower Me Group to develop a new Day Support Services program, formerly known as Day Training and Habilitation, Aug. 9.
Day Support Services (DSS) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are mandated after graduation from high school at age 21. Empower Me Group (EMG) is a licensed provider of DSS and is requesting approval to establish a new program in Washington County.
The county continues to need this service for new graduates and eligible individuals. County residents who have family members with a disability have requested more choices in vendors that provide DSS services.
The Minnesota Department of Human Services requires that the Washington County Board approve the expansion of any DSS services via a needs determination. Once approved by the County Board, the request is submitted to the Department of Human Services for approval. The addition of this program does not require additional county expenditures and will increase the choices that families and individuals will have when seeking this service.
Contact: Denise Landry, Social Services Supervisor, 651-430-4145

County Board approves plat in West Lakeland Township
The Washington County Board of Commissioners approved a plat of Saint Boniface Oaks East Second Addition in West Lakeland Township Aug. 9.
Saint Boniface Oaks East Second Addition is an abstract two-lot plat on Oakgreen Avenue North north of 10th Street North.
Contact: Nancie Schwintek, Property Records and Taxpayer Services Division Manager, 651-430-6758

Coeffective donates to county breastfeeding program
The Washington County Board of Commissioners accepted $4,285.37 from Coeffective to be used to promote breastfeeding.
The County Board accepted the donation Aug. 9.
The donation for Washington County WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Nutrition Program) is to support access to breastfeeding education and services. The Coeffective program supports the Minnesota Department of Health and the state WIC program to address systemic barriers and improve the health of birthing people and babies.
Washington County WIC was one of five agencies offered this opportunity. This money will be used to provide culturally appropriate breastfeeding books for the county libraries and scholarships for three public health staff to attend intensive breastfeeding education programs.
Contact: Emily Robb, Nursing Services Manager, 651-430-4032

Sheriff’s Office Explorers receive $1,000 donation
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office Explorers received $1,000 from Stillwater Motors as part of its Chevrolet First Responder Appreciation Test Drive program.
The County Board accepted the donation Aug. 9.
This donation is helpful for Explorers as they pay for their own equipment, training, and competitions throughout the year.
Contact: Laura Perkins, Law Enforcement Public Information Officer, 651-430-7994

County Board declares August as Minnesota Breastfeeding Month
The Washington County Board of Commissioners proclaimed August as Minnesota Breastfeeding Month at its meeting Aug. 9.
From birth, breastfeeding protects infant health. Evidence of the impact on future health for both mother and infant is growing. Increasing breastfeeding initiation, duration, and exclusivity are state and national goals.
Achieving these goals will reduce health care costs and save money for families, employers, and society. Breastfeeding promotion and support is integral to the work of the Washington County Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program to improve maternal and infant health and to reduce health disparities. The current breastfeeding rate for WIC participants is 82% at birth and 34% at six months.
This year, for the observance during August, the local WIC staff and Family Health nurses will continue to support and encourage these family decisions and offer breastfeeding classes and consultations. Public Health & Environment is working with the Library to provide additional breastfeeding resource books for county residents, as well as children’s breastfeeding books to normalize breastfeeding.
Contact: Shannon Eisentrager, Senior Communications Specialist, 651-430-6672

County Board receives performance measures, indicators report
The Washington County Board of Commissioners received the county’s 2021 Performance Measures & Indicators Report Aug. 9.
For the 22nd consecutive year, the county has completed an annual Performance Measures & Indicators Report and continues to use the measures and information provided within the report to support decision-making and help drive continuous improvement along, with other data and measures.
Measures from the current report highlighted at the Aug. 9 meeting are the cost saving of the Sentence to Service program, that allows non-violent offenders to perform community service, rather than having them housed in the county Jail, and the meal and food shelf delivery program instituted to work with community partners to address food insecurity.
The complete report may be found at www.co.washington.mn.us/performancemeasures.
Contact: Amanda Hollis, Senior Planner, 651-430-6021




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Government Center | 14949 62nd Street North | P. O. Box 6 | Stillwater, MN 55082-0006
P: 651-430-6001 | F: 651-430-6017 | TTY: 651-430-6246
www.co.washington.mn.us

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