Lincoln County Health Department has been awarded a $10,000 grant from the Wisconsin Division of Public Health’s Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity Program to work with area communities on implementing the Community Health Assessment and Group Evaluation (CHANGE) grant. The CHANGE grant is a data-collection, planning resource for coalitions and other community partnerships developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The goal is to make communities a healthier place to live, work, learn and play through community partnerships. That data will then be used to help create a community action plan to help better address the areas of healthy eating and active living. Lincoln County is one out of 12 counties receiving this grant funding.
“Working with our community leaders in businesses, schools, organizations, government positions, and healthcare organizations, we hope to come together to better understand and create a healthier living environment in our county,” states Kristi Krombholz, public health nurse for Lincoln County. The CHANGE assessment tool will assist the communities in identifying the assets they already have and where gaps exist.
Lincoln County is excited to have received the CHANGE grant and to proceed with the data collection, analysis and coalition training. Krombholz noted. Partnerships between the communities and Lincoln County will maximize effectiveness and minimize duplication over time.
“The result will undoubtedly be one that will shift the culture in our region to one of making healthier choices, and therefore; improve the health outcomes of area residents,” she said.
Community Partners already involved in the grant include Ministry Good Samaritan Health Center, Ministry Sacred Heart Hospital, Aging and Disability Resource Center, Lincoln County Health Department, Lincoln County Board of Health, and Lincoln County UW – Extension.
The Health Department is asking any schools, worksites, community organizations, healthcare, or community members that are interested in becoming part of this team to please contact the Lincoln County Health Department at 715-536-0307 and ask for either Wendy Hilmershausen or Kristi Krombholz. The next meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 7, from 3- 4:30 p.m. at the Lincoln County Health Department. The health department is located at 607 N. Sales Street, Merrill.