MDH Commissioner visits Moorhead

Dr. Ed Ehlinger MN Commissioner of Health, stopped in  Moorhead on Tuesday morning, August 28th as part of his "Pitch the Commissioner" trip around Minnesota. In his visits Dr Erlinger has learned that there are acute needs in most communities and that the public health infrastructure is weakening. 

Lakes & Prairies Executive Director Joe Pederson who is also chair of the Minnesota Community Action Partnership board of directors "pitched Community Action" as a key partner with MDH and county Public Health in keeping our communities healthy. He discussed with Dr. Ehlinger how Community Action Agencies play a key role in engaging low income and disadvantaged Minnesotans.

Joe Pederson (left), Dr. Erlinger (center), and Moorhead
Mayor Mark Voxland, (right)

What does your community need to be healthy? Lakes & Prairies Board members and staff emphasized the need for safe affordable child care, early childhood education, Head Start and Early Head Start and the importance of dental access for low income families. In the pictures below, Lakes & Prairies board members Lyle Hovland, and Stephanie Miranowski and Joe continue to "pitch Community Action" with Dr. Ehlinger at Davies Park in Moorhead. 

 



Lyle Hovland, Wilkin County Commissioner and Lakes
& Prairies Board Member pitches Community Action with
Commissioner Elinger

Stephanie Minanowski, Wilkin County Commissioner and
Lakes & Prairies Board Secretary/Treasurer pitches
Community Action with Matthew Collie, Legislative
Liaison, MDH.






Save the Date! -- KIDS COUNT COFFEE

Kids Count Coffee-Moorhead - Sept. 25, 1:00 P.M.



Save the date for the Children's Defense Fund -Minnesota KIDS COUNT Coffee.  Learn about regional trends in children's health, education, and economic stability.  Get a special look at Kids Count data from a rural perspective.  Find out about best practices being used across the state to improve outcomes for children, adults and families.  Those attending will receive copies of all presentation materials.  

This year’s 2012 Minnesota KIDS COUNT Data Book entitled Children Across Minnesota explores the unique challenges of families living in Greater Minnesota and addresses the often overlooked realities of living in rural areas.

When:	Tuesday, September 25th, 2012* 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Where:	Map this event » Family Service Center 715 11th Street North, Meeting Room 4 Moorhead, MN 56560
Contact:	Ken Fredette kenf@lakesandprairies.net for more information

Registering to attend is helpful but not mandatory.

You can register by emailing kenf@lakesandprairies.net just put the words KIDS COUNT in the subject line or call 218-299-7315.

* A Kids Count Coffee is also taking place on Wednesday, September 26th at West Central Initiative in Fergus Falls at 10:00 A.M..  Go to www.wcif.org for more information and click on their events calendar.

Minnesota Voter I.D. - Makes you think....

As citizens across Minnesota consider a Voter I.D. Amendment, this League of Women Voters - MN YouTube video provides some important things to consider about who would be affected.  A Look At Voter I.D. Statistics.

A MINNESOTA WITHOUT POVERTY by 2020

"A Minnesota Without Poverty" gathering. was held on Saturday, February 27, 2010 at the Knutson Campus Center, Centrum, at Concordia College, Moorhead, MN.

This gathering joined with others who were attending similar gatherings is Rochester, Duluth and Wilmar. Portions of the event wwere streamed live from St. Paul and featured keynote speaker Don Samuels, activist business leader, pastor and city council member.

Local presenters at the Knutson Campus Center include:

• MN House Representative Morrie Lanning, District 09A, who served on the LCEP 2020 Commisison
• Gregory Gray, who served as Director of the MN Legislative Commission to End Poverty (LCEP) by 2020;
• Bishop Larry Wohlrabe, Northwestern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in America (ELCA), and
• Bishop Michael Hoeppner, Catholic Bishop of the Crookston Diocese.
  

Donations were accepted with the money going towar gas and transit cards to assist workers and people seeking employment.

Community Discusses GAMC

General Assistance Medical Care (GAMC) is being replaced by MN Care health coverage for some 70,000 individuals in Minnesota. On January 7, Lakes & Prairies Community Action Partnership collaborated with St. Joseph Parish to hold a community conversation on the ending GAMC assistance and its negative impact on low-income indivduals. Hospital representatives spoke to the increased costs that they will incur. County Social Service staff spoke of the plight of those who would be unable to pay the MN Care co-pays or to purchase needed prescriptions. The County Sheriff spoke to anticipated increases in a variety of emergency responses such as for those who are unstable without their required medications. Representatives Morrie Lanning and Paul Marquart spoke about upcoming discussions at the MN Legislature when it convenes on February 4 and how this was a priority issue to be addressed. Brian Rusche, Executive Director of the Joint Religious Legislative Coalition in St. Paul, spoke to many of these same concerns as well as the need for fairness, equity and justice in how we help those who are most in need. For many, this is truly a life and death situation. Rusche reminded those attending that there were plans to go to the State Capital on February 4th, day one of this legislative session and for the statewide "Justice We Pursue -- Day on the Hill" gathering on Thursday, March 25, 2010. For information on these two dates go to http://www.jrlc.org/.

A MINNESOTA WITHOUT POVERTY

Business, Government and Faith leaders to gather on January 21, 2009 to Affirm Recommendations to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 218 10th St. S., Moorhead, MN 56560 from 3:00 PM—4:00 PM


Fargo-Moorhead – A Minnesota Without Poverty, the statewide movement that is galvanizing support from business, government and the faith communities in Minnesota, announced plans for a Jan. 21, 2009, public affirmation of recommendations made by the Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020. A gathering at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Moorhead, MN will be held simultaneously with the St. Paul ceremony. The public is invited to attend and participate.


The Legislative Commission to End Poverty in Minnesota by 2020 has compiled a comprehensive list of recommendations that erase or reduce the barriers that force people to live in poverty. The recommendations identify problems and solutions in key areas: Education, Health Care, Transportation, Employment and Welfare. The recommendations, if implemented, would have the potential to lead to a poverty-free Minnesota by 2020.

State Deficit and God’s Abundance—JRLC’s Faith Forecast for 2009 Legislative Session

This message is about the state's budget deficit, but here's where we start: God's creation is good. We live amidst abundance in this beautiful part of the globe with neighbors and friends who are generous and kind. We share God's vision for us -- there will be no poverty; the economy will ensure basic income and opportunity for all. When we are sick or disabled, we will receive the care we need. We will stand together in adversity. We will make sure people have housing and heat this winter. We will be productive, creative, compassionate, and forgiving in the way we respond to God's gift of life....


Ending poverty is possible when we show up, stand up, sign up, and speak up.

A Minnesota Without Poverty is a statewide, interfaith movement to end poverty in Minnesota by 2020.


Stand Up for people experiencing poverty.

Sign Up. Add your name and support to a movement that will put an end to poverty in Minnesota.

Speak Up. Tell the story in your place of worship and in your community.