DEPARTMENT: Public Health
FILE TYPE: Consent Action
TITLE
title
Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Farmington For Wellness Initiatives Funded Through Minnesota Department of Health Statewide Health Improvement Partnership
end
RESOLUTION
body
WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a community health board under Minn. Stat. Ch. 145A, and is required to govern and administer those functions as fully as other Dakota County functions, including the responsibility to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota County residents; and
WHEREAS, the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP), which invests in preventing chronic disease, is overseen by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) and is administered by local public and tribal health partners; and
WHEREAS, Dakota County Public Health receives an annual grant allocation through MDH to coordinate and fund SHIP strategies; and
WHEREAS, human milk is an infant’s first source of healthy nutrition, which supports lifelong positive public health outcomes for both mother and child and an employer is an important support system in achieving sustained lactation goals; and
WHEREAS, adequate lactation accommodations via an employer are a federal legal requirement, but limited resources exist to support employers in accessing technical assistance and other resources to meet this mandate; and
WHEREAS, this initiative with the City of Farmington will support the development of two lactation spaces for Farmington Fire and Rescue employees and other residents that may need to utilize a lactation space; and
WHEREAS, the initiative will include technical assistance in policy, systems, and environmental change to better serve the needs of new parents; and
WHEREAS, SHIP supports community-driven solutions to achieve four main goals including increasing physical activity, improving access to healthy foods, improving mental wellbeing, and reducing the use of, and exposure to, tobacco; and
WHEREAS, SHIP specifically supports and funds community neighborhood organizations, school districts and childcare organizations, health care settings, and other government worksites in wellness policy, systems, and environmental change initiatives; and
WHEREAS, for the past several years, grants have been awarded through a contract process with grantees and this year Dakota County will enter into a JPA for wellness initiatives via the SHIP grant with City of Farmington for Farmington Fire & Rescue Worksite Wellness Lactation Support.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute a joint powers agreement with the City of Farmington for worksite wellness lactation support, for the term upon execution of the joint powers agreement through October 31, 2025, with a total agreement amount not to exceed $4,000, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.
end