Outreach and Education Grant- Otter Tail County Public Health
Otter Tail County, in partnership with Becker, Clay, and Wilkin Counties, promoted and supported ongoing prescription drug take-back programs and hazardous waste collections to protect drinking water sources in their communities. They developed and distributed informational and educational materials to key audiences and participated in community events and education sessions to encourage safe disposal of emerging contaminants.
This local public health agency in Otter Tail County, MN, works in partnership with Beck, Clay and Wilkin counties to implement evidence-based public health programming. Their “Partnership 4 Health” provides education and outreach related to drinking water, contaminants of emerging concern, and public health.These counties used MDH grant money to promote and support ongoing prescription drug take-back programs and hazardous waste collections in order to protect drinking water sources in their communities. They developed and distributed educational materials to key community audiences and participated in community events to encourage safe disposal of emerging contaminants. This project reached over 90 community partners throughout urban and rural central Minnesota.
$1,020,000 the first year and $1,020,000 the second year are for addressing public health concerns related to contaminants found in Minnesota drinking water for which no health-based drinking water standard exists.
Through outreach efforts, 20 partner worksite locations will participate in an assessment of potential sources of contamination and receive guidance on appropriate disposal options. Public education will be provided on the health effects of contaminants, the sources of contaminants, how people are exposed to contaminants, and how personal actions relate to exposure to over 15,000 persons in the 4 counties through community events (at least 1 in each county). Education will also be provided to public health and human services staff for ongoing education with their clients.
The project reached over 49 community partners and 46 media partners throughout urban and rural central Minnesota.