Benton County Public Health

Benton County Public Health Benton County Public Health services and events. What is Public Health? Public health shifts the focus to the community- from “me” to “all of us”.

Public Health is the art, practice and science of protecting and improving the health of the community. Public health is about what makes us healthy, what makes us sick, and what we can do together about it. When we think about health, what often comes to mind is the individual ways he or she can stay healthy. Overall, public health is concerned with protecting the health of entire populations. Th

ese populations can be as small as a local neighborhood, or as big as an entire county or region of the world. Public health professionals try to prevent problems from happening or recurring through implementing educational programs, recommending policies, administering services and conducting research – in contrast to clinical professionals like doctors and nurses, who focus primarily on treating individuals after they become sick or injured. Public health also works to limit health disparities. A large part of public health is promoting healthcare equity, quality and accessibility. Benton County Public Health has three public health nurses, four health educators, two WIC (women, infants and children) staff, one public health case aide, and one support staff. We promote, protect and improve the health of the Benton County community through advocacy, education and collaboration. Benton County Public Health offers a variety of services and programs including:
• WIC
• Pregnancy Information/Home Visits
• Postpartum Information/New Mom & Baby Home Visits
• Family Home Visiting
• Early Intervention for Young Children
• Immunization Clinics
• Follow Along Program (FAP)
• C&TC (Child & Teen Checkups)
• Lead Screening
• Child Passenger Safety (CPS)
• Senior Services
• SHIP (Statewide Health Improvement Program)
• Community Education on Various Health and Safety Issues (eg. breastfeeding, healthy eating, physical activity, mental health and
wellbeing, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), substance use
prevention, etc.) For more information about the services we offer please visit the Benton County Public Health webpage at: https://www.co.benton.mn.us/323/Public-Health or call 320-968-5087.

Free healthcare visits at the Salem Community Outpost in St. Cloud! No appointment needed, walk-in only!
08/31/2026

Free healthcare visits at the Salem Community Outpost in St. Cloud! No appointment needed, walk-in only!

Schedule a Check-Up 🗓️Back-to-school season is a great time to make sure your child is up to date on check-ups, vaccines...
08/30/2026

Schedule a Check-Up 🗓️
Back-to-school season is a great time to make sure your child is up to date on check-ups, vaccines, and other preventive care.

Need help finding a provider? The Child and Teen Checkups program can help connect families with health care and other services. Learn more and find resources here: https://www.bentoncountymn.gov/325/Child-Teen-Checkups-CTC

📢 We want to hear from you!Benton County Public Health has two community surveys open right now, and we’d love your inpu...
08/29/2026

📢 We want to hear from you!
Benton County Public Health has two community surveys open right now, and we’d love your input!

📝 Substance Use Prevention Survey
Help us better understand community needs and guide substance use prevention efforts in Benton County.
👉 Take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GDDYHNW

🏠 Family Resource Center Survey
We’re exploring the possibility of a Family Resource Center in Benton County. Share your thoughts on community needs, service gaps, and what types of resources and supports would be helpful for children and families.
👉 Take the survey: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/rMdTp8PSqy

Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or community member, your feedback can help shape future programs and services in Benton County.

A heartfelt thank you to Big Lake Spud Fest for generously sponsoring the Benton and Sherburne Child Care Appreciation E...
08/29/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Big Lake Spud Fest for generously sponsoring the Benton and Sherburne Child Care Appreciation Event!

Your support will help us celebrate the incredible child care professionals who make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families every day. We are so grateful for your partnership and commitment to our communities.

Thank you for helping us recognize and honor those who nurture, teach, and inspire the next generation. The upcoming Benton and Sherburne Child Care Appreciation Event wouldn’t be possible without you!

Looking for infant feeding support in Central MN? Our community offers several drop in groups where families can connect...
08/28/2026

Looking for infant feeding support in Central MN?
Our community offers several drop in groups where families can connect, ask questions, and get guidance from trusted local providers.
And if you ever want more personalized help, First Steps Central MN home visiting nurses are here for one on one support—right at home, at your pace.
You’re not alone on this journey. We’re here to help every step of the way.

Join us for our Fun with First Step events in September. Each gather is centered around fun, connection, and creativity!...
08/27/2026

Join us for our Fun with First Step events in September. Each gather is centered around fun, connection, and creativity! Caregivers and little ones are invited to enjoy free morning activities and crafts at local parks and community spaces.
• Sept 2 – Elk River
• Sept 18 – St. Cloud
• Sept 24 – Sauk Rapids
All events are free and open to all. We’d love to see you there!

Did you know making breastmilk uses about 400-500 calories per day, depending on the amount of milk produced, according ...
08/26/2026

Did you know making breastmilk uses about 400-500 calories per day, depending on the amount of milk produced, according to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics? That is approximately equivalent to running/jogging for 45-60 minutes or walking 5-7 miles. It is important to eat healthy foods and stay hydrated when breastfeeding to help with these increased needs. Benton County WIC can help! https://www.bentoncountymn.gov/358/Women-Infants-Children-WIC

A heartfelt thank you to Coborn's for generously sponsoring the Benton and Sherburne Child Care Appreciation Event! Your...
08/25/2026

A heartfelt thank you to Coborn's for generously sponsoring the Benton and Sherburne Child Care Appreciation Event!

Your support will help us celebrate the incredible child care professionals who make a lasting difference in the lives of children and families every day. We are so grateful for your partnership and commitment to our communities.

Thank you for helping us recognize and honor those who nurture, teach, and inspire the next generation. The upcoming Benton and Sherburne Child Care Appreciation Event wouldn’t be possible without you!

Thank you Main Street Family Services Family Resource Center Coordinator Shari, First Steps Nurse Mallory, and local fam...
08/24/2026

Thank you Main Street Family Services Family Resource Center Coordinator Shari, First Steps Nurse Mallory, and local family (Allison & daughters Natalie & Lydia)!

Shari & Mallory presented to the First Steps Joint Powers Board earlier this month to share their knowledge about Family Resource Centers, passion behind creating events like Fun with First Steps, and why collaboration is essential.

Allison then shared her experience being a part of the FRC Parent Advisory Board, First Steps home visiting program, and attending Fun with First Steps events regularly, “Being connected to home visiting and Mainstreet FRC has allowed me to not only survive, but THRIVE, as a parent.”

Watch our page for September Fun with First Steps information! We hope to see you there!

Healthy Aging Month Webinar Series in September!September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to celebrate the positive aspec...
08/24/2026

Healthy Aging Month Webinar Series in September!

September is Healthy Aging Month, a time to celebrate the positive aspects of aging and explore ways to enhance the wellbeing of older individuals. Healthy aging encompasses maintaining and improving physical, mental, spiritual, financial, and social health.

The University of Minnesota Extension Department of Family, Health and Wellbeing invites everyone who is aging and those who support older adults to visit z.umn.edu/HAM2026 to access resources and register for over 30 free webinars covering topics such as:
• Financial Health, Estate Planning, & Fraud Protection
• Mental Wellbeing & Brain Health
• Nutrition & Food Safety
• Physical Safety & Independent Living
• Relationships & Community Building

Extension workshops and resources celebrate the positive aspects of aging and explore ways to enhance the wellbeing of older individuals.

Address

531 Dewey Street
Foley, MN
56329

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13209685087

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