Wadena County Commissioners: Could existing staff be better utilized?
by Trinity Gruenberg
The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on February 6.
Community Health Specialist
Erica Keppers, Wadena County Public Health, would like to hire a new Community Health Specialist.
The Morrison, Todd, Wadena Community Health Board (CHB) will receive two new consistent funding sources due to new funds allocated by the legislature. The funding for Wadena County will be $127,972 annually to fulfill these new duties. Examples for the positions would be step one at $85,407 annually or step three at $92,151 annually.
Keppers had departments conduct an assessment and it was sent to MDH so they know what they do, don’t do and what they need to have. The funds give them leeway and they have to report to the state on what they are using the dollars for. They don’t have many items for seniors and would like to expand that. They used to be able to ensure access to vaccines—they go to those that are homebound. Kangas added organizations like the Council on Aging provides for seniors, and there are several places people can go for vaccinations and felt like it was redundant....