Susan Congrave, director of the Koochiching County Health Department, said she is happy to announce that the Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board received word last week that the NE MN SHIP application (including Koochiching, Itasca and Aitkin counties) was approved by the Minnesota Department of Health in the amounts of $1.085 million for the period of July 2009 to June 2010; and $1.378 million for the period July 2010 to June 2011.

The SHIP grant funds will be used to address obesity (nutrition, physical activity, breast feeding), tobacco, and work site wellness in all seven counties of northeast Minnesota.

Currently, two community health boards and county public health staff are in discussion with the MDH regarding placing some initial planning structures; signing contracts and developing subcontracts; and transitioning staff into grant activities and other details.