Healthy Quin Counties

09/16/2026

Health is more than what happens at a doctor's appointment.

Spending time with family and friends, participating in community activities, volunteering or simply checking in with a neighbor can support our overall well-being.

This week, consider reaching out to someone you haven't talked with in a while. A simple conversation can help strengthen the connections that make our communities healthier.

09/15/2026

𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐀𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬

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

The webinars will not be recorded, so plan to join the live webinars.

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

09/14/2026

🎒 Build your emergency kit one step at a time. An emergency kit doesn't have to be built all at once. Start with the basics:

💧 Water 🥫 Non-perishable food 🔦 Flashlights 🔋 Batteries 🩹 First aid supplies 💊 Necessary medications

Store your kit somewhere easy to access and update it each year.
Preparedness isn't about perfection. It's about being ready.

09/14/2026

𝐌𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐌𝐲 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐭™ 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩

Supporting youth who want to quit va**ng or other commercial to***co products just got easier with the new My Life, My Quit™ mobile app.

Designed for youth ages 13–17, this free and confidential program provides evidence-based ni****ne treatment support right from a smartphone.

The app includes customized quit plans, progress tracking, educational videos and one-on-one text support from trained quit coaches.

For parents, educators and professionals, My Life, My Quit offers an accessible resource to help young people take steps toward a commercial to***co-free life.

Teens can sign up for My Life, My Quit™ anytime by:
• Texting “Start My Quit” to 36072
• Downloading the My Life, My Quit™ app from the iOS or Android app store
• Or visiting MyLifeMyQuit.com

09/14/2026

RISE is a start-up 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, licensed by the MN Department of Human Services and located in Thief River Falls. They provide daytime support for individuals over the age of 55 and are currently accepting participants.

You can find more information on their website at riseadultdayservices.org.

09/12/2026

𝐑𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬: 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟

Public health officials are reminding people to be aware of rabies and take steps to prevent exposure. Rabies is rare in people in the United States, but potential exposures occur every year. Rabies is preventable when appropriate medical care is received before symptoms begin.

You can help prevent rabies exposure:

• Avoid touching or handling wild animals, especially bats, skunks, raccoons and foxes.
• Never approach an animal that appears sick, injured or is behaving unusually.
• Keep pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations.
• Keep pets away from wildlife.
• Teach children not to touch wild animals or unfamiliar pets such as stray cats.
• Contact animal control or another appropriate local authority if you find a sick, injured or stray animal.

Bats deserve special attention. Bat bites and scratches can be very small and may not leave an obvious mark. Any direct contact with a bat should be reported to a health care provider or public health department so the exposure can be evaluated.

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal that could have rabies, immediately wash the area thoroughly with soap and water and contact a health care provider or your local public health department. Don't wait for symptoms to appear.

Awareness and prevention can help protect you, your family and your pets.

09/11/2026

Today, we pause to remember the lives lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the courage and sacrifice of the first responders, service members and everyday people who stepped forward to help.

We also recognize the families and communities forever changed by that day.

As we remember, may we carry forward the spirit of compassion, service and unity shown in the days that followed. Take a moment today to check in on a neighbor, offer a helping hand or simply show kindness to someone in your community.

Small acts of care help strengthen the communities we all call home.

We remember.

09/11/2026

📋 Do you have a family emergency plan? If your answer is "not really," you're not alone.

A simple plan can help everyone stay connected during an emergency. Talk with your household about:

📱 How you'll communicate 📍 Where you'll meet 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who your emergency contacts are 🏫 School and workplace plans 🩺 Any special medical needs

Make sure everyone in your household understands the plan and knows where to find important information. A few minutes of planning today can make a big difference during an emergency. 🚨

09/10/2026

Every season matters — that means this season too.

You don't have to have it figured out to call.

You just have to call.

988 is confidential and available any hour, any day.

#988

09/09/2026

Need Your Immunization Records? Here's How to Access Them in Minnesota!

Use the Docket App!

Download the free Docket app to securely view and share immunization records for yourself or your child.
Search “Docket” in the Apple App Store or Google Play.