Essentia Health partners with local groups to identify community health needs and drive improvements in Detroit Lakes

Essentia Health's mission is to make a healthy difference in people's lives, and that work extends beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics.

Just like patients, each community has unique needs. To determine priorities, Essentia conducts a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every three years in each community that is home to one of its 14 hospitals. Town hall meetings, focus groups and surveys are among the ways Essentia collects information on what is important to people and what gaps we can help to address.

Detroit Lakes is one of the 14 communities surveyed by Essentia.

Our most recent CHNA identified the following needs for the Essentia Health St. Mary’s-Detroit Lakes service area:

• Social drivers of health: Essentia plans to operate a Community Health Worker Program, administer a community resource directory called “Resourceful” and support organizations through a Community Grants program.
• Nutrition and physical activity: Essentia plans to promote healthy eating and active living through community-based initiatives including expanding access to nutrition education, providing opportunities for physical activity and creating partnerships with local organizations to increase resources and support for healthy lifestyle choices.
• Childcare: Essentia plans to expand childcare access for families by building partnerships with community stakeholders and supporting initiatives that increase the availability of infant and early childhood care options.

'Essentia's community health Investment in the Early Care & Development Foundation (ECDF) is making a meaningful impact in Becker County," said Kelsey Varty, ECDF chair. "Thanks to generous donors like Essentia, the foundation has awarded funding to nearly 40 home- and center-based childcare providers who collectively care for more than 415 children across five Becker County communities. At ECDF, we believe that supporting childcare is a direct investment in economic stability and community growth. Access to reliable, high-quality care enables parents to fully participate in the workforce, reducing absenteeism and turnover for local businesses."

The key to gathering accurate data is to get input from a wide range of community members, particularly those who are medically underserved and those in minority groups. The information helps health systems decide how to make the greatest impact and which areas to focus on.

For example, after our last CHNA in 2022, we focused on the following priority areas for this service area:

• Youth mental well-being: Essentia supported youth mental health in the area through its partnership with the CornerStone Community and Youth Center, offering a safe, supportive space for after-school activities and community engagement. It also backed the Positive Community Norms grant, helping students promote mental well-being and strengthen community connections. Essentia remains actively involved in strategic planning and program support to enhance long-term impact on youth mental health.
• Substance use: Essentia worked to prevent substance use by engaging in community coalitions, implementing youth programs and supporting the Positive Community Norms grant in the Frazee-Vergas school district. It also collaborated with the Becker County Opioid Council and participated in the Rural Response to the Opioid Epidemic project, which included increasing access to Naloxone and training the community on its use. Additionally, Essentia raised awareness about safe medication disposal and educated local students and teachers on overdose prevention and substance use dangers.
• Access to childcare: Essentia addressed childcare shortages by partnering with local organizations to support and expand childcare services. It provided financial support for CPR/First Aid training for local childcare providers and collaborated on plans to renovate a building into a new childcare facility. Additionally, Essentia supported the Early Care and Development Foundation of Becker County, which helped open more childcare spots and informed all licensed providers about funding opportunities to increase capacity.

"At Essentia, our commitment to the communities we serve is at the heart of everything we do," said Emily Kuenstler, Essentia’s community health director. "We believe that true health care extends far beyond the walls of our hospitals and clinics — it's about partnering with local organizations, listening to diverse voices and addressing the unique needs that impact well-being every day. By conducting regular Community Health Needs Assessments and investing in programs that promote nutrition, physical activity and access to resources, we're dedicated to making a lasting, positive difference in people's lives."