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Health Care MinneapolisMinneapolis has a number of programs to help its residents stay healthy. The Minneapolis Health Care programs we are going to focus on here is the Steps initiative of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Medica Skyway Senior Center, Twin Cities Healthy Start program, and the McGruff House Program. Steps to a Healthier Minneapolis The motto of steps is expressed in the words:” Working together to create and sustain a safe community of healthy, active residents”, the aim of the program being to reduce diabetes, obesity, and asthma by addressing physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use. To accomplish that objective focus groups made up of 6 American Indian groups, 6 African American groups, 5 Latino groups, 3 Southeast Asian groups, and 3 non-Hispanic white groups gathered to discuss what type of programming related to nutrition and physical activity was needed in the Near North, Northeast and Phillips communities. Scheduled to be funded through 2009 through city grants, steps activities can be found to occur in community centers, health care settings, schools and worksites. Medica Skyway Senior Center. This is a beautiful Minneapolis downtown skyway 2,000 square foot gathering place for seniors and friends. Targeted for Minneapolis residents 55 and over, it is For people age 55 and over the center provides safe, accessible, and friendly place to socialize, take a class, exercise, connect to community resources, use a computer, read, relax, sip coffee and chat with old friends and new friends alike. Located at 950 Nicollet Mall, Suite 290, weekdays operating hours are 9am and 3pm and to stay informed of current and upcoming events, call 612-370-3869 and ask to be added to the ‘Chatter Newsletter’ mailing list. Twin Cities Healthy Start This health care community-based project is about healthy pregnancies and healthy families and gives families the opportunity to participate with a group to help plan events, family fun activities, and suggestions to add to, and improve on, the benefits and services already offered. The services already offered by the program include: stress reduction techniques, help with domestic violence issues, nutrition and health education, referral to help with drug and alcohol problems, help with making decisions about ones future, educational opportunities, job readiness skills, and family planning referrals. McGruff House Program This program is about helping children, twelve and under, that might find themselves in an emergency situation. McGruff Houses are private homes run by volunteers that have been trained by the Minneapolis Police Department. Throughout the city, these houses are marked by yellow signs that feature the symbol of crime prevention. A child in an emergency situation will find a caring adult, and the protection of a safe haven while parents or 911 is called to respond to the present situation. The emergency situation can be anything from a locked-out child, a frightened child, to a sick or hurt child. While there are a number of other Health Care Minneapolis programs offering resources and services to its residents, we thought these four programs to be among the best of the city’s health care services. |