Public Health

Public Health Nurses, Peer Breastfeeding Counselors, and a WIC Lactation Consultant are available to answer any questions or concerns about breast/chestfeeding.

If you are a WIC participant, contact 952-563-8993.

If you are not a WIC participant, contact 952-563-8900 or email publichealth@BloomingtonMN.gov. 

View breastfeeding and chestfeeding information for individuals and employers.

Follow Along Program

The Follow Along Program supports parents by assessing their young child's growth and development up to three years of age. The program is secure, safe and confidential.

Get started by completing the Follow Along enrollment form, or download the form (English or Spanish), complete it and mail to Public Health. 

Parents receive a development questionnaire called an ASQ (Ages and Stages Questionnaire) in the mail every four months. Once filled out, the parent returns it to Public Health (postage included). 

The results of the questionnaire are mailed back to the parent with suggested fun activities to promote growth and development for the child's specific age range. A Public Health nurse will call the parent if there are concerns. If needed, a Public Health nurse would discuss choices for further evaluation or tips on how to promote baby's physical and emotional development.

Other childhood development resources

• Help Me Grow: Do you have concerns about your child's development, such as walking, talking, playing or behavior? For more information, visit HelpMeGrowMN.org.
• Early Childhood Screening: An early childhood screening is available at your local school district and recommended at age three, but can also be done at ages four and five. This screening is a good indicator to see if your three-year-old will be ready for kindergarten.

Health screenings

Blood pressure
Free blood pressure screenings are available at the following locations (call for specific dates and times):

• Bloomington Public Health Center
  952-563-8900
• Creekside Community Center
  952-563-4944

Home assessments for asthma triggers
Call 952-563-8900 for more information. 

Tuberculin skin tests
Tests available on Tuesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Cost is $40. Please call 952-563-8900 to schedule an appointment with an intake nurse. 

Women's Health
Call 1-888-6HEALTH for more information.

Immunizations and flu shots

Public Health offers immunizations to individuals who are uninsured or underinsured through the Minnesota Vaccines for Children (MNVFC) program and the Uninsured and Underinsured Adult Vaccines (UUAV) program. 

Immunizations are available the first and third Tuesday of the month from 12:30 - 4 p.m. by appointment. Please call 952-563-8900 to schedule with an intake nurse. There is a $20 donation requested per vaccination, however, no one will be turned away for lack of funds.

For the recommended vaccination schedules, visit the Minnesota Department of Health. 

Each fall, visit blm.mn/clinics for a list of community flu shot clinics hosted by Bloomington Public Health. 

Visit cdc.gov/flu for information about flu prevention, symptoms and treatment. 

Like many other communities, Bloomington, Edina, and Richfield face growing mental health concerns: 

• In 2022, more than 30% of adults said that they sometimes, usually, or always feel lonely or isolated, yet less than half of respondents received prompt, if any, treatment.[1]
• Twenty percent of 9th and 11th graders reported missing school because of feeling sad, hopeless, anxious, stressed or angry. More than 35% reported that they would not feel comfortable speaking to a counselor or social worker.[2]  

Given findings like these, Bloomington Public Health (BPH) has prioritized mental health as a focus for its 2024-2028 Strategic Plan and Community Health Assessment. 

We do this work on three levels: 

Individual Level

• Early childhood development screenings
• Family home visits that include mental health screenings
• Health concern assessments for older adults
• Connections to community resources

Community Level

• Trainings in Psychological First Aid
• Public awareness campaigns such as Start with Hi! 
• Mental health “pop-up” events
• Funding for organizations that offer mental health and well-being services

Policy Level

• Seek community input
• Analyze and use data to prioritize work
• Use a Health in All Policies approach

How data informs our approach
BPH is conducting a Community Health Assessment (CHA) in 2024. Minnesota's community health boards are required by statute to complete a CHA at least every five years. The focus of the CHA is mental health, which is driven by data indicating a decline in mental well-being.

Learn more: 

Fact sheet: Insights on Mental Health and Well-being: Key Findings from Community Health Assessment

Fact sheet: Supporting Mental Health and Well-being: Bloomington Public Health Division’s Efforts

A Public Health Nurse is available to provide:

• Education and support for expectant mothers, new parents and families
• Assistance with health care questions, food concerns, counseling, child growth and development, parenting skills, asthma education and safe living conditions
• Connections to local resources

An early childhood screening is available at your local school district and recommended at age three, but can also be done at ages four and five. This screening is a good indicator to see if your three-year-old will be ready for kindergarten. 

Submit a Public Health Nursing Referral.

Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home-visiting (MECSH) program 

Public Health Nurses promote healthy pregnancy and childhood development with families through discussion, learning opportunities, activities, developmental screening and referrals to community resources as needed. A needs assessment is completed during pregnancy or the first two months after a newborn's discharge from the hospital. Families may be enrolled until the child turns two years old.

Infant Health Initiative

The Infant Health Initiative provides resources and support to pregnant individuals and families with newborns, focusing on reducing infant mortality and preventing preterm births while promoting healthy family environments.

A Public Health Nurse may provide:

• Assessment of health concerns
• Connections to local resources
• Support to community organizations to learn more about supporting aging residents

Stay up-to-date with these older adult health tips.

Public Health Nurses provide health counseling, education and resource information to individuals and groups.

The Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Nutrition Program provides nutrition education, breast/chestfeeding counseling and support, and food benefits for eligible people who are pregnant, have recently been pregnant, or have children up to five years of age.

To schedule an appointment, contact 952-563-8993.

More information on WIC and how to apply.