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 every other Tuesday 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. 

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.

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.