If your property was affected by the wildfires in May, find resources and information on relevant county services here: 2025 Spring Wildfires

Child & Adolescent Health

 
 

Providing opportunities for healthy development early in life sets children and teens up for long-term health and wellbeing. We work with families and community organizations to support, strengthen, and expand relationships that promote health and nutrition outcomes in children.

We can assist with accessing healthy food, finding medical and dental providers, interpreter services, transportation to and from appointments, and more.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

Having access to healthy foods is an important part of growing up healthy. The WIC program was designed to make healthy foods more available for pregnant people, breastfeeding/chestfeeding and postpartum parents, infants, and children.  

For more information, contact your local WIC office in Duluth at 218-725-5211 or Virginia, Hibbing, and Ely at 218-471-7604.
Leave a message for a return callback. 

Find out if you’re eligible from the Minnesota Department of Health’s WIC page.

Welcome to WIC! - MN Dept. of Health
MN WIC Application 
USDA Nondiscrimination Statement 

 

 

Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) Program

Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC) is Minnesota’s comprehensive child health program for newborns up to age 21 who are eligible for Medicaid. C&TC benefits include a complete physical exam, immunizations, hearing and vision checks, lab tests, growth measurements, developmental screening, dental varnishing application, and anticipatory guidance about physical and mental health needs. Visit the Child & Teen Checkup website for more information or visit St. Louis County’s Child and Teen Checkups YouTube Channel.  

Participating C&TC providers in St. Louis County:  

Medical Care

Dental Care

 

Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Support

All families deserve support on their feeding journey. Our staff and community partners provide education, encouragement, and connections for pregnant and breastfeeding/chestfeeding individuals. Breastfeeding is the best, most nurturing way of feeding your baby – something special you can do for your child. Support is available through the WIC program and local resources for those who are not WIC-eligible.

 

General Lactation Information:

About Breastfeeding - MN Dept. of Health- General information about lactation from MDH

Making the decision to breastfeed- Benefits of providing human milk, US Dept of Health and Human Services

Preparing to breastfeed- Getting Ready to Breastfeed, US Dept of Health and Human Services

Getting Back to Work and Breast/Chestfeeding:

Information about parental leave, returning to work, expressing milk, childcare and more. Back to Work | BreastmilkCounts.com

Minnesota State laws that protect people Sec. 181.939 MN Statutes

Forgot your pump? Guide to hand expression: Hand-Expression-Handout-IYCF-E and an excellent video How to Express Breastmilk - Video - Global Health Media Project

Proper Storage and Handling of Human Milk Breast Milk Storage and Preparation | Breastfeeding | CDC

 

WIC Services

Our WIC staff includes specially trained Certified Lactation Educators and Consultants who provide education and support to pregnant and breastfeeding/chestfeeding individuals. Families can also connect with a Peer Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding Counselor- a WIC parent who lives in the community and has personal experience with lactation- for support by phone, text, or in-office visits.

WIC Services include:
- One-on-one support from Certified Lactation Consultants
- Peer support from parents with personal lactation experience
- Tips for navigating common feeding challenges
- Help creating a feeding plan that works for your family

Resources:
- Call your local WIC office to learn more or schedule a visit.
- WIC welcomes Peer Program Feedback: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/localagency/peer/index.html
- Learn about supporting breastfeeding/chestfeeding in the workplace: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/wic/localagency/bffriendly/index.html

 

Community Resources (Non-WIC)

St Louis County Public Health Nurses including Certified lactation educators and consultants- Evidence Based Home Visiting Programs - https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/public-health-human-services/public-health/family-home-visiting

Essentia Health - Northland Breastfeeding Resources
Certified lactation consultants available 7 days/week. Services include baby weight checks, latch help, pump rental, and phone consults.
Link: https://www.essentiahealth.org/services/obstetrics/breastfeeding-support/northland-breastfeeding-resources

Essentia Health - The Lactation Club (TLC)
A free, parent-to-parent support group with lactation staff present. Meets at the Essentia Lakewalk Clinic, 1502 London Rd, Duluth.
Link: https://www.essentiahealth.org/services/obstetrics/breastfeeding-support

St. Luke’s Hospital - Birthing Center Support
After Care Clinic provides latch help, weight checks, and phone consults. Monthly breastfeeding support group available. Location: 915 E. 1st St, Duluth.
Link: https://www.slhduluth.com/services/birthing-center/

Lake Lactation Lounge - Duluth
Free, parent-led monthly meetings and peer support. Local leaders available for questions and encouragement. Facilitators: Lacey Parr 218-340-5136 & Rosalyn Horn 715-864-2921.

Help Me Connect - Lactation Support Directory
Statewide directory of local breastfeeding and chestfeeding resources, including private lactation consultants and peer groups.
Link: https://helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us/HelpMeConnect/Search/PregnantandExpectantFamilies/BasicNeeds/BreastfeedingandLactationSupport?f=Area+Served+by+County%3ASt.+Louis+County

Northeast SHIP - Lactation Support Initiatives
Regional partnerships supporting Baby Cafés, breastfeeding education, and lactation-friendly workplaces.
Link: https://www.northeastship.org/initiatives/lactation-support

 

Contact: Jenna Davis, PHN, IBCLC 218-725-5266

Follow Along Program

 

The Follow Along Program in St. Louis County is a free service that supports the development of young children. It is designed to help parents and caregivers track their child’s developmental progress in various areas including communication, motor skills, and social-emotional development. It includes developmental screenings issued every couple of months, parent support, and fun activities to help promote a child’s development. If there are concerns about a child’s development, public health staff help to connect families to resources and services needed to help kids thrive.

Follow Along Program is available for children from birth to age 5.

To learn more about the Follow Along Program, please visit the Minnesota Department of Health- Follow Along Program Page: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/childrenyouth/fap/index.html

If you want more information about St. Louis County’s Follow Along Program, please call Kelly Bruels at 218-725-5212, or fill out the online application here.

Asthma

Emergency Room visits and hospitalizations related to asthma in St. Louis County are higher than the state average. People who are diagnosed with asthma are more likely to have frequent absences from work and school due to their symptoms.

St. Louis County Public Health offers home visiting for individuals aged 0-18 who have concerns about their asthma control. Indicators that a person’s asthma isn’t as well controlled as it could be are:

  • Having frequent nighttime wakening due to asthma symptoms

  • Making asthma-related Emergency Room visits

  • Using a rescue inhaler 2 or more days per week

  • Having symptoms that make it hard to exercise, play, go to school, or work

Public Health Nurses with special asthma training can come to your home to:

  • Check your home for asthma triggers

  • Teach you how to care for your child’s asthma

  • Help you get an Asthma Action Plan and/or explain how to use it

  • Help you understand what your child’s medications are for and when to use them

  • Check how your child uses an inhaler and/or nebulizer and show ways to make it work even better

  • See if you qualify for supplies to help manage asthma symptoms

  • Help you coordinate your child’s asthma care with their health care providers

To learn more about asthma, please visit the Minnesota Department of Health – Asthma Basics page: Asthma Basics - MN Dept. of Health

For more information on managing asthma, check with the Minnesota Department of Health – Managing Your Asthma site: Managing Your Asthma - MN Dept. of Health

If you want more information about the St. Louis County Asthma Home Visiting program, please call Kelly Bruels at 218-725-5212, or fill out the online referral form here.

 

Lead Exposure

Lead exposure can harm a child’s growth, learning, and behavior. Even small amounts of lead are unsafe, especially for children under age six and pregnant people. Our public health staff provide education, resources, and connections to reduce lead exposure and keep families safe.

Services include:
- Information about common lead sources in homes, water, and the environment
- Support for families if a child has an elevated blood lead level
- Guidance for safe renovation and repair in older homes
- Connections to local and state resources

Learn more about lead poisoning prevention:

-St Louis County Lead Lessons-  www.lead-lessons.com
- Minnesota Department of Health – Lead Program: https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/environment/lead/index.html
- CDC – Lead Poisoning Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead/default.htm

Contact: Jenna Davis, PHN, IBCLC 218-725-5266

Children & Youth with Special Health Needs (CYSHN)

Birth Defects Monitoring System (BDIS)

The Minnesota Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis Program (also called the Birth Defects Information System, or BDIS) collects and tracks data on selected birth defects diagnosed within a child’s first year of life. Each year, the program gathers information from hospital and clinic records to monitor trends, support research, and help families affected by birth defects.

Program Features & Conditions Monitored:

- BDIS actively reviews over 60 different congenital conditions from hospital and clinic charts.
- Includes 45 birth defects in Minnesota diagnosed in infants under 1 year.
- Covers a wide range of systems (e.g., heart, neural tube, limbs, cleft lip/palate).
- Authorized by Minnesota statute (MS 144.2215).
- Uses active surveillance from hospitals, NICUs, and clinics.
- Data linked with birth certificate records for demographics.
- Diagnoses captured up to one year after birth.
- Program began in 2005 with coverage in certain counties.

Services / Uses for Families & Public Health:

- Connection to early intervention services and resources for families and providers. --------- - Connection with a St Louis County Public Health Nurse

- Offers fact sheets for over 40 birth defects with descriptions and resources.
- Sends informational letters to families with identified cases.
- Families can contact the MCYSHN Information & Assistance Line for support.

Learn More & Links:

• MDH Birth Defects Monitoring and Analysis / BDIS: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/childrenyouth/birthdefects/index.html
• MDH Birth Defects Information System (BDIS): https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/childrenyouth/birthdefects/bdis.html
• Minnesota statute authorizing BDIS (MS 144.2215): https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/?id=144.2215

 

Heritable Conditions

Heritable conditions are genetic disorders or conditions that can be passed from parents to children. The Minnesota Department of Health and St Louis County Public Health provides information, resources, and support for families navigating these conditions.

Services include:

- Connection with a St Louis County Public Health Nurse

- Connection to early intervention services and resources for families and providers

 

Congenital Cytomegalovirus (cCMV)

Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) is the most common infectious cause of birth defects in the United States. Minnesota promotes awareness, testing, and support for families impacted by cCMV. Educational materials and family resources are available through the Minnesota Department of Health and St Louis County Public Health.

Services include:

- Connection with a St Louis County Public Health Nurse

- Connection to early intervention services and resources for families and providers

 

Early Hearing Detection & Intervention (EHDI)

Description Text:
The EHDI program works to make sure babies who are deaf or hard of hearing are identified early, so families can get services and support as soon as possible. Early detection and follow‑up are critical to language, social, and cognitive development.

Services include:

- Connection with a St Louis County Public Health Nurse
- Connection to early intervention services and resources for families and providers

Learn more about EHDI in Minnesota:
- MN Dept. of Health – Early Hearing Detection & Intervention: https://www.health.state.mn.us/people/childrenyouth/improveehdi/index.html
- MN Low Incidence Projects – EHDI Resources: https://www.mnlowincidenceprojects.org/Projects/ehdi/ehdiResources.html

 

Contact: Jenna Davis, PHN, IBCLC 218-725-5266

Contact

Public Health Main Offices

Southern St. Louis County
218-725-5210

Northern St. Louis County
 218-471-7600

WIC Program

Northern St. Louis County:
218-471-7604

Southern St. Louis County:
218-725-5211

C&TC Program

Sarah Lehrke
218-725-5275
Email

Asthma Program

Kelly Bruels  
218-725-5212 
Email

 

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