If Margene Gunderson had her way, more would be done in Mower County to help reduce the incidence of pregnancies among teen-agers.

Monday, May 14, 2001

If Margene Gunderson had her way, more would be done in Mower County to help reduce the incidence of pregnancies among teen-agers.

That’s what the community health services director told the Mower County Board of Commissioners last week.

Gunderson made her annual report of community health services programs and examined both successes and failures.

She told the commissioners more could be done, but the county is strapped with a $40,000 budget for pregnancy prevention efforts among teen-agers and it’s all funded by grant monies.

Since the county’s teen health clinic started with 100 teen-agers being serviced with pregnancy prevention, the number has swollen to 250 teens last year.

"We are unable to serve all of the individuals in need," she said.

How much of a subsidy does the county’s family planning effort require? According to Gunderson, $100,000 would help.

In addition to family planning, the county’s teen health clinic also offers information on sexually transmitted diseases.

Len Miller, Fourth District, was sympathetic.

"We’re dealing now with situations that could cost us more in the future," Miller said of the intervention and prevention efforts taken by community health services.

In other action last Tuesday, the county commissioners heard the community health services director seek endorsements of long-standing agreements for health services.

Gunderson received the commissioners’ authorization to renew the county’s agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health for the Women, Infants and Children’s program. The nutrition program assists families with children up to 5 years of age.

Also, the commissioners authorized Gunderson to renew the county’s agreement with Austin Medical Center for therapy services through its home health program.

The commissioners also agreed to endorse a grant application by Candace Raskin on behalf of the Austin Independent School District.

According to Gunderson, Raskin wants to seek funding for an after-school program for at-risk elementary-age children.

Under the terms of the proposal, other school districts in Mower County would be allowed to send children to the program if it is funded and implemented.

The county commissioners’ involvement is merely to endorse the proposal and does not involve financial assistance.

Gunderson also reviewed the community health services annual program summary in addition to the family planning and STD information she shared with the commissioners.

With help from Lisa Koser, Gunderson detailed how individual program goals are being addressed and also discussed health indicators in the county.

Last year, the number of children participating in the county’s healthy child growth and development through improved birth outcomes saw 250 prenatal cases.

Richard P. Cummings, First District county commissioner, wanted to know whether the county was making its community health services available to non-English speaking families.

Gunderson said the county attempts to do that, but is having difficulties. Even local physicians have asked the community health services to conduct classes specifically for ethnic minorities, according to Gunderson.

She also said one of the obstacles being faced is the reluctance of many families to allow females to receive such training and prefer instead they "follow the lead of their male partners."

Cummings said the community health services should go to major employers of ethnic minorities and ask for their support.

"It’s obviously going to be a benefit to those employers if their workers are absent less often for these kind of health issues," Cummings said.

"I’m not concerned whether or not we can build such a program for ethnic minorities. My concern is will they come," Gunderson said.

Garry Ellingson, the county board’s newest commissioner representing the Fifth District, had praise for Gunderson.

"You’re making these programs available for as many people as possible, but you can’t force them to use them. That’s up to them," he said.

Miller said: "It’s not just a local problem, getting these people to take advantage of these programs. It’s happening everywhere because of cultural differences."

Call Lee Bonorden at 434-2232 or e-mail him at lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com.