Carver County Public Health offers many programs and services that help protect and improve the health of everyone who lives in Carver County. These services support people of all ages, from infants to older adults, and those in both suburban and rural areas. Programs include family health support, immunizations, and connections to low-cost medical care. We also work to improve access to healthy foods and physical activity, reduce commercial tobacco exposure, and prepare the community for public health emergencies.

Our Mission:  To promote and protect the health of all people in Carver County.

What does the practice of public health in Carver County look like?

Minnesota’s public health system is a strong state-local partnership that began with the Community Health Services Act (Minnesota Statute 145A) in 1976, later revised in 1987 and 2003. Now called the Local Public Health Act, this law outlines how the Minnesota Department of Health and city and county governments work together to plan, develop, fund, and deliver public health services.

Under this structure, the state provides guidance, funding, technical support, and accreditation, while local Community Health Boards carry out public health programs directly in their communities. In Carver County, the Board of Commissioners serves as the county’s community health board. Community health boards have statutory responsibility under the Local Public Health Act and must address and implement the essential local public health activities. 

Please visit Minnesota’s Public Health System: History and Context to learn more.