After closing the Lonsdale clinic and shedding a number of services in 2023, the hope at Northfield Hospital + Clinics had been there would be no more downsizing or re-focusing the organization’s vision in 2024. However, circumstances have forced NH+C to make the decision to end its Home Care service
A statement issued by NH+C said this decision affects fewer than 100 patients who are being notified directly.
The decision by the Hospital Board and the administration comes as hospitals across the state, including NH+C, deal with significant economic challenges. For smaller-scale home care services, such as the one operated by the hospital, it’s difficult to balance expenses, especially staffing and transportation, with revenue.
This decision follows an overall review of services at NH+C to ensure the organization can serve the community for generations to come. According to the statement, the board members and administrators consider several criteria as they analyze service lines, including finances, the organizational mission, and its commitment to serving the local communities. They also consider whether a service is available from other providers in the region.
NH+C is city-owned, but it is not city-funded. All NH+C funds are internally generated by the services they provide. No city funds have ever been used to run Home Care or other NH+C services.
Patients, the statement said, are free to transfer their business to any home care agency they would like, and NH+C will make that transition as seamless as possible. However, the statement also said Farmington based River Valley Home Care, a group looking to expand into the Northfield area, is the organization with whom NH+C is working most closely.
The statement said the decision will not impact other operations of Northfield Hospital nor will it affect NH+C’s medical services, or their Meals on Wheels program in Northfield.
The Home Care service will officially end on September 9th.
AmeriCorps Promise Fellows and Math Tutors sought
Healthy Community Initiative is looking to fill several AmeriCorps Math Corps Tutor and Promise Fellow positions in the Rice County Area for the 2024-2025 school year.
Several Math Corps openings are available in Rice County elementary schools. These are flexible positions for adults of all ages who are seeking to work between 10 and 35 hours per week. A statement issued by HCI said one need not be a mathematician but should simply have an ability to tutor students on basic elementary math skills. New hires will receive training and support.
Benefits include a stipend every two weeks (up to $1000) and an educational award (up to $5,176) that can be transferred to a family member should the tutor be age 55 or older. Health insurance and childcare assistance are available for full-time members.
AmeriCorps Promise Fellows work with middle school and high school students, in keeping them engaged and connected. The statement said this is a 35 hour-per-week position can be an excellent opportunity for a year of service or for someone figuring out what they want to do next while building a resume.
Service benefits include an educational award of $5,176 upon completion of service. This money can be applied to existing loans or future tuition, room and board. During service, Promise Fellows earn a stipend of $1,067 every two weeks. They are also eligible for health insurance, childcare assistance, and student loan forbearance.
AmeriCorps is a Federal Government Agency that offers stipended volunteer opportunities providing valuable work experience in a variety of service-oriented positions for anyone considering their own professional future. Candidates for either the Math Corps or Promise Fellow positions must be 18 years or older, be a US citizen, and have a high school diploma or GED. For more information, visit healthycommunityinitiative.org/americorps or email americorps@healthyinitiative.org.
Council will discuss Spring Creek Road reconstruction, Trunk Highway 246 ownership
The Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall.
Among the items on the agenda this evening will be a presentation of a resolution supporting approval of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts for local arts projects. The Council will discuss and vote on ordering a feasibility study for the 2026 Spring Creek Road and Mill Towns Trail reconstruction and improvements project, they will consider the approval of a resolution requesting MnDot turnback a stretch of Trunk Highway 246 that runs from County Road 1 to Highway 3 to the City of Northfield, and they will consider a recommendation made by both the Northfield Planning Commission and the Economic Development Authority for an interim ordinance that would temporarily restrict development in the Northwest Area.
As always, the city and the council are asking to hear opinions and comments from the public. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited to talk with the council on any topic they see fit at the 6pm listening session prior to the meeting. Participants in the listening session are asked to please not comment on a topic on the agenda, and instead are asked to stay and make a public comment when that agenda item is discussed during the regular meeting. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00.
KYMN Daily News 7/9/24
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
