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Counties Matter
National County Government Month
Linn County joins the National Association of Counties (NACo) to celebrate National County Government Month, held each April. County governments provide essential services to create healthy, vibrant, and safe communities. Counties build infrastructure, maintain roads and bridges, provide public health and social services, assist veterans, administer justice, keep communities safe, run elections, keep vital records, build and maintain parks and recreational areas, and so much more.
This year's theme "Counties THRIVE" demonstrates how counties help to improve people’s lives every day. This month, we highlight some of the many programs and initiatives Linn County provides to help Linn County residents thrive:
- Make it OK: Linn County is a Make it OK workplace and is a proud partner in the Make it OK campaign to reduce the stigma of mental illness.
- Mental Health Access Center: Helps individuals 18 years of age and older who are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis. No appointment is necessary.
- COVID-19 Information: Provides up-to-date information about COVID-19, testing, and vaccinations as well as other resources.
- Health Equity: Working to remove obstacles to health such as systemic racism, discrimination, poverty, and their consequences, ensuring equitable access to resources, and addressing disparate health outcomes. Linn County recently hired its first Health Equity Program Manager.
- Clinical Health Services: Provides a wide variety of services including immunizations; tuberculosis, hepatitis, and STI testing; and initial health exams to new refugees arriving in Linn County.
- Community Resources: Collaborates with more than 30 community organizations to annually review and update community resource sheets to help residents find resources for housing, food, transportation, and other basic needs.
- Children’s Mental Health Assistance: Funds mental health services for youth experiencing severe emotion disturbances when there are no other means available.
- Ryan White Medical Case Management: Provides confidential support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Services are free of charge to qualified Iowans.
- Veteran Services: Assists veterans and their families with understanding and determining eligibility for benefits.
- Public Safety: Linn County Sheriff’s Office is a certified Credible Leadership Organization focused on community betterment.
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Released Linn County’s first greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory, the first step in creating a climate action plan and created a Sustainability & Resiliency Advisory Committee.
- Vulnerable Communities: Linn County Board of Supervisors passed a second resolution affirming the County’s commitment to the Global Climate Crisis and prioritizing vulnerable communities in climate mitigation projects.
- Food Systems: Linn County Food Systems Council identified steps needed to increase production and improve access to healthy, local foods and is working to implement those steps.
- Planting Forward: Collaborating with Monarch Research in its Planting Forward project to re-canopy Linn County following the 2020 derecho.
- Green Iowa AmeriCorps: Serving as host site for Green Iowa AmeriCorps members as they provide environmental education and help advance Linn County’s efforts to be sustainable.
- Building Safety: Provides building inspections and code enforcement. Disaster mitigation through the adoption and enforcement of building codes is one of the best ways to prepare and protect against disasters.
Linn County Working for You
Linn County delivers essential services to ensure a healthy and sustainable community and quality of life for our residents. Learn more about how Linn County delivers effective, efficient, and customer-centered services to help Linn County thrive for a more resilient tomorrow.
- Linn County FY21 Annual Report (PDF)
- Linn County FY22 Budget (PDF)
- Strategic Plan (PDF)
- Community Resources
- County Departments
- NACo Prescription Discount Card - works for pet medications too at participating pharmacies
Stay Informed
Linn County has many ways for you to stay informed about programs, services, and events within County government, icluding:
- Social media
- News
- Week in Review
- Monthly eNewsletter
- Secondary Road Construction Updates
- Snow Removal Updates
- Blog posts
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