Nate Bostrom introduced Patrick Stieg, Public Health Program Specialist for Carver
County Public Health Department. He has been with Carver County since 2017. Pat
has previously worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dakota County Public Health Department and the American Heart Association.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education at Minnesota State University Moorhead and his master's in public health education and Promotion from University of Northern Iowa.
Pat spoke about the Communities of Belonging initiative in Carver County. The
initiative was launched in late 2021 after belonging and well-being were identified
as needs in the Community Health Improvement Plan. Communities of Belonging is
based on the concept that a community should be a place where people are truly
connected and know each other, care about each other, and take care of each
other – even if everyone does not agree on very many issues. The result is that
interaction is a stronger and better community that benefits everyone living in it.
The goal of this initiative is to ensure that anyone who lives in, works in or visits Chaska feels welcomed and that they belong here.
Pat discussed Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and
noted that needs at the bottom must be met first before needs higher up can be satisfied. He also talked about the difference between belonging (I get to be me) and fitting in (I must be like you to be accepted).
Pat wrapped up his presentation talking about how Communities of Belonging fit into other initiatives in Chaska and stated they want to support communities any way they can.
Finally, Pat noted Carver County was ranked healthiest county in Minnesota for the 11th straight year. Way to go Carver County!
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