Rice County Public Health to Begin Using Social Media

Rice County Public Health Nursing Director Deb Purfeerst went before the County Board of Commissioners today asking for their blessing to start using social media.

Purfeerst said her department sends out news releases to print and broadcast media and believes they are missing some people who are more connected through social media.

In a handout to the commissioners, Purfeerst outlined a number of agencies that use the communications tool.

Even some departments within Rice County are using it, including the Sheriff's Office, County Attorney's Office and Environmental Services Department.

Purfeerst added the Centers for Disease Control and Minnesota Department of Health are on several social media sites and checked counties in the area and found that every neighboring county Public Health Agency is using Facebook.

Purfeerst says her department wants to start with Facebook and see how that goes.

The Rice County Public Health Nursing Director cited specific program areas where she thought it would be particularly beneficial: the SHIP, Public Health Emergency preparedness, WIC, health promotion and family child health educational messaging.

Purfeerst did not believe there would be any additional cost to the county for using social media as a communications tool.

Commissioners requested a social media policy be developed and Purfeerst said she has samples from Goodhue and Olmsted counties and they will fashion something similar and return to the Board of Commissioners.

Commissioners seemed to agree social media would be another good tool to get the word out to people in need of public health services.