Olmsted County expands support for LGBTQIA+ community
Olmsted County is proud to highlight a series of initiatives aimed at increasing access to inclusive, affirming care for the LGBTQIA+ community. These efforts, led by Olmsted County Public Health Services (OCPHS), are part of a larger community-wide focus on improving health access for all residents.
Every three years, Olmsted County identifies top health priorities based on input from residents. The current priorities for 2024–2026 are access to health care, drug use, and mental health. As part of this cycle, the county is piloting a “collective impact” approach through the Community Health Assessment and Planning (CHAP) process. This approach brings together local organizations to develop individual and shared strategies that address these priorities.
One collective impact strategy focuses on reducing health disparities among LGBTQIA+ residents—who, according to the latest Community Health Needs Assessment, face significantly greater barriers to care. Fifty-nine percent of non-heterosexual adults in Olmsted County report delaying needed health care, compared to 33 percent of heterosexual adults. Reasons include high costs, lack of insurance, and concerns about whether care will be respectful and safe.
LGBTQIA+ resource hub
To help reduce barriers to care, Olmsted County has created a list of trusted resources for the LGBTQIA+ community. This list is available through the CredibleMind platform. This comprehensive hub includes affirming mental health services, support groups, and housing transition resources. Every resource has been reviewed to make sure it is affirming and supportive.
“LGBTQIA+ community members have often had to rely on word of mouth to find safe, affirming care—which can be limiting and exhausting,” said Mikayla Morris, a member of the LGBTQIA+ co-design team. “We hope this new resource hub eases that burden by making trusted, affirming options easier to find.”
Compassionate LGBTQIA+ care training for health care staff
OCPHS also worked with the co-design team to create holistic, story-based training to help local healthcare staff provide more affirming and understanding care to LGBTQIA+ patients. This training is currently being introduced to the local healthcare community.
“Queer and trans people—especially youth—face significantly worse health outcomes than their peers,” co-design team member Jes Springer said. “We have an incredible opportunity to show that it is possible to build systems of care in Olmsted County that are truly inclusive and affirming.”
Community engagement and support
OCPHS is also actively supporting broader community well-being by:
- Starting a local LGBTQIA+ youth mental health group.
- Promoting the Family Acceptance Project, which shows how accepting family behaviors help LGBTQIA+ youth stay safe and healthy.
These efforts reflect Olmsted County’s ongoing commitment to health equity. By addressing the barriers to healthcare, the county is taking meaningful steps toward creating a community where everyone can access the care they need.