Olmsted County Kiosks to increase access to county services and information

  • News
  • Aug 2, 2021
Olmsted County Kiosks home screen

In an effort to help eliminate barriers such as transportation and increase access to Olmsted County services, the county is placing 11 kiosks in various locations across the community. Through the kiosks, residents can get help accessing services provided by Olmsted County’s Health, Housing, and Human Services (HHH) teams as well as information on Legal Assistance of Olmsted County, RentHelpMN, and State of Minnesota benefits. 

“At Olmsted County, we believe in providing high quality service with care to the community. We also strive to deliver innovative solutions to help improve our residents’ quality of life,” stated Olmsted County Administrator Heidi Welsch. “The Olmsted County Kiosks are designed to be another touchpoint for residents to access help from the county.” 

An introductory video provides a preview of what the kiosks look like and what they do.  

Kiosk locations

Before visiting a kiosk, you are encouraged to contact each location for specific details on hours of service, etc. Hours of operation for each kiosk will be determined by the host agency.  

Olmsted County Kiosks are now available at the following locations.

  • Channel One: 131 35th St. SE, Rochester, MN
  • Family Service Rochester: 4600 18th Ave. NW, Rochester, MN
  • Intercultural Mutual Assistance Association (IMAA): 2500 Valleyhigh Dr. NW, Rochester, MN
  • Olmsted County government buildings
    • 2100 building: 2100 Campus Dr. SE, Rochester, MN
    • 2117 building: 2117 Campus Dr. SE, Rochester, MN (2 kiosks)
  • Rochester Public Library: 101 2nd St. SE, Rochester, MN 
  • The Salvation Army (social services building): 115 1st Ave. NE, Rochester, MN  
  • Zumbro Valley Health Center: 343 Woodlake Dr., Rochester, MN

Kiosks will also be available at the following sites beginning August 10, 2021. 

  • Stewartville Public Library: 110 2nd St. SE, Stewartville, MN 
  • RCTC Heintz Center: 1926 Collegeview Rd. E., Rochester, MN 

“We are grateful to our partners for hosting these kiosks at their locations. Through this collaborative effort, we will be able to minimize barriers and enable even more residents to access Olmsted County services in locations that are convenient and comfortable to them,” said HHH Division Administrator Sarah Oachs. 

Health, Housing, and Human Services kiosk offerings

Olmsted County HHH information will be accessible through the kiosks, specifically services for individuals and families. Information will be categorized as follows:

  • Adults and seniors: Adult behavioral health; adult foster care; aging and elderly services; dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT); disability services; report abuse; substance use disorder treatment; and veteran benefits.
  • Child & youth: Adoption services; child foster care license; child support (help with collecting); childcare licensing; immunizations; parenting resources; report abuse; Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program; and youth behavioral health. 
  • Crisis: Adult behavioral health; dialectical behavior therapy (DBT); and Rochester Community Warming Center. 
  • Financial Assistance: Cash or emergency assistance; child support (help with collecting); child care assistance program; food assistance; medical assistance (health care); Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program. 
  • Food, water, & air: Drinking water testing and radon testing. 
  • Health, medical, & well-being: Aging and elderly services; adult behavioral health; dialectical behavior therapy (DBT); medical assistance (health care); immunizations; report foodborne illness; Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program; and youth behavioral health. 
  • Housing: Housing assistance and the Rochester Community Warming Center. 
  • Individuals living with a disability: Disability services. 
  • Mental health resources: Adult behavioral health; dialectical behavior therapy (DBT); substance use disorder treatment; and youth behavioral health. 
  • Veterans: Veterans benefits. 

Kiosk features

Each kiosk comes with the following features: 

  • 19-inch touch screen monitor.
  • Full metal keyboard with a touchpad. 
  • Amplified stereo speakers.
  • Handset to bypass speakers and listen privately.
  • Privacy screen.

Future plans for the kiosks

Olmsted County plans to roll out additional services through its kiosks in future phases of the initiative. 

“This is just phase one of our Olmsted County Kiosks effort,” continued Oachs. “We will gather learnings from this first phase and continue expanding the number of offerings available in the future. I encourage Olmsted County residents to give the kiosks a try and let us know what you think. Feedback can be provided directly through the kiosks, or via email at OlmstedKiosks@olmstedcounty.gov, and will be critical to ensuring they’re meeting resident needs and helping Olmsted County achieve its mission of providing the foundation of a vibrant community.”