Gracie Minks is the new head of Pacific County’s health and human services department.

SOUTH BEND — The county’s health and human services department officially has its next leader.

County commissioners at their Jan. 14 meeting unanimously voted to appoint Gracie Minks as director of the Pacific County Health and Human Services Department. Minks succeeds Katie Lindstrom as PCHHS’s director, who served nearly five years in the role until her departure in October.

Born and raised in South Bend, Minks received her bachelor’s degree in public relations from Central Washington University in 2013. After college, she completed an AmeriCorps service term at the South Bend School District where she implemented a school-based Big Brothers Big Sisters program. She later worked as a coordinator at the South Bend-based Teen Advocacy Coalition before beginning at PCHHS.

Minks has worked in the department for nearly a decade, beginning as a human services specialist in 2016 and working her way up to the deputy director role, which she had served in since 2022.

“I began my career delivering prevention and promotion curriculum across the various school districts,” Minks said. “After about a year, I was promoted to a management position and began understanding the various fiscal complexities of funding a health and human services department. Between the fiscal oversight, contractual management and conducting day-to-day operations of the department, I was becoming well-rounded as a public health practitioner.”

Minks received her master’s of public health from CWU in 2022 along with a graduate certificate in rural and community health. She said her unique work skill set inspired her graduate studies, and her studies have “inspired my visions” for the department she now leads.

Chinook Observer: What about the job are you most excited about?

Gracie Minks: Our department objective for 2025 is to be intentional in our work. It feels like we have spent the past few years determining our ‘status quo’ after the heavy covid response. I am excited about brainstorming and implementing innovative solutions to combat some of the pressing public health priorities in Pacific County.

As a management team, we are spending time to create a collaborative and inclusive organization. The staff have been gracious through these learning challenges and have great ideas about program innovation and expansion. PCHHS will be a place where all staff have a voice and contribution toward the common goal: improving the health and wellness for residents of Pacific County.

Observer: What are some of the most pressing or important issues facing Pacific County from both a health and a human services standpoint? How can — or how is — the department playing a role in helping address them?

Minks: In our most recent Community Health Assessment (CHA), there were three priorities that rose to the top: access to care, affordable housing and mental health prevalence. These priorities have been fairly consistent over the past 10 years, and PCHHS has provided a variety of services and contracts over the years with a specific focus in combating these issues.

Looking ahead to 2025, we have a few new ideas for some of the health priorities and plan to continue with existing projects. For example, in regards to access to care, we have licensed nursing staff available across multiple school districts, [Women, Infants, and Children] clinics — which are available in person or remotely — and countless specialists who assist individuals and families with service enrollment (including developmental disabilities, veteran’s services, health insurance navigation, crisis system navigation, therapeutic court coordination, and rental assistance).

However, we are innovating new strategies to assist with the public health priorities. For instance, with mental health prevalence, we are creating a position to consolidate the crisis response system within the school districts. This individual would assist with the initiation of crisis response plans as delegated by the districts. As a department, we are invested in sustaining strategies that have been effective, but are open to improving programs as the public health system evolves and our community needs shift.

Observer: How do you see the department continuing to grow and evolve in the coming years, in terms of the services and opportunities it provides?

Minks: The public health system, as a whole, is shifting toward improving health systems. I predict PCHHS will become a bigger presence at the various organizational tables across the county. We will be working with hospitals, medical clinics, schools, courts, criminal justice agencies, and other social service agencies to identify needs and resolve gaps in our community. Ultimately, I want PCHHS to be a leader and an even better partner in the continuum of care within Pacific County.

As mentioned earlier, PCHHS is putting a strong emphasis into intentionality without our work. My vision is for current — and future — staff to have specialized and specific work plans where they can be subject matter experts for the community. I’d like staff to pursue professional development opportunities that enhance their work at PCHHS and benefit their long-term career goals. If staff choose to leave Pacific County, I hope they’d discover their time at PCHHS set them up to be successful for future job opportunities.

For my role, I want to be an advocate at the local, state and maybe even federal level for rural health. There are several meetings with the Washington Department of Health and other state agencies where a ‘one size fits all’ approach is required to deliver services or receive funding. Or, small counties are not included in the conversation at all. My goal is to be a voice at the table, offer tangible solutions that are equitable for rural areas, and pave the path for future directors and management staff at PCHHS.

Observer: What kind of impact has the covid-19 pandemic had on the department over the past few years? Do you feel the department is well prepared to respond to another public health emergency?

Minks: Covid had several impacts, but probably the most significant was staff turnover. While this was an issue in the public health workforce nationwide, it did feel daunting for a few years. Additionally, covid-19 unveiled the significant underfunding of the public health system at a local, regional and state level. After covid-19 became less emergency response focused, there were uncertainties about what PCHHS’s identity should be and how we find our rhythm again.

That said, we did find ways to build sustainability in foundational elements of our department. For example: we cross-trained more staff to be accountants and assist with organizing the finances; we have one manager and one .50 FTE dedicated specifically to public health emergency preparedness; and we host quarterly practicums with staff about roles and responsibilities in an emergency situation. Covid-19 highlighted where we were unprepared, however, it also provided opportunity to invest in our future response plans.

Observer: What do you enjoy the most about living and working in Pacific County?

Minks: My favorite part about working in Pacific County is the connection I have to the citizens. Public health work is much more rewarding when you are working within your community. It has been fun to make connections and build relationships with people from all across the county.

My favorite part about working for Pacific County as an entity is the teamwork and support I have from my fellow department heads and elected officials. There is a strong coalition of teamwork and I am appreciative that I have many people I can call for help or guidance when needed. Additionally, working for Pacific County values employees and their families, which is appreciated.

My favorite part about working for PCHHS is the staff. I do not think you’ll find a more dedicated group of people who care about their community. They are the heartbeat of PCHHS and do incredible, and sometimes difficult, work. I am extremely grateful for their confidence in me as a leader. I hope I’ll make them proud, because I am proud of them every day.

Observer: What’s an interesting fact about yourself that people might be surprised to know?

Minks: I have deep roots in Pacific County! My maiden name is Manlow, and my parents are Rick and Tracy Manlow. My dad and uncle, Mike Johnson, are third-generation business owners. Pioneer Grocery [in South Bend] was started by my great-grandfather, Herbert Johnson, Sr. I grew up stocking shelves, throwing freight and working every shift possible. I still have several family members who work in the business, including my husband Kenny, who manages the meat department.

My family instilled a great work ethic in me, and taught me to put people above everything else. I think that’s why I have a big heart for public health and leadership.