Multilingual website serves as comprehensive resource for early childhood development
MINNEAPOLIS (Nov. 18, 2016) – To help Minnesota children grow and thrive, Help Me Grow MN and the Minnesota Department of Education launched the new helpmegrowmn.org. The website gives parents, caregivers and professionals a comprehensive, one-stop resource for information on early childhood development and developmental milestones.
Information on the website is offered in four languages: English, Somali, Hmong and Spanish. If adults have a concern about a child’s development, they can use the website to refer a child for a free developmental screening or evaluation through their public school.
“For children with developmental delays or disabilities, early intervention provides the best opportunities for success in school,” said Marty Smith, Region 11 IEIC Help Me Grow Project Coordinator with Metropolitan Educational Cooperative Service Unit (Metro ECSU). “We designed this website to empower parents, caregivers and professionals to better understand how children grow, and identify what is typical in development and when there might be a concern.”
The website includes specific information for:
• Parents: Parents can learn about developmental milestones to monitor their child’s development, access strategies to encourage development and refer a child for evaluation and screening. The website also explains the referral process and answers common questions.
• Caregivers: Caregiver information includes child development resources and information about how to talk with parents if there is concern about a child’s development. Resources and information kits are available to share with families.
• Health care and early childhood professionals: The website includes information about when and how to refer a child, and has information about conditions that are likely to result in developmental delays. Professionals can access developmental screening resources and information about how to talk with parents about developmental concerns.
For more information and to access these resources, visit helpmegrowmn.org.
Help Me Grow MN is a Minnesota state initiative that connects children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families to local, free early intervention services provided by public schools. Services are free to eligible children, regardless of income or immigrant status. Visit helpmegrowmn.org to learn more.
