Child Development

Family Health nurses can help you to make sure that your child is developing like they should be!  Regular well child exams are an important part of your child's growth, too.  Public Health has many great resources available to help you make sure your child is on track! Contact us for more information.
 

Follow Along Program

Follow Along Program - MN Dept. of Health

Is your child developing on track? Babies and young children grow and learn at their own rate. However, some children may need help to grow up healthy and learn skills such as sitting, walking, or talking. Minnesota's Follow Along Program can help you track your child's development and let you know if your child is playing, talking, growing, moving, and behaving like other children the same age.

How Does the Follow Along Program Work?

• Questionnaires are sent to you when your child reaches different ages such as 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, and 36 months old. Each questionnaire asks how your child is growing, playing, talking, moving, and acting.
• Handouts with fun activities for you to do with your child are also sent to you.
• The results of the questionnaires will be shared with you. If there are any concerns, a nurse or other professional from the program will get in touch with you. Together, you can talk about choices for further evaluation or early help services.
• When your child is 36 months old, you will get information about the next step, Early Childhood Screening.

Enroll Here in the Follow Along Program »
 

CHILDREN AND YOUTH WITH SPECIAL HEALTH NEEDS (CYSHN) http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/cfh/program/cyshn.cfm

Help Me Grow 

Provides resources for families to understand developmental milestones and learn if there are concerns. This helps families take the lead in seeking additional support or referring their child for a comprehensive, confidential screening or evaluation at no cost. Public Health staff can help you learn more about the Help Me Grow resources that are available.

https://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/index.htm

Help Me Connect

Is a navigator connecting expectant families, families with young children (birth-8years old) and those working with families to services in their local communities to support health child development and family well-being.

https://helpmeconnect.web.health.state.mn.us/HelpMeConnect/

Family and Community Resource Navigators

In some Minnesota and Tribal communities, there are navigators available to help expecting and parenting families find and connect to local early childhood and family well-being services. Navigators are not available in all areas of the state yet but stay tuned… more will be added over the next year!
For more information visit: Home - Help Me Connect state.mn.us