Healthy Development and Screening

Learn more about how your child is developing through one of Minnesota’s programs that support families who have children birth to 7 years of age. Programs offer a variety of services that include developmental screening, parent support, fun activities to support a child’s development, and connections to other helpful services.

Family Home Visiting(For ages: Prenatal to 5 years; varies by program)

Family home visiting (FHV) is a voluntary program for families who are pregnant or who have very young children. Trained home visitors meet with families in their community to provide social, emotional, health-related, and parenting support and information, and to link them to other helpful resources. Some examples of services an individual family may receive are prenatal education and referrals, help creating a safe and healthy environment, and referrals to early childhood programs in the community. Many Early Childhood Family Education programs offer family home visiting services.

Follow Along Program(For ages: Birth to 3 years, some counties serve children up to 5 years)

The Follow Along Program is a free service that supports families with babies and young children as they grow and learn. Local public health teams send families a form every few months with questions about their child’s progress. Once the form is returned, families receive fun activities to do with their child to help them explore and learn through play. Public health staff are also available to answer questions and connect families with resources and services, if needed.

Online Enrollment Form for Follow Along Program

Early Head Start(For ages: Birth through 2 years)

Home visiting or center-based services and programs for low-income families with infants and toddlers that support child development, parenting skills and self-sufficiency.

Head Start(For ages: 3 through 5 years)

Services and programs that prepare low-income families with preschool children (ages 3 - 5) for their transition to public school kindergarten and to support child development, parenting skills and self-sufficiency. Complete this online referral form to get connected to your local Head Start program.

Early Childhood Screening(For ages: 3 years through Kindergarten)

Early Childhood Screening partners with families to provide a one-time free and simple check of how a child is growing, developing, and learning. Screening includes areas in which a child is doing well and areas of possible health or developmental concerns. Families may also receive information and referrals to district or community early learning programs. Screening at 3 years of age is preferred, but a child may be screened between the ages of 3 and the start of kindergarten, or first grade. Early Childhood Screening videos for parents in English, Hmong, Somali, and Spanish, as well as translated brochures and frequently asked questions, are available in many languages on Early Childhood Screening for Parents.

Health Care Providers/Clinics(For all ages)

Visiting a health care provider for routine, well-child checkups is a great opportunity for parents to receive information about immunizations, healthy food choices, ways to keep children active, and tips to help children get ready for school. It is also a perfect time for parents and children to ask questions about any development, behavior, or mental health concerns. Need help finding health insurance?

Child and Teen Checkups(For ages: Birth to 21 years)

For children covered by Medical Assistance, well-child checkups (medical and dental) called Child and Teen Checkups (C&TC), are free for newborns, children, and youth through age 20 years. If you do not have a health care provider or clinic, contact your C&TC coordinatorfor help (use the drop-down box to select your county or tribe). For children covered by other health insurance, contact member services to find a clinic near you where the well-child visit may be paid for by your health insurance.

Early Childhood Family Education(For ages: Prenatal to Kindergarten)

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is a family education program that provides programming and services for families with children between the ages of birth to Kindergarten. Some school districts offer parenting programs up to third grade. Learning opportunities may occur in a variety of settings, such as the families’ homes, district or community sites, and online parenting education and support. Classes often include parent discussion time; joint parent and child activities; and children learning and play time.

Help Me Grow

Visit MN Help Me Grow to learn how young children develop, learn, and grow from birth to five years of age. Find ideas on how to support a child’s development and what to do if you have concerns.