ParentChild+ is a free home visiting program for families with children ages 16 months to 2.5 years that runs during the school year. The program supports families with school readiness, parenting skills, and child development. It helps underserved children bridge the opportunity gap and prepares them for success in school by pairing trained early learning specialists with families.

The early learning specialists meet with families twice weekly to play and read with the parent and child. Families receive free educational books and toys, and parents discover creative ways to teach their children and learn together.

ParentChild+ staff also provide wraparound support by connecting families to community and early learning services and resources, such as food and diaper access, and providing translation and application assistance. Staff form trusting relationships with families, which allows them to provide a warm hand-off to key partners that assist families with transportation, housing, daycare, preschool, and early childhood screening needs.

Contact Growing Up Healthy for more information:
call/text 507-301-6345 (habla español)
navigator@healthycommunityinitiative.org

Rice County ParentChild+ launched in 2019. This program is made possible in part with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth and Families, using State of Minnesota funding, and is supported by Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis, the founding Minnesota partner of ParentChild+. Since its first year, Rice County ParentChild+ has served more than 120 children from Faribault and Northfield.