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Parent Resources

Anoka County and Columbia Heights Resources

Minnesota Department of Education Resources

Minnesota's child development and parenting information available on Facebook and Twitter

Because more and more people are receiving information from social media these days, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently joined the social media movement by establishing a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

We are using these tools to complement our other communication efforts, such as Minnesota Help Me Grow, an interagency initiative of the State of Minnesota (Departments of Education, Health and Human Services) partnering with local service agencies to provide resources about the development of young children for parents and professionals. These resources include information on developmental milestones, YouTube videos, caregiver strategies to support development, screening and evaluation, and how to talk about developmental concerns.

We encourage everyone interested in child development, early childhood education and parenting topics in Minnesota to "like"  our Facebook page and "follow" us on Twitter. Users can find our Facebook page by searching for the Minnesota Department of Education and follow our Twitter updates @MnDeptEd. Also, visit YouTube for department videos.

University of Minnesota Extension Family Resources

A new web site at the University of Minnesota will help students to discover opportunities to spark their interests, families to find summer camps and exciting places to visit on University of Minnesota campuses, and preK-12 educators and administrators to find innovative classroom resources and high quality professional development. The site is designed to offer easy access to more than 180 activities, courses, and programs at the University that are available to the K-12 community-a one-stop shop for students, parents, educators, and others interested in the U's support for preK-12 education across Minnesota.

Visitors will find a site that allows them to designate their specific interests as a starting point to search the database of an enormous smorgasbord of offerings. Everything from creative programs to help teachers expand their skills and find new resources, to university music, science, art and just plain fun classes and camps for children can be found. The web site was created and will be managed by the College Readiness Consortium, part of the University's Office of the Senior Vice President of System Academic Administration, with the assistance of the College of Design and the College of Liberal arts.

Resources for families in tough economic times

Rising grocery prices. Pain at the gas pump. Home foreclosures. These days the economic news isn't good for families. Families are having to make adjustments in many areas of the family budget. Sometimes, economic stress can result in short tempers and lack of communication. The University of Minnesota Extension has resources which can help families not only with strategies to help manage family resources but also to improve communication, especially with children, in tough economic times. Go to https://extension.umn.edu/parenting-and-caregiving to check out what is available.

Silverwood Park

Silverwood Park is a regional center for the arts and the environment, devoted to the integration of nature-based experiences and artistic creation.  Amenities include indoor and outdoor art exhibits, a coffee shop featuring organic fair trade coffee and organic and local foods, large group rental areas and public arts programs.

ADHD - What are the facts?

 (Information from National Council on Family Relations, www.ncfr.org)

ADHD is marked by impulsivity, hyperactivity and inattention. It can affect learning, peer relationships and family life. Accurate information about ADHD and its effective, evidence-based treatments are not always easy to find. There are many myths and suggested remedies that are not scientifically supported. The diagnostic process requires expert assessment. Here is some information about ADHD from governmental agencies and professional sources.

  • Fact sheet from the National Institute of Mental Health.
  • Overview from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics Understanding ADHD
  • There is much hope on the horizon. The National Institute of Mental Health released an optimistic report that may encourage families and individuals coping with ADHD.
  • ADHD is not just a childhood condition - symptoms can persist into adulthood and affect individuals throughout the lifespan. Here is information from Harvard Medical School.

HealthyStuff.org