Shya Tran | Expanded Help Me Grow Coordinator

Expanded HMG Vision Expanded Help Me Grow will be a coordinated, statewide system that will effectively connect children, families and providers to a broad array of information and existing services and supports in Minnesota.

Expanded HMG Vision An interagency initiative of the Minnesota Departments of Health (MDH), Education (MDE) and Human Services (DHS) and is supported by the Children’s Cabinet. The target population is all parents, caregivers and families of children prenatal – age 8 in Minnesota and all professionals who work with children within this population. Two generation approach – addressing the needs of parents and children together.

Expanded HMG Vision Based on the national HMG model (51 systems across 20 states) The model has four essential program components: Centralized Access System: Will assist families and children to get connected with appropriate services and programs. It includes 2 sub- components: A comprehensive resource database and online user interface Backend resource database population and management (MNHelp.info) Frontend online user interface Keyword look-up feature Browsing by topic categories An online navigator tool An information assistance and referral and follow-up system, including phone and online chat assistance from family/early childhood specialists

Expanded HMG Vision The model has four essential program components cont. Community and Family Engagement: Building upon trusted partnerships on connecting families and communities to HMG centralized access system components. Provider Outreach: Engaging providers to support early detection and intervention and promote the use of expanded HMG. Data Collection: Identify gaps and barriers of Minnesota’s early childhood system to inform funding and policy decisions; support coordination across child and family services.

Current HMG Referral Process A family has a developmental concern Referral to Current HMG System Education (Part C and Part B 619) All referrals go to the child’s resident district. The district will conduct screening and evaluation to determine if the child qualifies for services.  

Expanded HMG Referral and Follow-Up System Model Family question/ concern Educational Medical Social Services Mental Health Local Public Health Community Cultural Info assistance and referral linkage line or online chat assistance: Connect with a family and early childhood specialist “Warm hand-off referral” Keyword look-up Browsing by topic categories Online navigator tool DRAFT Web: Frontend user interface Referral and follow-Up Backend resource database population and management Resource database “MNHelp.info” Specialists will use resource database

Expanded HMG Vision List of potential services, programs and resources a family may be referred to: Educational Part C and Part B 619 ECFE Head Start/Early Head Start Scholarships EC Screening School Readiness   Medical Primary care Specialists Rehab Social Services Disability Supports and Services Medicaid Basic Needs Assistance Community Parenting Groups Child Care Mental Health Adult Mental Health Children’s Mental Health Alcohol and Substance Abuse Behavioral Health Public Health Follow Along Program Family Home Visiting WIC Child and Teen Check-up Maternal supports Culturally Specific Services Language Supports Tribal Services Refugee Services  

Resource Database Guided by the recommendations of the HMG stakeholder workgroups formed after the Minnesota HMG Summit, a plan was presented and approved by the Sub-Cabinet and Children’s Cabinet in September 2017. As the first phase of implementation, the three agencies and their partners will establish a comprehensive resource database of family and early childhood services, programs and resources across the state. The database will serve as the foundation for the centralized access system and will be a public resource for parents, caregivers and service providers.

MNHelp.info We are partnering with MNHelp.info to build the resource database. MNHelp.info is an existing state resource that houses: Senior Linkage Line Veterans Linkage line Disability Hub

Priorities The HMG stakeholder workgroup recommendations will continue to lead and direct the work of expanded HMG. Families, communities, providers and early childhood stakeholders will be engaged during the expansion to build a system that is accessible, relevant to the user, and caters to the different needs of generations, communities and preferences. The current leadership team is committed and will continue to explore other funding mechanisms to continue moving expanded HMG forward.

Questions Shya Tran Expanded Help Me Grow Coordinator Shya.tran@state.mn.us 651-582-8351