Community Resources:

• First Call for Help:  211 or www.unitedwayhelps.org

• Central MN Mental Health Center Crisis Line:  24 hours  800-635-8008

• Crisis Nursery:  763-241-2600

• MN Poison Control: 800-222-1222

• Reach-Up Head Start: 877-848-4912 

• Big Lake Food Shelf: 763-263-2432

• 24 hour General Depression Hotline: 800-784-2433

• Central MN Mental Health Center:  763-441-3770

• Child Care Choices: 800-288-8549 for help finding childcare     

• Early Intervention Services: 763-272-2946 Services for children with special needs, or for questions about your child’s development.

• La Leche League of Monticello -- www.lalecheleague.org   All breastfeeding mothers and mothers-to-be interested in breastfeeding are welcome to come to our meetings or call one of our Leaders for breastfeeding help or information. Babies are always welcome at our meetings.  La Leche League Leaders are experienced mothers who have breastfed their own babies and who have been trained and accredited by La Leche League International to help mothers and mothers-to-be with all aspects of breastfeeding. They are available by phone whenever you have breastfeeding questions or concerns. If you prefer to receive help via email, please submit your question using the LLLI Help Form at http://lalecheleague.org/help_form. Thank you.
  Groups and Leaders in Minnesota
  Call (612) 922-4996 for a referral to your nearest LLL Group. Or, e-mail or call a leader for meeting locations and directions
         Elaine: 763-712-0859
         Kay: 320-252-8467
         Linda: lindajohn2002@msn.com
  Para Español, habla con Connie: 763-566-1409

• Parent Warmline:  612-813-6336 is a FREE telephone service sponsored by Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. The Warmline provides parents with person-to-person support, practical advice and resources about parent-child relationships and the behavior and development of children from infants to teens.

• Sherburne County "Follow Along Program":  For infants and children up to 48 months of age... Babies and young children grow and learn at their own rate. The Follow Along Program can help you know if your child is playing, talking, growing, moving, and behaving similar to other children of the same age.  Some children may need special help to grow up healthy and learn skills such as sitting, walking, or talking. The Follow Along Program can help you know if this is true for your child.  Just call Sherburne County Public Health at 763-241-5750 or 800-433-5237.

• Sherburne County “Kids Klinic”: Kids Klinic provides health maintenance checkups and immunizations for children from birth through 20 years of age.  Services include screenings for growth, development, blood pressure, anemia, vision and hearing. Visits also include a physical assessment, immunizations, and counseling regarding nutrition, safety and development.  
  Fees are based on Medicaid eligibility but services are not denied due to inability to pay. If your insurance does not cover well child care and immunizations, or if you have no health insurance for your children, call Kids Klinic for affordable health care.  Tuesdays and Thursdays 9:00 am - 4:30 pm.   For appointment and additional information, please call  763-241-2750 or 800-433-5237.

• Sherburne County Public Health: 763-241-2750 or 800-433-5237 www.co.sherburne.mn.us/pubhealth   Immunizations, child/teen checkups, family planning, pregnancy testing, prenatal care, postpartum care, WIC, vision, disease prevention, hearing, blood pressure screenings, foot care, Follow Along program.

• Sherburne County Public Health Car Seat Safety Program
  Reduced-Cost Car Seats:
      * Are you expecting a baby?
      * Is your infant growing out of the infant carrier seat?
      * Is your toddler growing out of the convertible seat?
      * Does your 4-8 year need a booster seat?
  Attend a 90 minute class to receive a new child safety seat and receive instruction on proper use and installation.  Distribution classes are scheduled twice monthly.
  Call 1-800-433-5237 or 763-241-2750 to sign-up for the next class!
  Eligibility Requirements:  Income eligible families who are residents of Sherburne County can receive car seats for a $20 suggested donation. Call to find out income guidelines (families who are on WIC or children on Medical Assistance are automatically eligible).

• Sherburne County Social Services: 241-2600 or 800-433-5239

• S.P.A.R.K. (Special Parents and Remarkable Kids) www.nwspark.com   “Our Parent Network to motivate and support families with special needs children in the NW Minneapolis suburbs.  We share our experiences, joys, and challenges to foster a welcome environment, thus building a network of resources.  You don’t need to make this journey alone.  Please join us!

• St. Mary’s Health Clinics:  651-690-7029  A group of free clinics located throughout the Twin Cities metro.

• S.T.A.R.S. for Children’s Mental Health:  763-271-5322 or 877-333-0083 for help with finding Mental Health Resources.

• WIC Program: Women, Infants and Children (WIC) is a federally-funded health and nutrition education program that provides free supplemental foods including milk, cheese, juice, cereal, eggs, beans, peanut butter, and infant formula to promote good health for pregnant, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five. WIC participants also receive one-on-one nutrition assessment and counseling, breastfeeding information and support, and referrals to health care and community services at no cost. Call Sherburne County Public Health at 763-241-2750 or 1-800-433-5237 to see if you are income-eligible and for more information.

• Autism Support Group  (Becker)  Please join us for an informal gathering where parents meet to discuss autism and the impact on the family.  We exist to offer support, education and resources to parents.

         • Monthly gathering
         • Parent-facilitated
         • Childcare provided free
         • Pizza provided at no cost

         WHERE:     Becker Intermediate School
                            6:30-8:00 PM
         WHEN:    3rd Thursday of every month
         RSVP:    Pat Brown, School Social Worker
                        pbrown@becker.k12.mn.us
                        763-261-4504 ext. 2051

• Autism and Down Syndrome Support Groups: (Elk River)
  The following two groups meet separately at the same time.


• Autism Support Group:This is a parent facilitated, informal gathering for discussion of both challanges and joys faced by parents of children on the Autism Spectrum. A medical diagnosis is not required. Preschool and Elementary school aged topics will be covered. Occasionally speakers are brought in to feature a special interest area.

• Down Syndrome Support Group:  All are welcome to join this parent facilitated, informal gathering for discussion of both challanges and joys faced by parents of children with Down Syndrome. If you have    questions regarding this group, please contact the parent facilitators: Heather Coudron, (763) 274-1710 or email  woodland132@yahoo.com or Julie Mielke, (763) 856-1078 or email  mielkman@hotmail.com

         WHERE:  Handke Family Center, Elk River  7:00-9:00pm
         WHEN:  1st Wednesday of every month
                       Walk-ins are welcome.

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