State Grants Continuation Funding for Family, Friend, and Neighbor Care Initiative

The Northland Foundation was recently awarded a $139,500 grant from the Minnesota Department of Human Services to continue the Northland Alliance for Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Child Care Provider Outreach and Support Initiative.

This regional collaboration was launched in January 2007 with the aid of a similar state grant. The goal of the initiative is to promote early literacy, social and emotional development, and school readiness for children ages 0-5 who receive care in a non-licensed setting. Many caregivers are grandparents or other relatives, friends of the family or neighbors.

During the first phase of funding, the Northland Alliance conducted 144 home visits to FFN child care providers and 73 small-group training events. Average attendance at events was 10 to 15 FFN providers and 12 young children. Through the Northland Alliance, the participating communities were able to share resources and strategies with FFN caregivers, who often do not have many sources of support and information.

“Great strides have been made to connect with these ‘informal’ but very important group of caregivers,”
~ Lynn Haglin.Over the next two years, the Northland Alliance will build upon the strong foundation established during the past 20 months. The four direct service sites, Carlton County Prenatal/Early Childhood Coalition, Duluth Public Schools Early Childhood Family Education, Lake Superior School District, and Hermantown and Proctor Early Childhood Programs, are anticipating serving more than 250 FFN caregivers. Planned strategies include home visits, targeted trainings called “Play and Learn” sessions, and other outreach efforts.

A wide array of community partners such as Child Care Resource & Referral-Region 3, the Duluth Public Library, Arrowhead Library System, United Way of Greater Duluth, Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, and the University of Minnesota Duluth will continue to be tapped to support the work of the initiative.

“Great strides have been made to connect with this ‘informal’ but very important group of caregivers. We are thrilled to receive this grant from the Department of Human Services to continue to improve the healthy development and school readiness of our youngest children,” said Lynn Haglin, Vice President and KIDS PLUS Director at the Northland Foundation.