Whee Care Childcare is located in South Maplewood. We are part of School District 622. Carver Elementary school provides transportation from my home as well as Maplewood Middle School and Tartan High School. I believe Transfiguration catholic school also has an agreement with our busing garage.
Help Me Grow
Help Me Grow 651-604-3700
If you have questions or concerns about your baby or your child’s development, call the St. Paul and North Suburban Help Me Grow Office and make a referral.
When to call Help Me Grow:
If a baby or young child has a suspected medical diagnosis that slows the child’s development; or any of the following:
Complications of prematurity
Delays in meeting developmental milestones
Short attention span
Unintelligible speech
No speech/few words compared to peers
Hearing or vision concerns
Testing positive for drugs at birth
Lack of eye contact
Behavioral concerns or mental health concerns
Unusual or repetitive play behavior
Services provided:
Evaluate to learn if your child needs help
Refer and coordinate services
- Help you understand Parent’s Rights to services
- Inform your family of options so the best choice can be made
- Help with an Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP)
- Connect your family with other families who have children with special needs and other support groups
- Inform your family of advocacy groups
- Provide your family with information about child development
- Help your child prepare for school
HelpMeGrowMN.org
1-866-693-GROW (4769)
Community Education
ISD 622 Community Education provides lifelong learning experiences for people of all ages, abilities and cultures through community-based programs and services. They have programs available for families, preschoolers, children, youth, adults, and senior citizens including:
Adult Basic Education provides free educational programs and services for students who wish to received their GED or brush up on basic skills. For more information or to register call 651-748-6225 or 651-748-6208.
Adventure Connection offers before and after-school, non-school day, and summer child care in the elementary schools. Students from kindergarten through fifth grade are welcome. For more information or to register call 651-748-7431 or 651-748-7432
Community Bridge provides community inclusion for adults with disabilities and provides support and accommodations to facilitate their participation in a variety of community education programs. For more information call 651-748-7434.
Early Childhood Screening is required by the State of Minnesota for all children prior to kindergarten entrance. Children are screened beginning at age 3. Families are notified by mail of screening dates and times. Call 651-748-7289.
What is Early Childhood Screening?
Early Childhood Screening (ECS) is a program that helps:
To find out how your child is growing and developing.
To connect parent and child with school and community resources if needed.
To answer any parenting questions/concerns you may have.
The screening is required by law for entrance into Kindergarten in Minnesota Public Schools. It is important to have children screened at an early age so there is adequate time to obtain help for any identified concerns before the child enters school. There is no cost to families for Early Childhood Screening.
Who needs to be screened?
School District 622 invites all children, 3 years old and older, to screening.
Minnesota state law requires that all children participate in Early Childhood Screening before entering a public school kindergarten. Some private schools also require it. Minnesota State Requirements
Children who attend Head Start or Early Childhood Special Education programs may not need to be screened.
Screening is not required for your child’s entry into kindergarten or first grade if you are a conscientious objector to screening. Please call to obtain the required form.
When should the screening be done?
School District 622 invites all children, 3 years old and older, to screening. Early screening will confirm that your child is either progressing normally or experiencing delays that will benefit from early intervention.
If your child is younger than 3 years old and you have concerns about development, please call Early Childhood Information and Referral. In Ramsey County, call 651-604-3700. In Washington County, call 651-430-6700.
How do I get an appointment?
Call 651-748-7289 to make an appointment or visit www.isd622.org/page/6275
Screening appointments are offered 2-5 times per month between September and April. Appointment times fill up quickly, so please call early. Each appointment will take about 2 hours and a parent will stay with their child throughout the screening. There is no cost to families for Early Childhood Screening.
What does this screening include?
vision and hearing check
growth screening
immunization review
developmental progress using a standardized tool
family health and development review
information and resources for your child
It does not include recommendations on whether your child is ready for kindergarten. Kindergarten entrance is based on the district age criteria of 5 years of age on or before September 1 and a parent’s decision. Early childhood developmental screening helps a school district identify children who may benefit from district and community resources available to help in their development. Early childhood developmental screening includes a vision screening that helps detect potential eye problems but is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye exam.
What can I expect when we come for screening?
You will fill out registration forms, watch your child complete the screening activities, and review the process at the end.
Your child will have their height and weight recorded, do some developmental activitieswith a teacher, and have their vision and hearing checked by a nurse.
How should we get ready for screening?
Bring your child healthy, well rested, fed and in comfortable clothes.
Assure your child that they will be playing games with a teacher. Most children have fun at screening.
Bring your completed Health Information form to screening.
Allow 2 hours for registration, screening, and summary.
If possible, arrange care for siblings so you can focus on the child being screened.
Why should my child be screened?
Screening provides a way for parents to learn more about their child and find out about resources to prepare your child for school success.
Early Childhood Screening is required by state law.
Who does the screening?
In ISD 622, a licensed teacher and a registered nurse will screen your child.
OR
Your family physician may do the screening if a standardized development test is used. Check with your doctor’s office to see if their screening meets the state’s requirements. Please bring a signed Physicians summary report to your child’s school.
English as a Second Language (ESL) provides English lessons for foreign born adults with limited English ability. Call 651-748-7493.
Facility Use provides a space in school district buildings for a variety of activities by groups, organizations, and individuals. For more information or to register call 651-748-7439 or 651-748-7436.
Parent and Family Education focuses on the needs of parents with children in grades K-12 by providing classes, workshops, support groups and resource information. Call 651-748-7280.
Early Childhood Family Education
Early Childhood Family Education offers:
- Classes for parents and their children ages birth to five (before kindergarten entrance) that promote development and school readiness
- Parenting information, resources and support
Most weekly ECFE classes have three basic components:
- Parent-Child Interaction
- Parent Education
- Early Childhood Learning
Home Visits are available to District 622 Families
If you have questions or concerns regarding children, ages birth to kindergarten and can’t come to ECFE, then ECFE can come to you! Home visits are available at no charge to District 622 residents. Visits can include activities for children and/or discussions about parenting. Call 651-748-7280 to schedule a visit. Please see www.isd622.org for information on both Community Ed and Early Childhood classes or http://www.isd622.org/cms/lib07/MN01001375/Centricity/Domain/1230/ECFE%20Parent%20Handbook%202013-14.pdf for the 2013-2014 ECFE parent handbook.
CCAP
CCAP can help pay child care costs for all children age 12 and younger, and for children ages 13 and 14 who have special needs. If your child is under the age of 15 and has special needs, talk to your county worker if your child care costs are higher due to your child’s special needs.
Contact your county’s human service office or the Child Care Aware MN agency in your area to begin the application process.
888-291-9811
http://www.childcareawaremn.org
State Early Learning Scholarships
The State Early Learning Scholarships give families financial support up to $5000 to help pay for high-quality early care and education to prepare their young children for school.
Due to limited resources, Minnesota State Early Learning Scholarships will be distributed on a priority-basis. Priorities include the county in which the family resides, whether the parent is under 21, the early childhood program chosen by the parent and/or whether the child has a previous scholarship.
If you have questions, please contact Think Small at please call 651-641-6604 or email scholarships@thinksmall.org.
http://www.thinksmall.org/for_parents_and_guardians/help_paying_for_child_care
For scholarship information available in other languages, call 651-665-0150 or 1-866-807-6021
MFIP
The Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) helps families with children meet their basic needs, while helping parents move to financial stability through work. Parents are expected to work, and are supported in working with both cash and food assistance. Most families have a lifetime limit of 60 months on MFIP.
contact information: www.applymn.dhs.mn.gov or 651-266-4444
Health Care Coverage in MN
The Minnesota Health Information Clearinghouse is a resource for health-related information and publications. We answer questions and make referrals when necessary to sources who can provide further information or assistance. Our clients include consumers, employers, providers, health plans, government agencies, and others.
contact information: www.health.state.mn.us/clearinghouse
Public Health Services
Ramsey County Public health offers many services including
- Immunizations
- Reproductive/sexual health
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children)- Food vouchers can be used to purchase infant formula, milk and other specified foods. 651-266-1300
- Health Care and Coverage / Medical Assistance with no monthly premium payment for children: 651-266-4444
- SNAP (Nutrition / Food assistance): 651-266-4439
- MFIP (MN Families Investment Program) Financial support, job support, child care: 651-266-4444
For more information call 651-266-2400 or email askph@co.ramsey.mn.us
For Other Languages call: 651-266-3800
Dental Resources
Give Kids a Smile http://www.ada.org/givekidsasmile.aspx
Dental Directory: http://minnesota-low-cost-health-care-directory1.friendshelpingfriends.aidpage.com/
Local Clinics:
Century College Dental Clinic, 3300 Century Ave N, White Bear Lake, MN 55110 651-779-5787
University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry, 515 Delaware Street Minneapolis, MN 55455 612-625-7171
Helping Hands Health Center 506 W. 7th St. St. Paul, MN 55102-3006 651-224-7561
Model Cities Health Clinic 409 North Dunlap St St. Paul, MN 55104-4201 651-290-9200
Community Dental Care
St. Paul Clinic 828 Hawthorne Ave. East St. Paul, MN 55106 651-774-2959
Westside Dental Clinic 478 South Robert Street St. Paul, MN 55107. 651-602-7575
Bridge to Benefits
www.bridgetobenefits.org
Bridge to Benefits is a multi-state project by Children’s Defense Fund to improve the well-being of families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits. It is very easy to use and does not keep personal information.
This screening tool can help people in Minnesota learn if they may be able to get help from the programs below:
Health Insurance Programs:
Medical Assistance (MA)
Minnesota Healthy Care
Child Care Assistance Program (MFIP &, Basic Sliding Fee)
Energy Assistance Program (EAP, LIHEAP)
School Lunch Program (Free and Reduced School Lunch)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Earned Income Tax Credit & Working Family Credit
WIC (Women, Infants, Children supplemental program)