May 4, 2022

Announcing a Navigator Community of Practice for Early Childhood

What: The Departments of Health, Human Services, and Education are hosting a four-session, virtual Community of Practice for early childhood professionals who provide navigation support to families with young children. The purpose of the Community of Practice is to:

• Foster connections between early childhood professionals.
• Build capacity and skills for relationship-based family navigation.
• Develop strategies, workflows, and tools to identify resources families want and make referrals.

Why: There are many early childhood resources, services, and programs available to families with young children, but these are often fragmented and hard to understand or access. Formal and informal navigators can connect families to community resources, services, and programs. While many who play this role may not have the job title of navigator, they are passionate about supporting the families they work with every day.

Who should register: Early childhood professionals and navigators; including home visitors, school-based professionals, community-based providers, and county agency staff who provide formal or informal navigation support to families with young children and are interested in group learning with others. Space is limited and is first come, first served. We encourage you to attend all four sessions if possible. More information on Sessions 3 and 4 will be made available in the coming months.

Session 1: Identifying a Family’s Priorities, May 24, 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

Speakers: Marayan Ibrahim, Monica Rodriguez Padilla, and Jessica Block, Children’s Minnesota Community Connect

Learn about different family-centered intake and screening strategies and tools to identify families’ priorities and goals.

Register for Session 1, May 24.

Session 2: Finding and Vetting Resources, June 28, 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m.

Discussion topics will include how to find good resources for families, what questions to ask to make sure a resource is a good fit, and making good connections.

Register for Session 2, June 28.

Session 3: Caring for yourself as a Navigator, Date TBD

Session 4: Case Management and Effective Communication, Date TBD

Questions? Email Laura Guzman-Corrales.