www.co.itasca.mn.us

Public Health offers various programs designed to promote, protect, and maintain
the health of all citizens of Itasca County.

Family Health Programs provide maternal-child health care to pregnant women, babies, and families. The goals of the program include:

• Improving the health of pregnant women and their unborn babies.
• Providing health services to children and families.
• Providing case coordination and services to families of children with special needs.

The Family Health programs include:

• Healthy Beginnings
• Follow Along
• Child and Teen Checkups Outreach
• Home Visiting
• Early Childhood Screening
• Women, Infant and Children (WIC)
• Immunizations
• Personal Care Attendant (PCA) assessments

Adult and Seniors programs assist eligible elderly and disabled people to remain living in the community by coordinating services.

Health Education promotes healthy behaviors and provides information/education to prevent disease, disability and premature death.

Other Public Health programs provide a variety of services to meet the ever-changing health needs of Itasca County.

For more information regarding Family Health or other programs, call (218) 327-2941.

ECFE’s Mission:

• We believe that the home is the child’s first learning environment
• We know that parents are their child’s first and most important teacher
• We provide licensed Early Childhood & Parent Educators to support families

ECFE is:

• A place for children to play and learn
• An opportunity to spend quality time with your child
• A time for you to connect with other families
• A place for YOU, the parent, to talk with other parents who share your concerns

ECFE is for:

• All families with children ages birth to five.
• EVERYBODY – there are no income guidelines. There is a small fee for classes based on a sliding fee scale.
• Learning: classes are divided into three parts:
  • Parent/Child Interaction – parents spend time playing with their children. Our child-friendly classrooms offer exciting activities designed with young children in mind.
  • Parent Time – an opportunity to spend time with other parents in a guided discussion group. The support and encouragement that parents receive from each other makes this time so popular.
  • Child Time – during parent discussion time, children are in the classroom enjoying a healthy snack, engaging in cooperative play, and gaining independent skills.

Our goal is to support parents and promote the healthy growth of their children. “Come for your child but stay for yourself!”

School Readiness Mission:

• We believe that all children deserve to enter Kindergarten ready to succeed
• We partner with parents to help preschoolers enter school with the skills and
  behaviors necessary to be successful in future learning
• We provide licensed Early Childhood Teachers to support children’s development

School Readiness is:

• A positive preschool experience
• A chance to play, have fun, and learn from hands-on activities
• A public school program funded by the state of Minnesota

School Readiness is for:

• Children ages 3 to Kindergarten entrance
• Any family – there are no income or risk factor guidelines. There is a small fee for
  classes based on a sliding fee scale.
• Learning:
  1. problem solving and social skills
  2. literacy development
  3. pre-writing skills
  4. large motor skills
  5. concepts, colors, counting, and numbers

Families can choose from a menu of:

1. blended preschool in the school system
2. half-day to full day programming ranges
3. classes with or without your child – as much involvement as you would like
4. family fun events
5. parent education

Our goal is to collaborate with other early childhood programs so we can coordinate services to meet the individual needs of your child.

Our goal is to work in partnership with families in achieving their hopes and dreams for a bright promising future.

We Believe…

• That all families want the best for their children.
• That parents are the primary protectors, nurtures and educators of their children.
• That all children have the right to a quality education.
• That all people should have the resources they need to thrive.
• That Head Start services must support parents as well as children.

Head Start Is…

• State and federally funded
• FREE to all families (income guidelines apply)
• Family focused
• Parent driven
• Comprehensive (looks at all aspects of the family and child)

We provide a variety of program options in Itasca and Koochiching Counties.

For Children:

• Child development/School Readiness: Ages 3-5

Infant & Toddler services

• Strong literacy focus
• Concepts, colors, counting and numbers
• Physical development
• Social-emotional development
• Strong focus on physical, dental & nutritional health
• Healthy meals and snacks
• Services for children with special needs

For Parents/Families:

• Self-sufficiency
• Parent partnerships with goal setting
• Parent education
• Parent involvement in program decision-making
• Wellness activities

Applications accepted year round!
For more information call 218-999-0814

Minnesota North College is committed to meeting the local and regional community needs for high quality professionals working in the field of early childhood for the benefit of all children and families. MNC’s Itasca campus offers multiple program options in Early Childhood Education to meet these needs, and courses can be accessed in person, via Zoom or online.  For those already working in the field of early childhood, work experience can be applied to course requirements.

Experiential learning is a cornerstone of the Early Childhood program at Itasca, and our many community partnerships enhance our student’s learning.  Some organizations we have partnered with include Invest Early, Kootasca Head Start, ISD 318, the Children’s Discovery Museum, Second Harvest Food Bank, Ross Resources, Grace House, the Grand Rapids Area Library & Project Read.  

We are also fortunate to have two early childhood classrooms right on campus in collaboration with Invest Early & ISD 318 Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).  

Child Development Certificate (9 credits)

The Child Development Certificate is designed to meet the training requirements for the National Child Development Associate (CDA).  Two courses, Child Development & Environments for Learning, along with a first aid course and practicum experience, will prepare students with a strong foundation for working with young children in the community.  The Child Development Certificate is available in-person and online to area high school students, traditional students, and those working in the field of early childhood.

Child Development Diploma (31 credits)

Designed to provide practitioners with a core foundation essential to becoming a highly qualified early childhood professional in a variety of early years settings, this diploma provides critical components necessary to thrive in this high demand field. Graduates possess a broad understanding of the foundation of early childhood, special education, diversity of learners and the role and application of observation and assessment. Fostering professional, culturally relevant partnerships with parents and team members is emphasized. In addition, graduates can apply this diploma toward the requirements in the Early Childhood AS degree.

Associate of Science (AS) in Early Childhood Education Degree (Transfer Pathway) (60 credits)

An Associate of Science (AS) degree earned at Itasca will provide students with the solid foundation of knowledge and skills needed to excel in a career in Early Childhood.  In addition to general education courses, students engage in courses in child development, classroom management, health & nutrition, working diverse children and families, special education, creative activities and more (see link here).  In some settings, the AS degree alone will qualify individuals to serve children as a lead classroom teacher for children ages birth-PreK.

The Associate of Science (AS) degree is also transferable to any Minnesota State University by preparing students for the completion of a 4-year Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  Currently, Minnesota offers a teacher licensure in Early Childhood, which includes the qualifications to teach children birth-3rd grade.  .

Financial Assistance

Continuing your education is likely more affordable than you think!  Because Early Childhood is such an in-demand career field, there are many opportunities for financial support as you work toward your professional goals.  Here are just a few; contact Minnesota North for more!

Minnesota North Financial Aid

T.E.A.C.H. Grant

Minnesota North Growth Grant: 2024-2025 (includes stipends & coaching for those working toward the CDA).

Contact Information

To ask questions about the program or to visit campus, contact Cody Geisler, Early Childhood Faculty & Program Director at 218-322-2352 or cody.geisler@minnesotanorth.edu.

To register for courses, start here!

Adult Basic Education (ABE)

Blandin Foundation