Help Me Grow
Why is Help Me Grow Important?
The early childhood years are critical ones; children begin to notice the world, explore, relate to others, and begin to speak. Most basic language, physical and social skills are learned before two years of age.
Even though each child develops at his/her own pace, your child should be able to do the same things other children the same age are doing. However, this may not be true if your child was born premature with low birth weight or has special needs.
For these children who may not be demonstrating skills of their age and live in the following school districts, New Ulm, Sleepy Eye, Madelia, St. James, Butterfield, GFW, Sibley East, are referred to their county Help Me Grow.
For those children who are eligible to receive early intervention, children can receive services in their home, child care setting, or school. These services are free regardless of income or immigrant status.
Who Should Be Referred?
Children from birth to five years of age:
1. With possible developmental delays in communication, motor, cognitive, social/emotional, or adaptive areas.
2. With a medical condition or syndrome that may hinder normal development (for example, Down Syndrome, hearing or vision impairments, cerebral palsy, fetal alcohol syndrome, prenatal drug exposure, spina bifida, hydrocephaly, microcephaly, muscle control disorders, bleeding in the brain and chronic lung disease).
3. With an increased risk of developmental delays due to multiple biological or environmental risk factors, such as low birth weight, prematurity, failure to thrive, inadequate health care, family instability or low income, disturbed parent-child interactions, family isolation or lack of support.
Who Can Make A Referral?
Anyone who has a concern regarding a child’s development. Referrals could be made by a doctor, child care provider, parent, Early Childhood Family Education Teacher, Social Worker, Public Health Nurse and many more professions.
How to Make A Referral?
Are you a parent, professional, friend or family member and have concerns regarding a child’s development and want to make a referral to Help Me Grow?
You can make a referral in three ways:
1. Website: http://helpmegrowmn.org/HMG/Refer/index.html
2. Written form: Help Me Grow Referral Form
If you chose the paper form, please print out and either fax to 507-359-1161 with attention Kristen or mail to:
River Bend Education District
1315 S. Broadway St.
New Ulm, MN 56073
3. Phone: (MN Help Me Grow) 1-866-693-GROW (4769) or (River Bend) 507-359-8719
***Within a week of the referral to Help Me Grow, an educator from the school district will contact the parents to gather information (concerns, background information, etc.).
