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Child Care & Parenting Resources

There are many local and statewide resources to help parenting students and their families.  You don't need to navigate being a parent and being a student alone. Please know that this is not an exhaustive list.

 

Winona Resources

  • Head Start, Winona: A preschool program offered September-May through Semcac for children ages 3-5. Early Head Start for toddlers is offered year-round. 
  • Baby Connections: Tools, information and support you need to enjoy parenting in your baby's first year. Offered Free for all parents in the Winona Public Schools district. 
  • Birthright of Winona: Volunteer-based clinic helping women who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant to make a realistic plan for their future. 
  • Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE): Community education program for all families and children birth through kindergarten. They offer a comfortable, informal parent discussion group, and a fun place to meet, learn, and play with other parents and children.
  • Healthy Families Home Visiting: Family & Children's Center offers free, in-home support and education on how to become the best parent you can be. 
  • Grace Place Community Support Services: Free support services to qualified households (priority given to individuals with children) including diapers, toiletries, household items, clothing/shoes, etc. They also have an emergency grant application for assistance with expenses. 
  • Winona Volunteer Services: In addition to the food shelf and clothes shop, they offer assistance to qualified individuals for emergency clothing and specialty shoes, diapers and formula, referrals to basic needs agencies and services, shelter for transient or homeless individuals, rent assistance and transportation.  

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Red Wing Resources 

  • Head Start, Red Wing: Head Start is a quality child development program of Three Rivers Community Action, Inc. for preschool children age 3-4 and their families. There is no cost to families for this program.    
  • Colville Family Center: Early childhood education program including parent/child classes, child-only preschool, open gym nights, and early childhood screening. 
  • Goodhue County Education District Early Childhood Programs: A variety of early childhood programs including birth to 3 early intervention program, learning readiness home visits, early childhood family education programs, early childhood special education, preschool, and early childhood screenings. 
  • HOPE Coalition Kids Count Program: Advocacy services to youth and non-offending caregivers who have witnessed or experienced abuse who reside in Goodhue County. 
  • Rise Up Red Wing: They serve youth and families through youth-focused services and parent and family engagement, and foster shared action among community partners committed to supporting youth. 
  • Hispanic Outreach-Youth & Family Education Program: Students in grades 5-12 are invited to participate and are provided academic support, career exploration, and an opportunity to build leadership skills with a Hispanic community service project. Family caregivers need to be more intensely engaged and included in the educational process. 

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Minnesota Resources

  • Parent Aware: Free tools and resources to help families find the quality childcare and early education programs their children need to succeed in school and life.
  • Minnesota Licensed Childcare Providers: Search by your county and then Certified Child Care Center, Child Care Center, or Family Child Care. 
  • Help Me Connect: A navigator connecting expectant families, families with young children (birth - 8 years old) and those working with families to services in their local communities that support healthy child development and family well-being.  
  • Minnesota Family Planning Program (MFPP): Free coverage for qualified applicants for family planning services (including related supplies) and transportation services to and from providers of family planning services. Short-term and full-year coverage available. 
  • Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program: A nutrition and breastfeeding program that helps eligible women, infants, and children with nutrition education, and counseling, nutritious foods, and referrals to health and other social services. 
  • Families First of Minnesota: A network of programs and services for finding child care, early childhood education, and more. 
  • Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota: Catholic Charities provides a variety of resources under their Child and Family Services program including free baby items, financial assistance for qualified mothers and children, parenting education, and more. 
  • United Way 211: A statewide basic needs resource hub that provides students from Minnesota access to basic needs resources and support available on campus and in the community via phone, text, or chat 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Text MNHELP to 898-211 (TXT211) or call 211 (toll free at 1-800-543-7709).

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Financial Assistance for Child Care & Parenting

  • Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): CCAP is a county program that helps families with low incomes pay for child care while they go to work or attend school. 
  • Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): CCAP is a county program that helps families with low incomes pay for child care while they go to work or attend school.   
  • Minnesota Post-Secondary Child Care Grant The Financial Aid office at Southeast can help you with applying for this grant, which helps low-income students who have young children pay for child care while the student attends classes. See Paying for College > Grants
  • Families First of Minnesota Early Learning Scholarships: Scholarships up to $15,000 for a 12-month period to help pay for high-quality child care or early education program to help get your child ready for school. Must be used at a Parent Aware-Rated Program.
  • Onward & Upward: A pathway for single parents and pregnant women in completing their education and achieving family financial stability and self-sufficiency. They aim to provide comprehensive wraparound social and financial support including monthly scholarships up to $5,000 and emergency financial assistance to overcome barriers to graduation. Offered through Catholic Charities of Southern Minnesota. Open only to those living in the Rochester or Mankato areas and enrolled in a one- or two-year healthcare or dental care degree.
  • Child Support Services: Helps parents establish a financial partnership so children receive the financial, medical and child care support they deserve. 

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