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Parent & Family Education

Early Childhood Family Education & School Readiness:

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) classes will continue into the spring.  Some programs are beginning School Readiness Registration for the 2011-2012 school year.  Please contact your local program for more information on ways you can get involved!

Eveleth-Gilbert:  Carolyn Peterson 744-7742 or Minette Richards 744-7717

Mountain Iron-Buhl:  Jodie Phaneuf 735-8271, ext. 2113

Virginia: Judy Schink  742-3805

Advocacy Resources

Visit these sites to learn about the children’s issues and the people working to address them. Perhaps join their efforts to lend a hand and build support for Putting Kids First at the local level.

Early Childhood

Child Care WORKS - Brings together parents, caregivers and advocates across Minnesota to improve child care services for all families.

iCAN (Interfaith Children’s Advocacy Network) - Organizing people of faith in Minnesota to advance socially just legislation in the areas of children’s health care, child care and early education, and a healthy home environment.

Minnesota Early Childhood Organizations (Directory) - Parents United for Public Schools.

Minnesota Early Childhood Caucus - Bipartisan caucus of Minnesota Legislators collaborating to support Early Childhood.

Ready 4K - Working to bring about comprehensive policy change on behalf of Minnesota’s children, their parents and their caretakers.

Ready for School?

Check out these K-12 Resources:

Minnesota PTA - A powerful voice for all children. A relevant resource for parents. A strong advocate for public education.

Parents United for Public Schools - Minnesota parents and citizens committed to Minnesota’s leadership in quality public education.

Roles & Responsibilities of Parents - How do we fit in? Saint Paul NEAT.

Children’s Health and Special Education

Arc in Minnesota - Advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota - Ensuring every child a Healthy Start, a Head Start, a Fair Start, a Safe Start, and a Moral Start in life and successful passage to adulthood with the help of caring families and communities.

PACER (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) - Expands opportunities and enhances the quality of life of children and young adults with disabilities and their families.

Contacting Us

Welcome to Quad Cities Early Childhood Coalition. If you have questions or comments for us you can contact:

Judy Schink, Coordinator, 218-742-3805 or by email at jschink@vmps.org

Dawn Heisel, Virginia Public Library Children’s Librarian,  218-748-7525 or by email at dawn@arrowhead.lib.mn.us

Jodie Phaneuf, ECFE & School Readiness Coordinator, Mountain Iron-Buhl Schools, 735-8271, x 2113 or by email at jphaneuf@mib.k12.mn.us

ECFE & School Readiness Coordinator, Eveleth-Gilbert Schools, 744-7742

Jerry Crittenden, AEOA Head Start, 749-2912 x252, or by email at jcrittenden@aeoa.org

Resource Directory

EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS

Arrowhead Child Care Resource & Referral 1-800-450-0450
Arrowhead Head Start
Main Office	1-800-662-5711 ext. 251
	218-749-2912 ext. 251
Babbit	218-827-3215
Chisholm	218-254-2275 or 218-254-9805
Ely	218-365-3284
Eveleth-Gilbert 1	218-744-2211 ext. 5012
Eveleth-Gilbert 2	218-744-2211 ext. 5007
Hibbing	1-2-3-4 218-263-4106 or 262-1630
Hibbing Early Head Start	218-262-1529
Mesabi East	218-638-1210
Mt. Iron-Buhl	218-749-6306
Quad City Early Head Start	218-744-2211 ext. 5014
Virginia 1	218-742-3927
Virginia 2	218-742-3928
Virginia 3	218-742-3940
Virginia Infant Center	218-742-3966
Virginia Toddler Center	218-742-3965

Bois Forte Head Start
Vermilion	218-753-2024
Nett Lake	218-757-3265

Early Childhood Family Education/School Readiness
Chisholm	218-254-1438
Ely	218-365-6166 ext. 228
Eveleth-Gilbert	218-744-7742
Hibbing	218-262-6205
Mesabi East	218-229-3321 ext. 4150
Mt. Iron-Buhl	218-735-8271 ext. 2113
St. Louis County Schools	218-749-8130
AlBrook	218-729-8322
Babbitt-Embarrass	218-827-3101
Cherry	218-258-8991
Cook	218-666-5221
Cotton	218-482-3232
Orr	218-757-3225
Tower-Soudan	218-753-4040
Virginia	218-742-3805

Early Childhood Special Education - “CHILDLINK”
Hibbing	218-262-1783
Northland Cooperative	218-741-5284, 1-800-450-4772

Nursery Schools/Day Care Centers

Chisholm
Kids ABC Learning Center	218-254-5886
Cook
Little Beginnings	218-666-5063
Eveleth
Chicagami Children’s Center	218-744-2405
Hibbing
Community Edventure	218-262-5375
Hibbing Catholic School/Preschool/Kindergarten/& Kids Club	218-262-3639
Hibbing Parents’ Nursery School & Day Care Center	218-263-7242
Kiddy Karousel Nursery & Day Care Center	218-263-7450
Ready, Set Go! Preschool	218-262-6205
Open Arms of Grace Preschool & Child Care	218-263-3955
Victory Christian Academy Kings Kid’s Nursery School	218-262-6550
Mt. Iron YMCA Preschool	218-749-8020
Virginia
Apple Tree Learning Center	218-741-7441
Chicagami Too	218-741-0235
Noah’s Nook Preschool	218-741-6811
Y-Wee Care	218-749-7777
Quad City Kids DayCare	218-741-7026

Parks & Recreation

For more information about programs for the Parks & Recreation Department, consult your local community phone directory under the city name

Public Libraries

Arrowhead Library System	218-741-3840
Aurora	218-229-2021
Babbitt	218-827-3345
Buhl	218-258-3391
Chisholm	218-254-7913
Cook	218-666-2210
Ely	218-365-5140
Eveleth	218-744-7499
Gilbert	218-748-2230
Hibbing	218-262-1038
Mt. Iron	218-735-8625
Virginia	218-748-7526
Hoyt Lakes	218-225-2412

HEALTH & SAFETY

Emergency Listings
911
Child Abuse	218-262-6000
	218-749-7128
Poison Control	1-800-222-1222
Suicide Prevention	218-749-2881
	1-800-450-2273 (24 hour answering)
Car Seat Safety
Pediatric Community Health	218-749-9425
Fairview Medical Center	218-262-4881
Childcare Resource & Referral	1-800-450-0450

Clinics

Aurora
Aurora Clinic	218-229-3311
Babbit
Babbitt Clinic	218-827-2176
Chisholm
Chisholm Medical Clinic	218-254-7476
Adams Clinic - Chisholm	218-254-3391
Fairview Mesaba	218-254-3316
Cook
Area Health Services	218-666-5941
Ely
Ely Clinic	218-365-7900
Eveleth
Iron Range Clinic	218-744-3472
Hibbing
Adams Clinic - Hibbing	218-262-3425
Fairview Mesaba Clinic	218-262-3441
Family Medical Center	218-362-7100
Mt. Iron
Fairview Mesaba	218-741-2250
Tower
Bois Forte-Vermillion Clinic	218-753-2182
Virginia
Virginia Clinic	218-741-0150
Laurentian Medical Clinic	218-748-7480

Health Care Assistance

Helping Hand Pregnancy Center	1-800-395-4357
Insurance
1st Plan Blue	1-800-635-4159
Medica	1-800-590-2257
U Care	1-612-676-3200, 1-800-203-7225
Minnesota Care	1-800-450-9777
Planned Parenthood of MN	1-888-251-8192, 218-741-8192
Pregnancy Life Care Center	218-262-5768

St. Louis County Health Dept.
Ely	218-365-8220
Hibbing	218-262-6000
Virginia	218-749-0600
St. Louis County Social Services
Ely	218-365-8210
Hibbing	218-262-6000
Virginia	218-749-7128

Health Care: Low Cost Providers in St. Louis County

Four Rivers Community Health Center

601 Hwy. 73

Floodwood, MN 55736

(218) 476‑2969

Lake Superior Community Health Center

4325 Grand Ave.

Duluth, MN 55807

(218) 722‑1497

Scenic Rivers Health Services

126 W. 7th Ave.

Floodwood, MN 55736

(218) 473‑2221

Scenic Rivers Health Services

20 S. 5th St. E.

Cook, MN 55723

(218) 666‑5941

Womens Health Center of Duluth PA

32 E. 1st St., #300

Duluth, MN 55802

(218) 727‑3352

Hospitals

Aurora
White Community Hospital	218-229-2211
Cook
Cook Hospital	218-666-5945
Ely
Ely Bloomenson Hospital	218-365-3271
Hibbing
Fairview University Medical Center	218-262-4881
Virginia
Virginia Regional Medical Center	218-741-3340

Home Health Care

Aurora
Healthline HomeCare	218-229-2915
Cook
Fairview Range Regional Health Services	219-666-5061
Ely
Spectrum Community Health Inc.	218-365-0045
Hibbing
Center for Independent Living	218-262-6675
Extended Family Home Care	218-263-4177, 218-263-7477
Fairview Healthline	218-262-6982
Homecare Specialists	218-262-5887
North Star Hospice	218-262-6982
Virginia
Healthstar	218-749-9410
Spectrum Community Health, Inc.	218-741-3013

NUTRITION

Food Shelves
Aurora	218-229-3585, 218-229-3359
Chisholm	218-254-7308
Hibbing	218-262-1729
Meadowlands	218-427-2525
Nett Lake	218-757-3504, 1-800-221-8129
Quad City (Eveleth, Gilbert, Mt.Iron, Virginia)	218-741-1371
Tower	218-753-3202

MN Extension Service

218-749-7100

Salvation Army
Hibbing	218-263-5096
Virginia	218-741-1889

St. Louis County Health Dept.-WIC
Ely	218-365-8220
Hibbing	218-262-6000
Virginia	218-749-0604
St. Louis County Health Dept. - MAC
Mothers & Children Program	218-727-5653 ext.12
	218-741-1889

MENTAL HEALTH

ADAPT Programs (School Based Mental Health) Range Mental Health Center
AlBrook	218-729-8322 ext. 3143
Babbitt-Embarrass	218-827-3101
Cherry	218-258-8991
Chisholm	218-254-2172
Cook	218-666-5221 ext.3320
Cotton	218-482-3232
Ely	218-365-6166 ext.237
Eveleth	218-744-2211 ext.2204
Hibbing	218-969-6294 or 218-969-6290
Mesabi East	218-229-3321 ext.4109
Mt. Iron-Buhl	218-741-4809
Nett Lake	218-757-3102
Orr	218-757-3225
Tower-Soudan	218-753-4040
Virginia	218-749-5437 ext. 4144
Early Childhood	218-969-6290 or 218-969-6294
Arrowhead Center, Inc.	218-749-2877
Development & Behavior Clinic	1-218-755-4172
	1-800-728-5420
Range Mental Health Center
Ely	218-365-5019
Hibbing	218-263-9237
Virginia	218-749-2881 (available 24 hours)
Private Psychologists
Please see the listing in your local phone directory

FAMILY/PARENT EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Arrowhead Child Care Resource & Referral	1-800-450-0450
AEOA ROCK (Raising Our Children’s Kids)	218-749-2912
	1-800-662 5711
Early Childhood Family Education/School Readiness
Chisholm	218-254-1438
Ely	218-365-6166 ext. 228
Eveleth-Gilbert	218-744-7742
Hibbing	218-262-6205
Mesabi East	218-229-3321 ext. 4150
Mt. Iron-Buhl	218-735-8271 ext. 2113
St. Louis County Schools	218-749-8130
AlBrook	218-729-8322
Babbitt-Embarrass	218-827-3101
Cherry	218-258-8991
Cook	218-666-5221
Cotton	218-482-3232
Orr	218-757-3225
Tower-Soudan	218-753-4040
Virginia	218-742-3805

Adult Education

AEOA Adult Basic Ed.	218-749-4352
	218-749-4352
	1-800-662-5711
Community Colleges
Ely	218-365-7200
	1-800-657-3608
Eveleth	218-741-3095
Hibbing	218-262-7200
	1-800-224-4HCC
Virginia	218-741-3095
	1-800-657-3860
Community Ed. Office
Chisholm	218-254-1431
Eveleth-Gilbert	218-744-2211 ext. 1917
Hibbing	218-262-0419
MIB	218-735-8271 ext.1003
Virginia	218-742-3990
Hibbing High School
(Diploma Program)	218-262-0420
Literacy Action Center	218-263-4563
Northland Learning Center	218-741-9201

Employment & Adult Training

AEOA
Hibbing	218-262-6796
Virginia	218-749-2912, 1-800-662-5711
NE MN Office of Job Training
Hibbing	218-262-6777
Virginia	218-748-2200, 1-800-325-5332
Family Investment Center
Adult Basic Education Career Development G.E.D. Partners in Learning (Family Literacy) Young Parent Program	218-741-5485 218-262-5082
Fairview Medical Center (1st Steps to Parenting)	218-262-4881
Mesabi Family Literacy Project	218-749-4352
	1-800-662-5711 ext. 400

FINANCIAL/LEGAL

Attorneys
Please consult your local phone directory
Birth Certificates
Contact the local City Hall for more information	218-726-2559
Cooperative Solution Mediation	1-218-327-4908
Lawyer Referral Services	1-800-292-4152
Legal Aid of NE MN
Duluth	218-726-4800
	1-800-622-7266
Iron Range	218-749-3270
	1-800-886-3270
Mediation Works North	1-800-210-7945
	218-263-7307
Salvation Army
Hibbing	218-263-5096
Virginia	218-741-1889
Social Security Administration	218-263-4668
	1-800-772-1213
St. Louis County Court House
Hibbing	218-262-0105
Virginia	218-749-7106
St. Louis County Social Services
Hibbing	218-262-6000
Virginia	218-749-7128
	1-800-450-9777

SUPPORT SERVICES

Advocates for Family Peace	1-800-909-8336
AEOA Housing, Weatherization, Home Ownership, Energy Assistance	1-800-662-5711
ROCK (Raising Our Children’s Kids)	749-2912 ex:254
Foster Grandparent program	749-2912 ex:228
Child Care Resource & Referral	1-800-450-0450
Consumer Product Hotline	1-800-638-2772
Career Development, “Getting Ready for Work”, Clothes Closet, Project Warmth
Grief Support
East Range Care Partners	218-744-3641
	218-749-2089
“You Never Know” Bereavement Services	218-749-2089
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Bois Forte	218-757-3253
Chisholm	218-254-2656
Cook	218-666-2533
Ely	218-365-3900
Eveleth	218-744-1010
Gilbert	218-741-0398
Hibbing	218-263-3661
Virginia	218-741-2610
Information & Referral	1-800-543-7709 or 211
MN Extension Office	218-749-7100
Range Transitional Housing
Hibbing	218-263-9250
Virginia	218-741-2610 ext. 214
Range Women’s Advocates	218-254-3377
	218-749-5054
Respite
Range Respite	218-741-5743
Lutheran Social Services	218-741-3343
St. Louis County Soc. Ser.	218-262-6000
	218-747-7128
Sexual Assualt Program	218-749-4725
St. Louis County Health Dept.
Toll Free	1-800-450-9777
Hibbing	218-262-6000
Virginia	218-749-0600
Ely	218-365-8220
Follow Along Program, Northern Superior Babies, Home Visits, C&TC, Immunizations, WIC, MAC
St. Louis County Social Services
Virginia	218-749-7128
Hibbing	218-262-6000
Adult/Child Protection, Children’s Mental Health, Medical Assistance, Intensive Family Base, Food Stamps, Transportation
Transportation
Arrowhead Transit	1-800-862-0175 or 741-0724
C & M Taxi	218-749-4000
Dial-a Ride	218-741-1551
Heartland Express	218-263-7115
Hibbing Taxi	218-263-5065
Iron Range Cab Co. Inc	218-742-2841
Custom Cab Co.	218-749-4000
Ely Cab	218-365-7500
Yellow Cab of Ely	218-365-6006

About Early Childhood

The Quad Cities Early Childhood Coalition strive to fulfill the following missions and goals:

Nurturing Community Spirit

Our Vision:
A child-centered culture thrives in our communities. In an atmosphere where all adults put kids first, our youngest children are nurtured through positive male and female role models, intergenerational experiences, and acceptance of diversity. A collective sense of responsibility for our children is lived out through generous financial and volunteer contributions.
Our Goal:
The Quad Cities Early Childhood Coalition will conduct an assessment to determine our community’s strengths and areas of opportunity. Based on these observations, collaboratives will be developed to foster a well-balanced community in which our children can thrive.

Safe and Healthy Environment

Vision:
Our communities value children’s health and well-being by providing them with safe, healthy and enriching environments so they may live, learn, grow and play.

Goal:
We will inventory environmental models that promote safety and health within our community. We will create partnerships within the community resulting in safe and healthy environments for children.

Universal Access

Vision:
Every Child has access to quality early care and learning experiences during the first six years of life. Our early childhood community Collaborates to make quality training opportunities available locally for parents and professionals to increase their skills.
Goals:
We will work to ensure consistency in quality and access to early care and education while preserving choices for families. As a result, all children will be fully prepared to learn.

Kids First Policies

Vision:
People in decision-making positions recognize the importance of the early years and advocate for policies that truly put the well being of our youngest citizens first. Adequate financial resources are available to support policies and programs that benefit young children.
Goals:
We will define Kids First Policies and educate community members and decision-makers about these policies. We will advocate for support and work toward implementing these policies in the Quad Cities Communities. The Quad Cities Area will be known as a caring community that puts Kids First!

Families Are Supported

Vision:
All community members who raise children have access to support in order to meet basic needs, create a peaceful, loving home and juggle the responsibilities of modern life. Service providers communicate and share resources to provide whole-family support.
Goal:
We will assist in updating and distributing community resource guides to families and agencies. The Coalition will develop methods of dissemination and increase participant usage at all age levels. The Quad Cities Communities will provide optimum opportunities for fully supported individuals and families.

Parent Resources

Breastfeeding Support

Gain support, encouragement, information & fabulous socialization for pregnant & breast feeding moms.  The meetings are sponsored by Local La Leche League (LLL) & Nursing Mom’s Groups.

Virginia: (Nursing Network) Meetings are held every 4th Wednesday @ 10 am at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (Look for the bright red door) 231 3rd St. So.  For more info or if you have questions please call Briita (218) 290-0496 or brittan@gmail.com

Hibbing: Meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 11:30 am at the First Lutheran Church (corner of 22nd St. & 3rd Ave. E.).  For questions or more info, call Angela (218) 940-7676 or atschweiby@yahoo.com

Ely: (LLL) Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6 pm.  Please call for locaion.  Brianna (218) 365-0869 elismom8@yahoo.com

Grand Rapids: (LLL) Meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 10:30 am at the Itasca Resource Center located at 1209 SE 2nd Avenue (off Pokegama Avenue behind UBC).  Questions?  Call Jenni (218) 326-6518

She’s One Smart Mom, She’s Got text4baby
Get FREE messages each week on your cell phone to help you through your pregnancy and your baby’s first year. Text BABY to 511411. Text4baby is an educational program of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.

Warmline: A Peer to Peer Support Service
The Warmline is a telephone contact line that provides information, support, encouragement and referrals to consumers of mental health services. We also provide general information on mental health community activities and referrals for family members and the public at large.  Someone to talk to, someone who will listen.  Completely confidential, no caller identification.  Tuesday through Sunday, 4 to 10 p.m.  Call 218-740-3190, 218-740-0011, 1-877-404-3190.  Generously funded by St. Louis County, The Miller Dwan Foundation, The Northland Foundation, and The Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network of Northern Minnesota.

New Publication on Inclusive Early Childhood Education
How can early childhood professionals and families provide quality, inclusive early childhood education for young children with and without disabilities? That’s the question addressed in Impact: Feature Issue on Early Childhood Education and Children with Disabilities, published by the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration.

In this new publication, researchers and practitioners discuss strategies for identifying and providing quality, inclusive programs; staff from inclusive early childhood programs around the country describe their approaches; and parents reflect on their experiences with early childhood education and inclusion for their children. This Impact issue is published online and in print. To receive a free print copy, call the Institute’s Publications Office at 612-624-4512.

How do you know if your child or grandchild can hear you say, “I love you?”
NEW! Minnesota’s newborn hearing screening and Help Me Grow: Infant and Toddler Intervention video (30-seconds) is available on YouTube.

Minnesota’s child development and parenting information available on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube
Because more and more people are receiving information from social media these days, the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) recently joined the social media movement by establishing a Facebook page and a Twitter account.

They are using these tools to complement their other communication efforts such as the state of Minnesota Parents Know website, periodic listserv distribution and the regular Early Learning Services information on the MDE Web pages. One of the main benefits of Facebook and Twitter is speed – if you are following us on either of these sites, you will hear about Web-based parent tools, videos, resources and announcements.

We encourage everyone interested in child development, early childhood education and parenting topics in Minnesota to become a “fan” of our Facebook page and a “follower” of our Twitter account, as well as a “subscriber” to our YouTube account.

Does Your Child Have Health Insurance?
MN Health Care Programs have free and low-cost health insurance for children and families who qualify.  (Medical Assistance has no monthly premium.  MinnesotaCare has a monthly premium based on household income.)  Income is one factor for qualifying.  For more information, call the Virginia Health Department at 749-0600, call 977-KIDS-NOW tollfree, or visit the state’s website, www.dhs.state.mn.us/healthcare.

New Service Answers Concerns about Your Child’s Development
The Minnesota Department of Education Division of Early Learning Services has a toll-free number that parents, professionals and others can call if they have questions or concerns about a young child’s development or want to refer a child to infant and toddler intervention or preschool special education.

Call 1-866-693-GROW (4769).

The toll-free number is part of a statewide public awareness campaign for Help Me Grow, Minnesota’s infant and toddler intervention and preschool special education for children birth to kindergarten entrance. The number makes it easy to refer a child to a local interagency early intervention committee (IEIC) or school district.

Professional staff will answer questions about child development, provide callers with early childhood resources, and take referral information for Help Me Grow. This service has been available since August 2008 and many parents and medical providers use it on a regular basis.

Source: June 5, 2009 - Learning Matters, Minnesota Department of Education.

Children’s Community Mental Health Services
The ADAPT program  provides community & school based mental health services in 12 school districts within St. Louis County.

• * promotes positive social, emotional behavioral skills
• * reduces negative feelings & behaviors
• * improves skills through experiential education, recreational & art therapy
• * develops anger management skills
• * develops appropriate coping techniques
• * develops independent living skills

For more information contact the Range Mental Health Center Inc. at 741-4714 or 1-800-450-4714.

Northland Special Education Cooperative
The cooperative is comprised of 11 cooperating independent school districts and one private residential school.  The resources available through the Northland Special Education Cooperative are intended to provide staff and parents with information to assist them in planning and programming for students with disabilities.  If you have more questions, contact 741-5284 or 1-800-450-4772.

Downloadable Audio Library Books
Check out the Virginia Public Library website and have the joy of easy access to audio books which can be downloaded to your computer of MP3 player.  Call 748-7525 or 748-7529, or log on for more details.

MInnesota Parents Know
This informative website is a great resource!  Click on MN Parents Know and have access to information on a variety of topics.  Also check out their information about getting your child ready for Kindergarten!

Minnesota Early Childhood Advisory Council
The Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) makes recommendations to the Governor and legislature, including proposed legislation on how to effectively create a high-quality early childhood system in Minnesota in order to improve the educational outcomes of children. The goal of the council is to ensure that all children are school-ready by 2020.

Mesabi Range College
Offers early childhood classes. Many classes are available online. To view an entire course schedule, please check out their website and click on the schedule under EDAS and EDUC.

Virginia WIC Program Schedule
1-800-450-9777, Ext. 7604 or 749-0604
Check for the schedule and information on other Public Health Services!

• — Click to download WIC and Public Health information!
• — Click to download Public Health Home Visiting Information!

Early Literacy Resources from Hennepin County Library

• — Birth to Six - For parents/teachers/caregivers of young children to support children who are getting ready to succeed in school.
• — ELSIE: Early Literacy Storytime Ideas Exchange - Search ELSIE to find books that help children develop the early literacy skills needed for learning success. Lern how to emphasize skills in a fun, interactive story sharing experience.
  

Home

Quad Cities Early Childhood Coalition
Putting Kids First

The Quad Cities Early Childhood Coalition, established in 2006 by the Northland Foundation, works to ensure that all children and families thrive and have access to early care, education and resources. Located in the heart of the Mesabi Iron Range, the Quad Cites Area Early Childhood Coalition represents the communities of Eveleth, Gilbert, Mountain Iron and Virginia and the school districts of Eveleth-Gilbert, Mountain Iron-Buhl, and Virginia.

Teacher Resources

New Publication on Inclusive Early Childhood Education
How can early childhood professionals and families provide quality, inclusive early childhood education for young children with and without disabilities? That’s the question addressed in Impact: Feature Issue on Early Childhood Education and Children with Disabilities, published by the University of Minnesota Institute on Community Integration.

Downloadable Audio Library Books
Check out the Virginia Public Library website and have the joy of easy access to audio books which can be downloaded to your computer or MP3 player.  Call 748-7525 or 748-7529, or log on for more details.

Northland Special Education Cooperative
The resources available through the Northland Special Education Cooperative are intended to provide staff and parents with information to assist them in planning and programming for students with disabilities.  If you have more questions, contact 741-5284 or 1-800-450-4772.

Minnesota Early Childhood Advisory Council
The Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) makes recommendations to the Governor and legislature, including proposed legislation on how to effectively create a high-quality early childhood system in Minnesota in order to improve the educational outcomes of children. The goal of the council is to ensure that all children are school-ready by 2020.

Continuing Education Programs for Educators

Mesabi Range College Online Education Courses

Check out the most recent semester course listings. Course offerings include Hybrud abd F-2-F courses.  Visit www.mr.mnscu.edu or Call: Sue Twaddle at 749-0315.

Educational Assistant Program at Mesabi Range Community & Technical College
The Educational Assistant Associate of Applied Science degree consists of 60 semester credits. This degree prepares graduates for employment as a paraprofessional educator in a Kindergarten-12th grade school district or early childhood program. The curriculum is developed to cover the nine Minnesota Core Competency Areas.

Get Your Masters Degree in Education Locally!
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, in cooperation with the Mesabi Range Community & Technical College offers this program on the Iron Range!  Total cost of the program is around $10,000. 

Parent Education Licensure
UMD is offering coursework and student teaching options for those who are interested in gaining their Minnesota Parent Education license. For those already holding an early childhood degree/license, the additional requirements for parent ed. are minimal. This is a post baccalaureate offering, meaning a degree must already be held by the individual and 3-5 years of experience working with children and families is required. For more information, please contact Kim Riordan.

Center for Early Education and Development (CEED)
The University of Minnesota College of Education and Human Development (CEED) welcomes registrations for online courses.  Continuing education certificates for 24 & 36 hours, approved & issued by the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Minnesota, can be earned by successfully completing course requirements.  Courses are also newly approved for members of the International Childbirth Education Association (ICEA). For more information, please contact Karen Anderson.

Online Course Offerings through the University of Minnesota
Graduate education or continued learning in parent & family education.  Courses offered include:
Introduction to Parent Education, Everyday Experiences of Families,  Family Education Perspectives, Introduction to Parent Education, Parent-Child Interaction, Parent Learning and Development: Implications for Parent Education, Parent Education Curriculum. For more information, call Heather Cline at 612-624-1294 or visit the University of Minnesota’s website.

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