1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to education; establishing the Help Me Grow program;proposing coding 
1.3 	for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 124D.
1.4 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.5 	Section 1. [124D.176] HELP ME GROW PROGRAM.
1.6 		Subdivision 1.Purpose. The purpose of this section is to develop and implement a 
1.7 	comprehensive and collaborative access, information, referral, and follow-up system for 
1.8 	pregnant and parenting families with children from birth to age 8.
1.9 		Subd. 2.Establishment and administration. The commissioner of education shall 
1.10 	provide funding and shall work cooperatively through interagency agreements with the 
1.11 	commissioners of human services and health to implement this section.
1.12 		Subd. 3.Duties. (a) The Help Me Grow program shall facilitate collaboration across 
1.13 	sectors, including child health, early learning and education, and family supports by:
1.14 	(1) providing child health care provider outreach to support early detection, intervention, 
1.15 	and knowledge about local resources;
1.16 	(2) identifying and providing access to detection tools used to identify young children 
1.17 	at risk for developmental and behavioral problems; and
1.18 	(3) linking children and families to appropriate community-based services, including 
1.19 	those that promote family economic stability.
1.20 	(b) The Help Me Grow program shall provide community outreach that includes support 
1.21 	for, and participation in, the Help Me Grow program, including disseminating information 
2.1 	on the program and compiling and maintaining a resource directory that includes but is not 
2.2 	limited to:
2.3 	(1) primary and specialty medical care providers;
2.4 	(2) early childhood education and child care programs;
2.5 	(3) developmental disabilities assessment and intervention programs;
2.6 	(4) mental health services;
2.7 	(5) family and social support programs;
2.8 	(6) child advocacy and legal services;
2.9 	(7) public health services and resources; and
2.10 	(8) other appropriate early childhood information.
2.11 	(c) The Help Me Grow program shall develop a centralized access point for parents and 
2.12 	professionals to obtain information, resources, and other support services.
2.13 	(d) The Help Me Grow program shall collect data to increase understanding of all aspects 
2.14 	of the current and ongoing system under this section, including identification of gaps in 
2.15 	service, barriers to finding and receiving appropriate service, and lack of resources.
2.16 		Subd. 4.Review. The Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services must 
2.17 	annually review the following:
2.18 	(1) outcomes achieved by the Help Me Grow program;
2.19 	(2) alignment with overall early childhood goals and objectives; and
2.20 	(3) impacts on young children.