Join us for the opening session where we will welcome attendees, introduce the vision and themes for this event, share the event acknowledgments and group agreements, provide an overview of More Resilient Minnesota and the Tribal NEAR and Community Wisdom Project, and orient attendees to the upcoming sessions, webpage, and join links for the event. 

Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 834 8159 0662 — Passcode: 984621

Choose one session below:

• The Follow Along Program – Community Connectors Redesign Project: Funds from the Healthy Beginnings, Healthy Families Act are supporting the development of culturally and linguistically inclusive resources and strategies for families to enroll and participate in the Follow Along Program. The Follow Along Program is a free service that supports families with babies and young children as they grow and learn and with legislative funds has contracted with eight community connector organizations across Minnesota through June 2025. Staff at these organizations offer culturally and linguistically inclusive outreach and navigation support to families as they enroll and engage in the program. In 2024, the program reached approximately 500 new children. Ongoing community of learning meetings with connectors and local public health providers are offering valuable insights, which will inform the creation of a strategy and resource guide as part of the Follow Along program redesign.   Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 851 6505 0289 — Passcode: 1234
• First Steps in Building Strong Foundations: Family Home Visiting Programming Supporting Attachment, Development, and Milestones in Pregnancy and Parenting: In this session, First Steps collaborative managers will explore the critical role family home visiting programs have in supporting parents, caregivers, and families to enhance parent-child attachment and development prenatally through early childhood stages. Attendees will become familiar with how family home visiting can strengthen protective factors, support positive transitions to parenting, help parents learn skills for building healthy relationships and empower parents to mobilize local resources. In addition, we will highlight the collaborative strengthen of our region, how working across county lines enhances services, community partnerships, and eased access to resources for families.   Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 864 0153 8166 — Passcode: 364287
• The Power of Race Consciousness in Early Childhood: This workshop explores the importance of race consciousness and decentering whiteness in early childhood settings. Participants will examine how racial identity develops in children and the prevalence of racist notions in early childhood. Using local data, we will discuss the impact of white supremacy in Minnesota and its influence on young learners. Participants will learn to recognize white supremacy culture in educational environments and explore strategies to dismantle it through cultural shifts, transparent policies, inclusive curriculum frameworks, and courageous conversations. We will highlight efficacy and challenges by sharing the action research of administrators and educators in Minnesota. This workshop will equip attendees with the knowledge and tools to foster racial equity and meaningful conversations with educators, families, and children. By cultivating awareness, collaboration, risk-taking, and curiosity, we can create learning environments free from prejudicial beliefs and empower children to have a positive sense of self and champion equity.   Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 832 8169 6525 — Passcode: 391803

Choose one session below:

• 11 AM - 12:15PM Models that Deliver American Indian Culturally Specific Early Childhood Programs: This panel will share more about three different organizations that incorporate culturally-specific early childhood programs; Indigenous Montessori, Headstart & Family Spirit Home Visiting. Learn from a panel of Indigenous women doing the work to develop, deliver and promote Native-led and culturally-specific early childhood programs. This panel will share more about three different organizations that incorporate culturally-specific early childhood programs; St. Paul Montessori American Indian Childcare Center, Duluth Head Start and the Oshki-inwewin Program Headstart, and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe Family Spirit Program.   Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 821 5873 1123 — Passcode: 213195
• Exploring the Trauma-Informed Care Section of the Knowledge and Competency Framework and its Impact on Executive Functioning: Gain insights into the components of Trauma Informed Care (TIC), its relevance in early childhood education, and its profound impact on executive functioning. Explore practical strategies for fostering executive function skills and nurturing positive relationships among young children within educational settings, especially for those that have experienced traumatic events or experiences.   Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 834 5243 4122 — Passcode: 1234
• Engaging Fathers in Neuro-Nurturing: Mobilizing the Village to Launch Lifelong Mental Wellbeing: The life of every child is deeply impacted by their early brain development.  Many behavioral and mental health challenges faced by children could be prevented or significantly reduced with improved Neuro-Nurturing when the baby is in the womb and during their first few months and years.  This session presents an integrated set of strategies to engage fathers as champions and partners for Neuro-Nurturing the developing brains of their babies. The expertise of an MD/researcher, a Community Health Worker/Doula Dad trainer, and a consultant who specializes in population health strategy implementation is blended together in a session that combines a rich set of ingredients into practical and scalable recipes to help children flourish. Mobilizing fathers to be strong partners in their baby’s neurodevelopment is best done as a community-wide effort. Viewers of this presentation will learn how to support fathers in playing active roles in Neuro-Nurturing that will launch their babies on trajectories of lifelong well-being.   Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 848 9812 0736 — Passcode: 314774
• Development, Adversity and Minnesota’s Efforts to Address Early Childhood Mental Health and Wellness: This session will explain how adversity impacts child development and will also describe Minnesota’s Early Childhood Mental Health System of Care from clinical and preventative perspectives.   Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 818 3565 9421 — Passcode: 293502

The foundation of a thriving society begins with the wellbeing of its youngest members. This keynote explores the intersection of NEAR Science (Neuroscience, Epigenetics, Adverse Childhood Experiences, and Resilience), Sustainable Wellness, and the critical importance of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH). Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how early experiences shape lifelong health, behavior, and success. This session will emphasize the collective responsibility we all share in fostering environments that promote resilience, healing, and sustainable mental wellness for children. 

Through compelling research, real-world examples, and a call to action, participants will leave equipped with strategies to support children and families, advocate for policy changes, and implement sustainable practices that build a healthier, more equitable society for future generations. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Participants will understand how neuroscience, epigenetics, adverse experiences, and resilience (NEAR Science) shape child development and long-term health outcomes. 
• Participants will recognize the foundational role of infant and early childhood mental health (IECMH) in emotional regulation, social connections, and academic success. 
• Participants will explore sustainable wellness practices and systems that promote long-term mental and emotional health for children, families, and communities. 
• Participants will connect NEAR Science to real-world applications in community programs, healthcare, education, and social services. 
• Participants will commit to actionable steps in policy, practice, and advocacy to create a culture of wellbeing for all children.

Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 848 5719 1705 — Passcode: 299326

Join Assistant Commissioner Dianne Haulcy (Department of Children, Youth and Families & Host of Early Risers Podcast) for a call-to-action session.

Same Zoom Link as Keynote: Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 848 5719 1705 — Passcode: 299326

Join us for the closing session where we will share the FamilyWise Family Wellbeing Index, share a participant photo slideshow and survey, create a word cloud, and offer closing words. 

Same Zoom Link as Keynote: Zoom Link — Meeting ID: 848 5719 1705 — Passcode: 299326