Child Care Aware of Minnesota 

Helps families find the quality child care their children need to grow and we support the professional growth of child care professionals.

Minnesota Department of Human Services 

Works with many partners, including employers and child care providers, to help Minnesota's children get the services they need for their healthy development.

Early Childhood Screening (ECS)

ECS is a screening that is required by law that helps to identify health and developmental needs of young children before they enter kindergarten.

Head Start and Early Head Start are comprehensive child development, health and social service programs for low-income families. 

Student Placement Center

Intake for students not currently enrolled in St. Paul Public Schools, School Choice, Homeschooling, Transcript and Diploma, and Early Childhood Screening information can be found here. Call 651-632-3700 to make an appointment or visit their website

List of Special Education Acronyms (PDF)

Somali Parent Autism Network (SPAN)

Down Syndrome Association of MN

We empower individuals and families, to create community, and to celebrate people with Down syndrome.

NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) 

A non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. 

Center for Inclusive Child Care  (CICC) 

Free relationship-based professional development (RBPD) including support, training, modeling, and resources to child care programs throughout Minnesota. 

Autism Society of Minnesota (AUSM)

The Autism Society of Minnesota is committed to education, advocacy and support designed to enhance the lives of those affected by autism.

MN Department of Health: Children and Youth with Special Health Needs

CYSHN works to achieve public health policies that will benefit children and youth with special health needs and their families throughout Minnesota.

Pacer Center

Pacer is a parent training and information center for families of children and youth with all disabilities from birth to young adults

The Arc Greater Twin Cities (The Arc GTC)

The Arc promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities

Parks and Recreation

Saint Paul Parks and Recreation provides a facilities, amenities, and activities for participants of all ages and abilities. Among these include: recreation centers, Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, CHS Field, several golf courses and aquatic venues, and hundreds of parks and athletic fields, courts, and rinks as well as hundreds of miles of trails and parkways. 

St. Paul Public Libraries

Saint Paul Public Libraries connect people in Saint Paul with the joy of learning through a lifetime. More information on checking out items from SPPL.

Early Childhood Family Education

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) is based on the idea that the family provides a child's first and most important learning environment, and parents are a child's first and most significant teachers. ECFE works to strengthen families and enhance the ability of all parents to provide the best possible environment for the healthy growth and development of their children.

Community Education

Community Education seeks to improve quality of life by providing lifelong learning opportunities for all members of the community.

Social Security: Benefits for Children with Disabilities

Apply for benefits by calling Social Security's national toll-free service at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or by visiting your local Social Security office

MN Department of Human Services: Health Care Programs

Families with low incomes who meet eligibility rules may qualify for programs including Medical Assistance, MinnesotaCare, and MN Family Planning Program.

Twin Cities Metro Shelters

Homeless adults, families and youth can get up-to-date information about places to sleep tonight by calling the Shelter Hotline at 1-888-234-1329.

HousingLink

Improved housing conditions and awareness of housing options in neighborhoods for families participating in the Section 8 voucher and public housing program

Ramsey County Financial Assistance

Helps determine your eligibility for financial assistance programs, including child care, food support, health care, housing, and a variety of other programs.

Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties

The Community Action Partnership of Ramsey & Washington Counties and other agencies offer St. Paul and Ramsey residents with several assistance programs. Too many programs to name then all. Some programs include assistance with housing, heating, vehicles and food.

Bridging

Bridging, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization serving the greater Twin Cities, is the largest furniture bank in the United States. Through the effective reuse of donated items, Bridging improves lives by providing quality furniture and household goods to those transitioning out of homelessness and poverty.

Bridge to Benefits

Bridge to Benefits is a multi-state project by Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota to improve the well-being of families and individuals by linking them to public work support programs and tax credits. By answering a few simple questions, you will be able to see if you or someone else may be eligible for public work support programs. We will NOT ask you for information that identifies you.

Additional Resources: 

• Social Story for the museum
• Visual Schedules with Printout Checklist Schedules or Choice Boards
• Sprouts Exhibit is designed for children 3 and under
• Wheelchair accessibility for every exhibit
• Low noise levels: Tuesdays there are no school groups, Friday and Saturday evenings, morning hours
• Low Visual Stimulation Exhibits: Imaginopolis, Sprouts, Tip Top Terrace, reading areas
• Break Rooms with low visual stimulation on the first and second floor

• Sensory Friendly Information Page
• Printable Visual Schedule with flow board
• Sensory Map of the Zoo
• Cold Weather Social Story available to print at home
• Autism Friendly Early Entry: 9-10am on certain days updated on their page regularly. Exhibits and activities during these hours are specifically designed for individuals on the autism spectrum and their families
• Lil’ Explorers:  is a FREE program from 10am-12pm on Thursdays in the Visitor Center in the Winter and on the zoo grounds in the Summer. Perfect for the 1-3 year old (but all ages are welcome) to meet animal and plant visitors, see story time, play games and many other fun activities. Different theme each week! An ASL interpreter will be here every Thursday through March from 10:15am-12:15pm interpreting both Little Explorer story times and the 11:30am Sparky Show!

• Story Times for Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and Families.

Parks & Recreation

• Tot Times is a drop-in playtime at recreation center gyms for children 0-5 years and their caregivers
• Volunteer at Parks and Rec !

provides Expert interviews with helpful tips and relevant information for parents at all stages of their child’s development.