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July 2026 Grantee Spotlight
First Steps Central MN
First Steps Central MN is a four-county family home visiting collaboration across Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, and Wright counties. Since coming together to expand family home visiting programming in 2019, the partnership has focused on strong community connections, communication, continuous quality improvement and shared learning, and innovative efforts that strengthen protective factors for families.
Community partnerships have expanded access to family-centered resources, early childhood supports, and health services through the development of family resource centers. Collaborative work among families, community members and agencies, public health, health and human services, schools, with the family resource centers has improved service, accessibility, and family engagement.
Family resource centers are like welcoming hubs where caregivers can find support, learn new skills, and access free or low‑cost services tailored to each community. They focus on building strengths of the individuals, families, and communities across five protective factors: parenting knowledge, concrete support, parental resilience, children’s social-emotional development, and social connections. Sites serve hundreds of community members monthly, including through planned activities, health and human services outreach, WIC clinics, and mobile health and dental services to reach underserved families. These resource centers look and feel different in every community.
A key activity offered across several of the centers is “Fun with First Steps,” a monthly engagement event facilitated by First Steps home visiting staff. This idea emerged as a successful strategy for strengthening family connections and increasing awareness of available supports. Through seasonal crafts, hands-on activities, and opportunities for parents and children to spend quality time together, the events help families build social connections while also learning about available resources. Staff note consistent positive impact on families’ sense of connection, community, and support, regardless of attendance size.
Across all feedback, a strong theme of collaboration, innovation, and shared commitment is evident. Community partners highlight the value of working together to create supportive spaces where families feel welcomed and empowered. The continued growth of outreach efforts, expansion of family resource centers, and the enthusiasm for new ideas reflect a collective dedication to improving family wellbeing across the region.
Hear from Mainstreet Family Services Family Resource Center Coordinator Shari Lay about the partnership between First Steps Central MN and Elk River’s Mainstreet Family Resource Center:
Our partnership with First Steps Central MN has been a great way for families to build natural connections and access support. Through Fun with First Steps, families with young children have enjoyed toddler-preschooler friendly crafts, and opportunities to connect with other families in a welcoming environment.
It has been an amazing resource to have skilled nurses available at the Family Resource Center to answer questions and provide guidance around nutrition, breastfeeding, child development, and other early childhood topics. Understanding how children grow and develop is one of the five protective factors that helps strengthen families, and First Steps provides an incredible resource for parents as they navigate the early years.
Our monthly Diaper Club, held on the same day as Fun with First Steps, provides free diapers for families while allowing the Family Resource Center to help identify additional needs and connect families to concrete resources such as rental assistance, employment support, school resources, parent support groups, and more.
First Steps Central MN has been an amazing partner in creating spaces where families feel supported, connected, and empowered. We cannot do this work alone, and we are grateful for the collaboration and shared commitment to helping families thrive!
Current locations across central Minnesota of family resource centers:
- Big Lake and Elk River: Mainstreet Family Services
- Wright County: Family and Community Resource Center of Wright County
- St. Cloud: 10-10 Park Community Outpost Community Outreach | Sherburne County, MN
- St. Cloud: Salem Community Outpost and Family Resource Center
- ISD 742 (St. Cloud Area Schools) Full Service Community Schools:
- North Junior High (St. Cloud)
- Discovery Community School (Waite Park)
This spotlight was submitted by First Steps Regional Program Manager Kelly Ball, with help from members of the First Steps team: Mallory Mateer, Laurie Johnson, Paige Mitchell, Courtney Ferreira, Nicole Ruhoff, and Mainstreet Services Family Resource Center Coordinator, Shari Lay.