Support groups are available for individuals experiencing vision loss, offering a place to connect with others experiencing vision loss and share ideas. Each group meets monthly and transportation assistance is available. Peer-to-Peer Mentor Network matches individuals struggling emotionally with a mentor who has also walked that journey.

Provides a helpline that connects patients to resources in their community and offers information on patient services, support groups, social services, medical equipment, wigs and prostheses, transportation, lodging, financial programs and tobacco quitline.

ECFE is a parenting education program for all Minnesota families with children between the ages of birth to Kindergarten entrance. Learning opportunities through ECFE may occur in a variety of settings, such as the families' homes, district or community sites, and online parenting education and support. Programming and education services often include parents/caregivers and children but may just include parents/caregivers. Works to strengthen families and engage the ability of all parents to provide an environment that supports the healthy development of their child. Services may include: - Book and toy lending library - Dad and child programs - Early childhood screening for children ages 3 - 5 - Home visits - Information on community resources - Parent-child activities - Parent discussion groups - Play and learn activities for children - Programs for non-English language learners? - School readiness program for children age 3 1/2 - 4 - Single parent program - Special events for the entire family - Workshops on specific topics

- Public education/information - Research - Annual education fair - Quarterly newsletter (for members) - Pamphlets, brochures, books, videos - One-on-one mentoring for those newly diagnosed - Professional medical information - Camp Oasis at Camp Heartland - Residential camp for any child with medically stable Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

Comprehensive orientation to blindness training program which includes classes in braille, cane travel, home management, computers, industrial arts, career exploration, and life skills. Other services include: - Buddy Program: Kinship program for blind children ages 9 - 14 - ELL: English Language Learners - Evaluation of job readiness - Internet-based job search - Job development - Job seeking skills training - PREP Program: Life skills training for youth ages 14 - 22 - Program for those 55 and older who are losing their sight - Staff training for service providers - Teaches a positive attitude toward blindness - Writing own rehabilitation plan

Senior Companions are volunteers 55 years of age and older who visit frail elderly to assist them in living independently in their homes. Senior Companions provide support to family caregivers, assist with grocery shopping, appointments, errands, and act as a community advocate. Lutheran Social Services is actively seeking volunteers for this program. Volunteers receive an hourly tax-free stipend and mileage reimbursement.

Provides supportive services for individuals and families who have experienced or have been affected by all types of perinatal loss including miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, infertility, neonatal death, prematurity, and others, including: - Virtual Support Groups: Bereaved Parents, Pregnancy After Loss, Dad's Grief Discussion, Grandparents and Extended Family, Parenting After Loss, and Coping with SIDS/SUID and Infant Death - Peer Companions: Free trained peer companions with similar experience are matched with newly bereaved individuals to provide support and resources. Peers are available for the entire family. - A free national telephone and text grief support helpline staffed by professionals who have personal experience with pregnancy and infant loss. - Prenatal Patient Education: Parenting in Pregnancy is an informational booklet for expectant parents about how to optimize the health of mom and baby during pregnancy. Educational materials are also available for stillbirth, miscarriage, pregnancy after a loss, fathers grief, caring for yourself after perinatal loss, grieving grandparents, assisting siblings with perinatal loss, how friends and family can help, and understanding perinatal autopsy and testing options. - Hosts a monthly podcast that offers information, support, and education. - Minnesota Center for Stillbirth and Infant Death: A statewide program that provides a starting point for families who have experienced the death of a baby through stillbirth, neonatal death, SUID/SIDS, or any other infant death. Provides resources for information on strategies to reduce the risk for stillbirth and infant death, grief resources, funeral assistance, and support for bereaved families. The Center will contact each family and offer the services of a Family Support Coordinator who are health professionals with expertise in caring for families after the death of a baby. Visit website for more information and online Support Referral Form.

- Public education/information - Research - Annual education fair - Quarterly newsletter (for members) - Pamphlets, brochures, books, videos - One-on-one mentoring for those newly diagnosed - Professional medical information - Camp Oasis at Camp Heartland - Residential camp for any child with medically stable Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis

Supportive network linking individuals and families with similar challenges including: - Adults who have bleeding disorders - Adults who have bleeding disorders and are HIV positive or have AIDS - Families of children who have bleeding disorders - Individuals with bleeding disorders and Hepatitis C - Newsletter and brochures on bleeding disorders and its complications including HIV/AIDS and hepatitis

The Lupus Foundation of America provides education and support services to people affected by lupus. The foundation collaborates with experts to provide clear, easy-to-use information, programs, and resources to help people navigate their journey with lupus. Programs offered: - Health Education Specialists: Specialists are available to answer questions and provide caring support to people with lupus. Health Education Specialists are specially trained to provide people affected by lupus with non-medical counseling, disease education, information, and helpful resources. Spanish speaking health education specialists are also available. - The Expert Series: An educational podcast that features empowering conversations with leading lupus experts that focus on helping people live with lupus - LupusConnect: An online community where people can engage with others to share experiences, find emotional support, and discuss practical ways to live and cope with the disease - Lupus & You: A free educational series where people with lupus, their family, and friends can learn more about the latest in lupus research and managing the disease. Provides advocacy and panelist events in-person or virtual formats. - National Resource Center: A collection of up-to-date resources and information on lupus. The Resource Center educates, empowers, and connects individuals to resources, educational articles, and support services about lupus. - Strategies to Embrace Living with Lupus Fearlessly (SELF): A free online self-management app program designed to help people with lupus live their best life. SELF is tailored to support people with lupus to manage symptoms, stress, medications, and working with their health care team. - Take Charge: A weekly education email series designed to give people with lupus, and those recently diagnosed, tips, and resources that can help them better manage their lupus and it's everyday challenges Find a local Lupus Foundation chapter at www.lupus.org/chapters.

Specialized emergency shelter, supportive housing, and mental health services to youth who are commercially sexually exploited, trafficked, or at high risk of sexual exploitation. DHS-licensed housing programs for eligible youth include emergency shelter (The Loft) and group residential housing (Sol House) Mental health support services: - Trauma-informed therapy - Substance abuse recovery support - Peer support groups

- Care Consultants are available through CareLine to answer questions - Comprehensive online resources on the website - Publications on tumor types and treatments, available in print or for download (Spanish available) - Nationwide listings of brain tumor support groups on website (click on "Care and Treatment", "Support and Resources", then "Support Groups") - "Connections" online support group and message board forum - "MyCaringLink" personalized online caregiver support tool - "TrialConnect" clinical trial matching service - Educational programming, including patient/family conferences, meetings, and "Anytime Learning" webinars - Funding for brain tumor research at institutions throughout the United States and Canada - Monthly E-News and bi-annual Headlines newsletter - Social networking via Facebook and Twitter - ABTA CommYOUnity, a nationwide volunteer network - ABTA CommYOUnity Connect, a peer-to-peer mentorship program

NOTE: Not a direct service agency ?- Information provided to parents and professionals about children's mental health, accessing services, support groups - Several publications offered on children's mental health disorders, services, health insurance and more; some available in Spanish - Statewide child and adolescent mental health conference held annually - MACMH Training Services offering timely and relevant trainings to parents, educators, and other professionals - Parent Education and Support providing education, advocacy, support, and a teen mom program - Parent to Parent: Parents offering encouragement, support, and education to other parents (cultural and community based groups) - Public Education: Working in schools and communities to increase awareness of children's mental health - Early Childhood Division: Promoting relationship-based mental health principles throughout the systems and disciplines that touch the lives of infants, young children, and their families - Youth programming including Be A LdR

- Provides connections to healthcare experts including physicians, researchers, and other experts who are available to discuss any allergy or asthma topic - Provides connections with adult and pediatric patients, caregivers, asthma educators, and support group leaders for information and support NOTE: The Allergist only provides general advice about managing asthma, allergies, medicine, and treatment. The information is not a substitute for medical advice from a primary physician. Always talk with a primary physician about medicine or treatment plans.

Provides a confidential and anonymous peer-to-peer approach to mental health recovery, support and wellness. Calls are answered by a team of professionally trained Certified Peer Specialists, who have first hand experience living with a mental health condition.

- Offers individual assistance related to education, social services, mental health or correction issues - Referral to another parent whose child has a similar disability - Provides workshops and written information to parents of children and adolescents with EBD (Emotional/Behavior Disorder) - Assists in organizing parent support groups throughout Minnesota and can refer parents to groups in their area of the state

- Helpline for expecting and postpartum parents, not a crisis line - Information on postpartum mood and anxiety disorders for providers and new parents - Referrals to resources - Peer volunteers available to provide one-on-one support - Private Facebook support group - Connection to additional support groups through Postpartum Support International -In need families are awarded 20 hours of postpartum doula care

- Club for mothers and expecting mothers interested in sharing ideas and parenting tips on raising and caring for twins, triplets, and higher order multiples. - Activities include support group, monthly meetings, educational speakers, special social events, library including book loan, and a newsletter.

After school youth counseling, peer connections, family therapy, and parent education

Orton Gillingham Training Institutes: - Teaching Approach for working with students with reading disabilities - Experienced tutors (Academic Language Therapists) work with students - Undergraduate and graduate credit available through St. Mary's University Parent sharing group: - For new and experienced parents, call for meeting details Testing: - Early assessments for age 4 - 6 years - Child and adult educational evaluations - Assessments to determine risks for future reading problems Tutoring: - One-on-one tutoring for children and adults - Focuses on students with dyslexia Classes for youth: - Writing topics - Study skills Summer programs: - Reading readiness

Weekly program providing girls and feminine youth with a safe space to discuss development, mental health, struggles, and triumphs. Discussions are supported with soothing activities, development of coping skills, and a focus on active participation and listening skills. Regular participants are recognized monthly with the opportunity to visit local restaurants, coffee shops, etc. for that week of programming.

Weekly 1-to-1 service where volunteers ages 55 and older provide assistance and friendship to isolated or homebound seniors; some services include: - Companionship - Doctor's appointments - Errands - Helping with shopping - Outings

Public Programming: Workshops, Meals On Wheels delivery, Coffee Connection (Monday - Thursday 9:30 am - 12 pm), weekly activities (education hour, arts and crafts, games, and more), Bone Builders (Tuesday and Thursday 9:30 am - 10:30 am), Finland Community Senior Meal (2nd Wednesday 11:30 am - 1 pm), non-medical nail care and blood pressure clinics (3rd Thursday 9 am - 3 pm), monthly foot care clinics (call for dates). Resources: Technology support (Tech Tuesdays - volunteer-led assistance Tuesdays, 11 am - 2 pm) and referrals, free tax preparation (VITA), Medicare workshops (during open enrollment), legal kiosk, medical equipment loan closet, and Per Mar medical alert system setup. Volunteer Opportunities: Casual volunteer, Driver, friendly visitor/caller, fundraising volunteer, garden helper, governance volunteer, pet therapy volunteer, program assistant or leader, tax helper, and tech support volunteer.

Women, post-breast cancer surgery, can receive a visit or call from ACS volunteers who are breast cancer survivors. The volunteers address patient concerns about post-operative surgery.

Provides mental health and substance abuse services, and assistance connecting to community health resources Professional mental health services provided include: - Case management - Crisis intervention - Individual counseling - Mental health assessments - Peer support groups - Substance abuse assessments - Treatment planning and coordination