Ideas at work

Find initiatives and collaborations addressing the needs of young children and learn about proven strategies for action.

initiatives and collaborations

500 Under 5
Finding 500 children under age five in two north Minneapolis communities, learning about their lives and connecting them with needed resources so they arrive at kindergarten ready to succeed.

A proposal for achieving high returns on early childhood development
Proposes permanent scholarship fund for at-risk children in combination with parent mentoring program.

The BUILD Initiative in Minnesota/Ready4K
Help build a coordinated system of cost-effective programs, policies and services that are responsive to families and effective in preparing young children for a successful future.

Early Childhood Advisory Council
Makes recommendations to the Governor and legislature, including proposed legislation on how to effectively create a high-quality early childhood system in Minnesota in order to improve the educational outcomes of children.

Minnesota Early Childhood Initiative and Minnesota Thrive Initiative
More than 90 community-based coalitions working to advance quality early childhood opportunities, create systemic changes in the way early care and education is delivered, and increase access to early childhood mental health services in Greater Minnesota communities. These initiatives are carried out by the six Minnesota Initiative Foundations (MIFs).

Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF)
Testing most cost-effective ways to ensure all young children have opportunities to develop intellectually, socially and emotionally.

Minnesota's Future
An alliance of early childhood advocacy organizations, convened by Ready 4 K, to advance a set of shared policy recommendations to Minnesota’s next Governor that will improve children’s development and readiness for school and for life.

Minnesota Parents Know
A web site for parents with extensive input of parents that provides up-to-date research-based information on children from birth through grade 12.

Parent Aware
Parent Aware’s star ratings help you find the type of quality, nurturing programs that will help prepare your babies, toddlers and preschoolers for school and life.

School Readiness Funders Coalition
A collaboration of philanthropic organizations in Minnesota that believe every child must be ready for kindergarten.

Research-based strategies

Listed below are proven, effective strategies linked to reports that provide data and information about how the strategies were implemented.

Access to health care (3)
- Reducing the high school dropout rate
  Annie E. Casey Foundation, July 2009, 16 pp.
  This brief outlines strategies for reducing the dropout rate.
- Smart investments in Minnesota's students: A research-based investment proposal
  Growth & Justice, October 2008, 32 pp.
  Shows how to apply what is known about cost-effective investments in education to address a looming shortage of educated workers that could undermine the state’s economic well being.
- Improving children's health: Understanding children's health disparities and promising approaches to address them
  Children's Defense Fund, June 2006, 85 pp.
  Provides an overview of health disparities and determinants of health outcomes, specifically focusing on children's health. It includes data from the National Health Interview Survey, and strategies to reduce disparities.
Family involvement in learning (4)
- Reducing the high school dropout rate
  Annie E. Casey Foundation, July 2009, 16 pp.
  This brief outlines strategies for reducing the dropout rate.
- Smart investments in Minnesota's students: A research-based investment proposal
  Growth & Justice, October 2008, 32 pp.
  Shows how to apply what is known about cost-effective investments in education to address a looming shortage of educated workers that could undermine the state’s economic well being.
- The transition to kindergarten: A review of current research and promising practices to involve families
  Harvard Family Research Project, April 2004, 10 pp.
  A review of research on the transition to kindergarten, focusing on promising transition practices and the role that schools might play in their implementation.
- Families as primary partners in their child's development and school readiness
  Annie E. Casey Foundation, January 2004, 162 pp.
  Tool kit includes key strategies and promising practices for parents that will assist communities in working with families as primary partners in their child’s development and school readiness
High-quality preschool learning environment (4)
- Reducing the high school dropout rate
  Annie E. Casey Foundation, July 2009, 16 pp.
  This brief outlines strategies for reducing the dropout rate.
- Smart investments in Minnesota's students: A research-based investment proposal
  Growth & Justice, October 2008, 32 pp.
  Shows how to apply what is known about cost-effective investments in education to address a looming shortage of educated workers that could undermine the state’s economic well being.
- Early childhood interventions: Proven results, future promise
  RAND, December 2005, 201 pp.
  A review and synthesis of research that addresses the potential for various forms of early childhood intervention to improve outcomes for participating children and their families.
- Early childhood indicators of progress: Minnesota's early learning standards
  Minnesota State Department of Education and Department of Human Services, January 2005, 68 pp.
  Provides a resource for community members and policymakers to use in assessing the impact of current policies and resources on the optimal development of young children.
Home visiting (2)
- Smart investments in Minnesota's students: A research-based investment proposal
  Growth & Justice, October 2008, 32 pp.
  Shows how to apply what is known about cost-effective investments in education to address a looming shortage of educated workers that could undermine the state’s economic well being.
- Early childhood interventions: Proven results, future promise
  RAND, December 2005, 201 pp.
  A review and synthesis of research that addresses the potential for various forms of early childhood intervention to improve outcomes for participating children and their families.
Parent intervention programs (2)
- Policies that strengthen fatherhood and family relationships: What do we know, and what do we need to know?
  MDRC, April 2010, 45 pp.
  Widening gaps in fathers’ involvement in parenting and in the quality and stability of parents’ relationships may reinforce disparities in outcomes for the next generation. This paper reviews evidence about the effectiveness of two strategies to strengthen fathers’ involvement and family relationships.
- Lessons from family-strengthening interventions
  Harvard Family Research Project, October 2006, 21 pp.
  Highlights the best program and evaluation practices of family-strengthening intervention programs.

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