Family/Parenting Resources

  • HEART

    HEART is a volunteer-led and staffed non-profit ministry established by Hosanna Church that partners with businesses, ministries, and government agencies to assist individuals, families, and communities locally and nationally in times of difficulty and crisis. 

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  • Family Resource Center

    The Family Resource Center is a place for connection to services, resources, information and support. There is a monthly calendar where you can meet in person with someone from the Family Resource Center. This calendar can be found by clicking the link. Locations include the Shakopee Library and River Valley YMCA

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  • Help Me Connect (Parent resource link)

    Help Me Connect is an online navigator that can connect parents (and expecting parents) with local resources to support your child(ren)'s growth and development in many different areas (childcare, disability, mental health, legal, basic needs, dental care, developmental/behavioral concerns, etc.)

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  • Three Rivers Park's free recreation pass

    At Three Rivers, we believe everyone belongs in the parks — to play, explore, and discover all that nature has to offer. From hiking through the woods, learning about wildlife at a nature center, skiing through a winter wonderland and more, there’s adventure for everyone!

    Recreation Pass Plus is a recreation card that offers free equipment rentals, discounts on programs and events and free recreation passes. These recreation passes include archery, swim ponds, dog off-leash areas, disc golf and cross-country skiing.

    The Recreation Pass Plus card is available for families and individuals who live in Hennepin County or Scott County and are experiencing financial difficulty.

    If you’re a Hennepin County or Scott County resident and you’re enrolled in any one of the following services, you can apply for a Recreation Pass Plus card:

    • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
    • Emergency Medical Assistance (EMA)
    • Minnesota Care
    • General Assistance (GA)
    • Minnesota Family Investment Act (MFIP)
    • Medical Assistance (MA)
    • Minnesota Supplemental Aid (MSA)
    • Hennepin County Emergency Assistance Program (HCEAP)
    • Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
    • Diversionary Work Program (DWP)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Program Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T)
    • Free and Reduced School Lunch Program

    Apply online or call 763.559.6700.

    For relay services, dial 711. For translation assistance, please call 763.559.6700.

    Each family member can make their individual choices for their two recreation passes. Individual cards for each member of the family will be sent in the mail.

    Once the application is submitted, you will receive a receipt via email that the application was received. A second email will be sent to you after your application is approved and your Recreation Pass Plus card(s) will be mailed to you within 5 to 7 business days.

    You can use your second receipt as a temporary pass for 7 days from the receipt date so you don’t have to wait for your card to use your recreation passes.

    When you receive your card:

    • Remember to bring it with you to the parks to receive free rental equipment and to use your recreation passes.
    • Use it to register online for discounts on programs.

    • The Recreation Pass Plus card is valid for a 12-month period, starting May 1 and ending April 30. A reminder email to reapply for the card will be sent one month prior to the expiration date.

      All information is confidential and will not be used for any purpose other than communication about this and other relevant Three Rivers programs.

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  • Parent Support Outreach Program (PSOP)

    Parent Support Outreach Program is a short-term voluntary support for families facing challenges. The focus is on the famiily's strengths and needs and aims to help children and parents thrive. A PSOP worker will conduct a comprehensive assessment of families' needs and strengths together and make decisions about what services or community resources are the best choice for success. 

    PSOP can assist with:

       *basic needs

       *family health

       *Parenting

       *Transportation

       *Child Care

       *Financial needs

     

    Call 952-496-8959 or follow the following link for more information: https://co.carver.mn.us/departments/health-human-services/child-family/child-welfare/parent-support-outreach-program-psop

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  • Crisis Nursery

    The crisis nursey assists families who are in need of short-term child care due to a crisis. 

    Helpline:L612-746-1530

    Or follow the link for more information: https://capagency.org/cause/crisis-nursery/

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  • Family Voices

    Family Voices is an agency supporting families of children with Special Needs from diagnosis to adulthood through:

       *Parent support groups (on-line)

       *Webinars on a variety of topics

       *Resources

       *Connect parents with another support parent

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  • MOMS Club of Shakopee and Prior Lake

    MOMS Club of Shakopee and Prior Lake provides activites, playdates, service projects and various gatherings who's goal is to connect parents of young children for socialization opportunities for both the parents and the children.

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  • MOPS: A faith-based support group for Moms

    MOPS is an international organization that has a group in Shakopee and other Twin Cities communitieis which meets on a regular basis to support moms of young children. 

    See the link below to find a group near you, if you are interested. 

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  • Twin Cities Moms Blog

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  • MN Zoo

    MN Zoo has launched an app which will assist families of children with ASD, anxiety or sensory processing difficulties have a better experience at the Zoo. The app includes social guides, sensory friendly zoo map, visual schedules which can be individualized, communication tools and a zoo-themed memory game. 

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  • Understood.org

    Understood.org is a website that provides a variety of tools for parents of children ages 3 to 20 who have learning and attention issues. The tools include signs and symptoms; treatment approaches; school approaches and support for the family. There are articles, live experts, blogs and groups available to support parents. 

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  • Empowering Parents

    Empowering Parents is a website run by a company which is dedicated to empowering parents with tools to manage challenging child children's behaviors. While some of the services are fee-based, there is free access to hundreds of parenting articles written by professionals in the field. 

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  • M.O.M.S. Mentoring Program: Making Our Moms Successful

    M.O.M.S. is a non-profit, faith based mentoring program serving single mothers and their children in Dakota and Scott counties. They provide education, personal support and connections to community resources. The goal is to fill the niche of "trusted advisor" for single mothers who find themselves in challenging situations and want to make positive life changes for their families, but lack the support system to help them do so.

    Program participants commit to :

      **Goal setting and achievement'

      **Mentoring

      **Education: bi-monthly meeings on topics such as budgeting, parenting and healthy relationships

    Contact M.O.M.S. by calling 952-890-5072, email at office@momsprogram.org or click on the link www.momsprogram.org

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  • FREE Toys at "The Toy Corner"

    The Toy Corner provides free and gently used toys for families who might not otherwise have any. Each child can pick out 2 toys in addition to books and stuffed animals (maximum of 6 toys per family and shopping once a month). Parents need to provide an ID and current utility bill indicating they live in Shakopee, Savage or Prior Lake. 

    The Toy Corner is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays. Please see link for specific hours. 

    The Toy Corner appreciates donations of gently used toys. There are drop off locations at CFC, Klein Bank and Chamber of Commerce in Shakopee in addition to other locations outside of Shakopee. Financial support is also appreciated.

    The Toy Corner is located at 12302 Princeton Avenue in Savage. Their phone number is 952-230-6356. 

     

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  • Kinship Caregivers

    Kinship Caregivers is a program within Lutheran Social Services of Minnesota that supports adults who are raising other's children (grandparents, relatives or friend) through worhskops/classes, individual consultation and conferences.

    Kinship Caregivers can:

        *Help connect you with a variety of resources such as legal, medical and financial support for your family.

        *Hosts groups and classes which provide information and strategy for self-care, healing trauma and supporting children with behavioral challenges.

        *Hosts support groups which offer an opportunity to find solidarity, identify resources and learn new ways to navigate difficult aspects of the caregiving journey. These are offered in multiple locations

    Contact Kinship Caregivers by calling 651-917-4640; emailing at warmline@lssmn.org.

     

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  • Autism Support

    Sesame Street introduced a character with autism named Julia. They now have a website that provides videos to help your child understand the challenges of children with autism. Additionally, if you are a parent of a child with autism, there are some great resources to help support your child at home. 

      *Videos for children on how to be a friend to a peer with autism; why some children do things differently and how to communicate in sign language. There's even a book on "Julia and her friends" and how they build their friendship together. 

      *Daily routine charts for parents of children with autism in addition to other resources. 

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  • CDC Parenting Tips

    Parenting tips for families with toddlers and preschoolers from the CDC (Centers for Disease Prevention). 

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  • Parents Forever

    Parents Forever provides classes and support for parents experiencing divorce, separation and issues of paternity/parenting time/child support. Children do best when they can maintain a positive relationship with both parents if it is safe to do so. Online and in-person education helps parents develop skills in co-parenting by teaching them to:
     
    - Eliminate parental conflict in front of children
    - Keep the children out of parents' issues
    - Provide children with access to both parents
    - Put the best interest of the children first
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  • Southern Valley Alliance

    Southern Valley Alliance for Battered Women provides support groups, legal advocacy and general support for individuals in verbally, physical or sexually abusive relationships. They also provide a visitation center for parents needing to exchange children in a safe environment.
     
    The website provides information about the topic as well as more information about the programs offered.
     
    Weekly meetings are held at convenient locations with free childcare. For more information, call 952-873-4214. 
     
    24 hour crisis line
    952-873-4214 

     

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  • Help Me Grow

    Help Me Grow is a state program providing assistance from early childhood specialists. If you have any concerns about your child's development, please contact the Help Me Grow programs at 952-496-5059.
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  • Parenting 24/7

    A website that provides links to articles on a wide array of parenting issues including sleep, independence/defiance, media, emotions/feelings, getting along with others, schoolwork and many more. A great resource for parents looking for general parenting support.
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  • Parent Further

    A website that provides articles and information to support parenting. Topics are broken down by age. The website provides interactive quizzes for better understanding.
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  • University of Minnesota Extension Services

    A great resource for articles and links to support parents. Topics include teen issues, school support, parenting after divorce, nutrition, finance and emotional well-being of children.
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Additional Resources

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Additional Opportunities

  • MOMS Club of Shakopee

    MOMS Club of Shakopee

    meets at 9:30 a.m. the 2nd Tuesday of each month at Cross of Peace Lutheran Church, 1506 Wood Duck Trail in Shakopee.
    Call Erin at 952-496-2163 for more information

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  • SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)

    SEPAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council)

    Connect with other families and resources to discuss issues and make positive changes in coordination with the schools for our youth.
    "Like" us on Facebook to find out more:: Shakopee SEPAC District 720
    For more information contact:
    Mary Alice Fredricks, maaf1216@gmail.com or 952-233-2447 or Sharlene James-Whited, sjameswhited@gmail.com or 952-233-3730

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  • Shakopee's All Inclusive Playground at Lions Park

    Shakopee's All Inclusive Playground at Lions Park

    An inclusive playground is intended to provide accessible, age and developmental appropriate activities that stimulate all children physically, emotionally and socially. Rather than one large play structure, inclusive playgrounds use smaller, individual components designed to fit different needs and provide unique sensory experiences. This includes the use of land forms to provide contour and challenges to the park, tunnels, group activities and animals to touch and find, etc. The playground’s surface would be poured-in-place rubber.

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  • Parent Support for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

    Parent Support for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

    NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and MOFAS (Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome) provide a support group the 4th Monday of the month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Prior Lake YMCA at 3575 North Berens Rd NW. Pizza is provided at 6 p.m. and there's free childcare. For more information contact NAMI at 651-645-2948 extension 130.

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  • Celebrate Recovery

    Celebrate Recovery

    Dealing with hurts, habits and hang-ups for all individuals in our community. Mondays from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at Friendship Church in Shakopee, 12800 Marystown Road. Contact celebraterecovery@friendship-church.org or call 952-447-0546.

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