A new year of learning, growth and connection with ParentChild+

By Chantel Jullie • ParentChild+ Program Manager

Fall is always an exciting time for JFCS of Minnesota’s ParentChild+ program! While our leadership team works throughout the summer preparing for the new program year, our Early Learning Specialists (ELS) enjoy a well-deserved break. It is always special to welcome them back, and this year was no exception! Following Labor Day, our ELS reconnected with returning families and began meeting new families. Having their smiling faces back in our office and meeting spaces brings an energy that is hard to match.

The ParentChild+ program is an intensive, two-year home visiting program that supports school readiness, parenting skills and child development for families with children ages 2-4 – at no cost to families. Through twice-weekly visits from highly trained Early Learning Specialists, the program helps children in underserved communities bridge the opportunity gap and build a strong foundation for success in school.

Our ELS are at the heart of what makes ParentChild+ so special. Twice each week, they visit their assigned families, bringing a free educational book or toy that is a gift for the child to keep. ELS partner with parents and caregivers to work toward goals for their children, supporting language development, play skills and a lifelong love of learning. Books and toys become tools for growth, with ELS sharing ways families can incorporate learning and play into everyday activities.

Because our program is centered around each individual family, we can tailor visits to meet their specific needs. Our ELS work alongside parents and caregivers, helping them build confidence in their role as their child’s first and most important teacher while discovering the joy of learning together.

Over the course of two years, we have a front-row seat to witness remarkable growth in children’s language and play skills. A child may begin their first year learning to turn the pages of a book and point out what they see. By the end of two years, that same child may be following the story, answering questions and sharing their own ideas. These moments of growth are what make the work of our ELS so meaningful.

This fall, we also welcomed three ELS to our team – including a former ELS returning after a year away and a former ParentChild+ parent! We are especially excited when we have the opportunity to hire former program participants who bring a unique perspective and first-hand experience to their work with families. In fact, we now have three ELS on our team who were once ParentChild+ parents themselves.

Inspired by the ELS who visited their homes and supported their families, these former participants experienced the program’s impact on their own children’s growth and development. They were motivated to become ELS so they could share that same experience with other families and help parents recognize the important role they play in their children’s learning.

With the start of the new program year comes the excitement of reconnecting with families. More than 75 families are returning to the program, eager to reconnect after the summer break. Our ELS love seeing how much children have grown and changed during their three months apart. Alongside our returning families, we are excited to welcome many new families. This year, we hope to serve more than 100 new families throughout the Twin Cities, for a total of more than 175 families!

Each of these families represents an opportunity to nurture a child’s potential, strengthen the parent-child relationship and build a foundation for learning that will last well beyond their time in ParentChild+.

Learn more about ParentChild+ and explore our 2026 Impact Report!