• News
  • Calendar
  • Links

Minnesotans have a reputation of being tireless and effective advocates for all children. We are recognized for our willingness to speak up to insure that all children have a healthy start in life. No one needs this healthy start more than children who have been homeless. Watch Video

NEW 2009 Statewide Homeless Research This study from Wilder Research found more homelss children than ever, with half of homeless children age 5 or younger and racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately affected. Click here to read

The Minnesota Interagency Council on Homelessness has released Minnesota’s Roadmap for Ending Homelessness: a comprehensive set of strategies for maximizing and aligning future work on this initiative. Click here to view PDF

Homelessness and accompanying trauma can have a profound negative impact on all areas of a child's development.  Yet, children and youth continue to represent a growing population of the homeless.  To learn more, read Wilder Research 2009 Minnesota homeless fact sheet, Homeless Children in Minnesota and their Families.

 
No events

Connect with websites that can build your knowledge and support your work.

Minnesota Parents Know
Parenting information to parents about children newborn to adolescent.

Minnesota Parents Know/Help Me Grow
Referral program available to parents and providers who have a concern about  a child’s development.

Zero to Three
Informs, trains, and supports professionals, policymakers, and parents in their efforts to improve the lives of infants and toddlers.

Safe Start Center
Broaden the knowledge of and promote community investment in evidence-based strategies for reducing the impact of children's exposure to violence.

YouthLink                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Creates relationships with youth and the community, creating future opportunities of empowerment, self-sufficiency, and connectedness.

Institute for Children, Poverty and Homelessness
Research on family homelessness, data and ideas that will inform and enhance public policy on serving homeless families

title_policy
Public Policy Goals

The goals of the efforts of the Visible Child Public Policy are:

  • Elevate the visibility of children who have experienced homelessness.
  • Ensure that young children, who have experienced homelessness, have uninterrupted access to quality early childhood education.
  • Ensure that homeless shelters and supportive housing programs have adequate resources and support to meet the cognitive and social/emotional needs of homeless children.
  • Build a community movement to end family homelessness.

In the 2012 legislative session the Visible Child will employ two primary advocacy strategies;

  • Organize a Visible Child Advocacy Group to develop and advocate for a Homeless Children’s Legislative Act. Details of this effort will be provided soon.
  • Partner with homeless advocates to influence administrative and public policy that affects homeless families and children.

Private and public investment to end homelessness must have at its core a commitment to ensure that homeless children are kindergarten-ready and ready to read by the third grade. As we work to influence public policy, we are guided by the belief that the effectiveness of our work will be measured by the outcomes of our children.