Community Education program receives grant to support family wellness

Osseo Area Schools’ Early Childhood & Family Education program was approved for a planning grant this year in partnership with the Northwest Family Resource Collaborative (NWFRC) to create a Family Wellness Framework that will support the well-being of families with young children.

The grant program aims to strengthen community well-being by supporting mental health, school readiness, positive community interactions and strong family bonds. The work focuses on individuals and communities facing disproportionate challenges related to mental well-being and belonging, including LGBTQIA+ youth and Black, Indigenous and People of Color youth. Early childhood was identified as a priority area for funding.

A project proposal was developed by ECFE staff and a work group from the NWFRC Governance Commission. The initial proposal outline was approved in March 2026, and the final proposal was presented to the Governance Commission on May 7. The project received unanimous approval.

The grant will provide $90,000 during the 2026-27 school year for ECFE to implement the Family Wellness Framework. The framework will focus on supporting families with children from birth through third grade, particularly families from marginalized communities.

Planned program areas include:

• Embedding family wellness practices, such as healing through nature and art, along with mental health supports into some ECFE classes and home visits.
• Hosting a Family Wellness Fair in spring 2027 in collaboration with the Osseo Area Schools’ Family and Community Engagement (FACE) program.
• Supporting staff professional development focused on family wellness practices, including art, nature, breathing and movement.
• Partnering with local practitioners, including St. David's Center.

Additional details will be developed as the grant work moves forward.

“We are thrilled to partner with the talented team at Osseo Area Schools Early Childhood and Family Education for this exciting family wellbeing mental health program! At Northwest Family Resource Collaborative, we strive to offer free services to our entire service region that remove barriers to access; and while this program is housed within Osseo Area Schools Early Childhood Family Education, it is open to all students across the Northwest Family Resource Collaborative service region,” said Rachel Harris, Executive Director. 

For more information about Northwest Family Resource Collaborative, visit the website.