Health Care Public Health

Follow Along Program

What?
This program allows parents to find out if their children are playing, talking, growing, moving, and acting like other children the same age. It is a fun way for families to get ideas about how to teach and what to teach children until age three. The Follow Along Program is also an easy way for parents to find out about other services that may be available for their children and helps with early diagnosis of mental disabilities, including Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.

Who?
Children as young as four months and their families and caregivers are eligible for this free program.

How?
First, you may be visited by a nurse to tell you more about the program and you will also be asked to sign a permission form. Questionnaires are sent to you when your child reaches different ages such as 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, and 36 months old. These questionnaires asks how your child is growing, playing, talking, moving, and acting. Included along with the questionnaires will also be ideas about fun activities to do with your child. The results of the questionnaires will be shared with you. If there are any concerns, a nurse or other professional in the program will contact you. Together, you can talk about choices for further evaluation or early intervention services. After your child is 36 months old, you will get information about the next step, Early Childhood Screening.

The Follow Along program helped us identify developmental areas in which our foster son needed additional professional intervention. It was great to have in place and follow him when he moved on to his permanent family so that his interventions could continue seamlessly. -Linda, parent I liked getting the Follow Along surveys when Andrew was little. I was worried about how the drinking I did before I went to treatment affected him. I did lots of the suggested activities from the mailings. They were fun! The nurse visited with me about the eating and sleeping problems Andrew was having. She gave me suggestions that have really helped like naps and meals being at the same time each day, and reading a book before bedtime each night. -Cecelia, parent

Where?
For more information on the Follow Along Program, visit the MN Department of Health website or contact the program coordinator at 651-201-3641. To refer a child, contact the MN Children and Youth with Special Health Needs Information and Assistance Line at 1-800-728-5420 or 651-201-3650.