Sawtooth Mountain Clinic to launch its Early Childhood Navigator program

Sawtooth Mountain Clinic is launching its Early Childhood Community Hub program this week. Early Childhood Hub Navigator Jodi Tervo Roberts will be at School District 166 with information on Wednesday, April 13 as part of the school’s preschool open house.

WTIP checked in with Tervo Roberts before that event to learn more about her job as a navigator and a bit about her background in early childhood.

Tervo Roberts came to the navigator position from an earlier role working with families at Cook County Public Health. Before that, and after a break to be home with her own children for a while, Tervo Roberts worked in special education.

However, she is quick to point out that the navigator position is not just for families who have special needs. It is intended to help all parents help connect with services that are available in the community.

Tervo Roberts notes that there are many existing programs for families. But sometimes parents find it hard to connect with them. She said that is her role. She has compiled information on the various resources—prenatal support, behavioral health, programs for families like parent and child sessions at Cook County Early Childhood Family Education, and more.

She can help make those connections and be an advocate for families who need follow-up.

More information can be found on the statewide Help Me Connect website. Tervo Roberts is working with the state to get the Cook County information there up-to-date. If community members cannot find the answers they need online, she encourages them to contact her by calling her at Sawtooth Mountain Clinic – 218-387-2330 ext. 818. She can also be reached by email at JTRoberts@sawtoothmountainclinic.org.

And, Tervo Roberts will be at the School District 166 preschool open house on April 13 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., in the gym. She invites community members to stop by to learn more about the Early Childhood Navigation Hub.

Rhonda Silence April 11, 2022