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Bemidji Early Childhood Collaborative partnership highlighted after Tiny Tots draws more than 650
Summary
Beltrami County public health staff described their partnership with the Bemidji Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC), highlighted the Tiny Tots family event that attracted about 658 attendees and outlined efforts to expand early‑childhood programming across the county.
Amy Bowles, Beltrami County Public Health Director and Community Health Services Administrator, and social worker and BECC board member Cammy Kelm briefed the Community Health Board on early‑childhood partnerships and recent events.
Kelm, who said she has worked in Beltrami County for 14 years and joined public health earlier in the year, described the Bemidji Early Childhood Collaborative (BECC) as a partnership formed out of the Thrive Initiative in 2018 to promote culturally responsive early childhood development, quality childcare and family support for children birth through age 5.
Kelm said BECC runs several programs, including Movement and Play (MAP), a Friday‑morning play program; a Stay Fit parenting group; Gather and Grow training and networking for local childcare providers; professional development workshops; and a postpartum‑depression awareness campaign. She told the board that Tiny Tots, a sober, family‑friendly free event, was held this year at the Sanford Center and drew about 658 attendees, more than 30 vendors and more than 30 volunteers.
Kelm said BECC is planning a Nature Neighbors resource fair and a waterfront concert in June featuring the Okeydoke Brothers, and that the collaborative role of BECC has helped public health staff connect families with resources.
Board members asked about MAP logistics and geographic access. Kelm said MAP runs in seasonal segments, with the summer session moving outdoors to Paul Bunyan School and summer coordination usually involving the Boys & Girls Club; BECC is seeking a more permanent storage or program location. Commissioners raised equity concerns for residents outside Bemidji and asked whether similar events could be organized in communities such as Blackduck, Kelliher and Red Lake; Kelm said a Red Lake effort was being discussed and that she would welcome expansions to other communities.
The presentation closed with board members endorsing continued partnership between public health and BECC and expressing support for efforts to broaden geographic access to early‑childhood programming.
The board approved the meeting agenda and minutes earlier in the session (procedural motions).
