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Healthy Kids Minnesota Communications Toolkit
FOR LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH AND SCHOOL DISTRICT PARTNERS
Background
The Healthy Kids Minnesota program is working to better understand and take action to prevent children’s exposures to chemicals that may harm development. In partnership with school districts, local public health, and tribal nations, this Minnesota Department of Health program uses biomonitoring – measuring chemicals in people’s bodies – to detect chemicals in preschool-age kids across the state. Results help inform families, address community concerns, and promote policies that reduce childhood exposures.
How it works
Healthy Kids Minnesota is a voluntary program for children 3 – 6 years old whose family consents and are able to collect a urine sample for their child’s Early Childhood Screening appointment. The family also completes a survey to help the Minnesota Department of Health understand potential chemical exposures from their environment. Families receive a $40 gift card for participating, and all information is private and protected.
What we’re measuring
The MDH Public Health Laboratory measures more than 70 chemicals in the child’s urine. Chemicals measured include those commonly found in everyday environments.
| Chemical Type | Examples of Sources |
|---|---|
| Metals | Drinking water, air, some foods / products |
| Pesticides | Agriculture, home pest control |
| Phthalates | Toys, food packaging, personal care products |
| Flame Retardants | Furniture, textiles, electronics |
| Environmental Phenols | Plastics, canned food linings, personal care items |
| Air Pollution Chemicals | Car exhaust, cigarette smoke, industrial emissions |
Key messages
- Healthy kids start with healthy environments. This program helps us learn about chemicals in children’s bodies to better protect them now and in the future.
- Participation is easy and safe. Families can take part during their child’s Early Childhood Screening appointment. If they choose to participate, they will answer a short survey and help their child give a urine sample.
- We respect privacy. All personal information is protected by Minnesota law.
- Families get results. Each family receives all of their child’s results in the mail, plus resources to reduce exposures. For three priority chemicals, families receive faster follow-up if their child has a high result, including more information and, if needed, help to reduce the child’s exposure.
- This is a long-term investment in our kids. Results help shape safer neighborhoods, homes, and policies across Minnesota.
Common questions from families
It’s a program to test for environmental chemicals in preschool-age kids during Early Childhood Screening visits to help keep them safe and healthy.
You’ll fill out a short survey and you will help your child provide a urine sample. You’ll receive a $40 gift card for participating.
Yes. You’ll receive their results in the mail with helpful tips on how to reduce exposures.
Yes. All personal information is private and protected by Minnesota law.
PFAS requires a blood test. This program uses only urine samples.
The program is being offered to families in specific school districts and counties within the following regions: the North Metro and Southwest-South Central Minnesota.
There’s no risk to your child from being in Healthy Kids Minnesota. Collecting a urine sample is straightforward and you’ll get the instructions you need to do it properly.
You’ll get all your child’s test results and tips on how to reduce their exposure to harmful chemicals. Some families may feel stressed while waiting for these results, especially since it can take up to a year. However, for three priority chemicals families receive faster follow-up if their child has a high result, including more information and, if needed, help to reduce the child’s exposure.
Communications resources
Short version
Join Healthy Kids Minnesota during your child’s Early Childhood Screening visit. With a simple urine sample and a short survey, your family can help us learn how to better protect kids from harmful chemicals and help you learn how to reduce your child’s risk. Participation is voluntary, private, and comes with a $40 gift card and a free private well testing kit. You’ll receive your child’s results and tips to reduce exposure. This program, a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health, is being offered this year in [school district / county].
Longer version
Your child’s Early Childhood Screening is an opportunity to support a healthier future for Minnesota kids. Healthy Kids Minnesota is a voluntary program in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health and [school district / county] that measures chemicals in pre-school age children’s bodies to help us understand what they’re exposed to and how to reduce risks. You’ll fill out a short survey and help your child provide a simple urine sample. Families receive a $40 gift card, a free private well testing kit, and results are mailed back with tips on reducing chemical exposures. This year, the program is being offered in select locations that includes [school district name / county name]. All personal information is kept private and protected. Join us in making Minnesota a healthier place to grow up.
Facebook/Instagram
Help build a healthier future for Minnesota kids! During Early Childhood Screening, you can join Healthy Kids Minnesota – a safe, simple program to learn more about chemical exposures in kids and how to protect them. This partnership with the Minnesota Department of Health and [school district / county] offers families a $40 gift card for participating. #HealthyKidsMN @mnhealth learn more at health.mn.gov/HealthyKidsMN.
Twitter/X – Bluesky
Your child can join Healthy Kids MN during Early Childhood Screening! A simple urine sample + short survey = $40 gift card & results. Learn how to reduce harmful chemical exposures. #HealthyKidsMN @mnhealth. More at health.mn.gov/HealthyKidsMN.
Healthy Kids Minnesota is a voluntary program that families can join during their child’s Early Childhood Screening. It involves a short survey and collecting a simple urine sample from your child. The program helps public health experts at the Minnesota Department of Health understand what chemicals kids may be exposed to – and how we can reduce them. Families receive a $40 gift card, a free private well testing kit, and will get their results by mail. All information is private and protected by Minnesota law.
To learn more, visit health.mn.gov/HealthyKidsMN.
Materials
Healthy Kids Minnesota: Chemical Information and Resources - MN Dept. of Health
Video – reading your child’s results
This video is for families who have participated in the Healthy Kids Minnesota program. It serves as a guide to help families understand their child's results.
health.state.mn.us/healthykidsvideo
What you can do
- Offer the program during Early Childhood Screening and ensure staff are informed.
- Use these toolkit materials in newsletters, websites, and social media.
- Help answer questions with the Q&A provided.
- Reach out to your local media contacts – MDH can work with you this.
- Share feedback on what messages work well in your community.