April 2026 grantee spotlight: Arrows Family Services 

A RURAL PROMISING PRACTICES HOME VISITING PROGRAM THAT GOES THE DISTANCE

Funded by the MDH Promising Practices grant, Arrows provides relationship-centered home visiting services for families who may be experiencing stress, isolation, or involvement with the child welfare system. Their staff provide direct support to families, often sitting together at their kitchen table to listen, offer encouragement, and work through challenges side by side.

Sometimes the most meaningful support begins with someone simply showing up. Serving families in rural Minnesota often requires traveling long distances to reach them. On many days, Arrows staff drive nearly 100 miles to connect with families who might otherwise have limited access to supportive parenting services. These visits provide space for:

Arrows Family Services staff, from left to right: Amanda, Shannon, and Susan.

• Encouragement and reassurance
• Practical parenting guidance
• Conversations about child development
• Support navigating stress and life challenges
• Strengthening parent-child relationships

Behind every home visit and community event is a team of dedicated family home visitors, Amanda, Shannon, and Susan, who believe deeply in the power of compassionate support. Whether traveling across counties, helping families navigate difficult moments, or celebrating small milestones along the way, Arrows staff show up with patience, empathy, and care.  

Arrow’s home visitors work alongside parents to nurture the protective factors that research shows help keep children safe and families strong. Each visit is centered on dignity, compassion, and the belief that families already hold many strengths within themselves. Over time, families gain confidence and stability that can be carried forward long after services end. Together, families build:

• Parental resilience during times of stress
• Social connections that reduce isolation
• Knowledge of parenting and child development
• Access to concrete supports when challenges arise
• Healthy parent-child attachment

In addition to home visits, Arrows hosts quarterly community events to bring families together in welcoming, supportive spaces. For many families, these events become a reminder that they are not alone. Their zoo day hosted more than 200 community members last year! These gatherings offer families opportunities to:

• Connect with other parents
• Participate in family-friendly activities
• Access local resources
• Build supportive relationships within their communities