Laura Acker grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and was the tenth of 11 children. She and her husband, Josh, moved to Alberton in 2004 and she is a parent educator with the Mineral County Health Department.

“We are so proud of Laura and her accomplishments! She has been an integral part of the growth of the home visiting program in Mineral County over the last ten years. The impact Laura has had on the families she works with is immeasurable,” beams April Quinlan, Parents as Teachers Program Supervisor. 

The Mineral County Parents as Teachers (PAT) program started in 2012. During the program lifespan, over 6,200 home visits have taken place among Mineral County families. Parents as Teachers supports families with the tools and resources needed to anticipate child development needs and approach parenting with confidence. Services are free to all Mineral County families from pregnancy through kindergarten completion.

Healthy communities begin with healthy families, which is something that Acker believes and breathes into her work. She is a certified lactation counselor, a child passenger safety technician, a birth doula, and a death midwife. All these certifications complement the work she does as a parent educator. Acker was also nominated to attend a training, hosted by the Montana State Library, where she learned how to deliver "Mother Goose on the Loose." After receiving training, she collaborated with community libraries to host developmentally appropriate story times for families with children 0-3 years.

“Laura is the first person on the team to step in and offer help when needed as well as take the lead on projects and events,” Quinlan shared. “She has been our longest-employed Home Visitor and has completed over 2,600 home visits during her employment. She is often heard saying ‘I love my job,’ and ‘I am so lucky to get to do this work.’  Our reply to this is ‘We are so lucky to have Laura in our community!”’

Laura and Josh now live in Superior with their three children. 

“I worked until my second child was born. At that point, it was a struggle to work and afford childcare so I did part-time work that I could bring my children along with me. My friends and family were a huge resource network for me, and I value the relationships my children had with my friends and other members of the community,” she said.  

Acker has spent many years and hours volunteering in her communities’ building skills that support the work she does today. She is a person who shows up to support a family regardless of the circumstances.

 “My advice to young parents in the community is to get involved and bring your children along with you,” she states. “It can be anything from community play groups to church to school events. Model involvement because it will build a sense of community and belonging for your children. Second, do something for yourself. Take an adult Ed course, exercise, hunt, therapy, or start something that you need that doesn't exist here. Demonstrate to your child that you are continually learning and growing as a human.”  

Not only has Acker expanded her personal educational toolbox, but she provides opportunities for parents to expand their own. 

“My hope for all Mineral County families is that they feel they belong and see the possibility in themselves. And that they know that they have a supportive social network to count on in times of need.”

Laura Acker will receive her 2024 Parent Educator of the Year award Oct. 14-17 at the Parents as Teachers International Conference in San Diego, California.