Hlub Zoo, meaning “love well, grow well,” is a culturally specific, school-based mental health program for Hmong children provided through the Children and Family Mental Health Services division of the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation.

The program was created to help identify mental health issues and increase access to culturally appropriate support services for Hmong youth ages 8 to 13, in grades 2 through 6. The Hlub Zoo girls’ program was launched in January of 2010 at Jackson Preparatory Elementary School in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The program was expanded to boys in early 2011.

The Hlub Zoo program provides a holistic array of services, including: individual and group skills sessions, family support, crisis assistance, teacher consultation, and referral to community services. Programming and activities focus on helping Hmong youth build positive self-esteem, gain confidence and leadership skills, develop a positive bicultural identity, be engaged in school, and build healthy relationships with peers, family, and the community.

The program includes two service tracks for youth, depending on their individual needs – a non-clinical and clinical track. The non-clinical track serves all participants and provides support through weekly group counseling sessions, while the clinical track is available to youth with suspected mental health issues.