Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley, a regional nonprofit with a 21-year history of serving children and families, seeks a dynamic team player to fulfill the role of Parent Educator.
The successful candidate will work with families prenatally to kindergarten, providing evidence-based programming through personal home visits including virtual (phone and video) and facilitating group interactions as well as providing community outreach. Family Resource Center provides parent education and resource referral in Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties.
This full-time position includes significant travel in the three-county area. Occasional evening and weekend commitments.
Bachelor’s degree required in Social Services; Human Development and Family Studies; Early Childhood, or related field. Spanish speaking a plus. Experience preferred. Reliable transportation, valid driver’s license and car insurance required. Paid home-visiting and related parent education certification training provided. Travel cost is reimbursed.
Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley is an equal opportunity employer. Competitive compensation package includes flexible schedule; retirement contribution; HRA; Flex Plan; Short-term and Long-term Disability. Send cover letter and resume via email to Executive Director, executivedirector@frcscv.org. IncludeParent Educator Position 2020in subject line.
Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley is pleased to be partnering again with Thrivent Financial to hold a ‘Give a Child a Book’ board book drive. Every new or gently used board book contributed will be shared with families participating in the Family Resource Center’s Home Visiting program. Thrivent member and Marlys Berrevoets is sponsoring the event and has received a grant to purchase $250 in new books as part of the project.
“Reading is so important,” said Marlys. “I’m pleased to support this book drive to help make sure moms and dads can start reading early with their young children.”
In 2018, over 1,000 books appropriate for infant, toddler and preschool age were contributed through the book drive, with support from numerous individuals, businesses, and community groups. Several community locations have been identified as donation drop-off sites for this year, including First National Community Bank in New Richmond, Hazel Mackin Community Library in Roberts, St. Croix Electric Cooperative in Hammond, Thrivent Financial – Joan Bartz in Glenwood City, and the Family Resource Center office in Baldwin. Donations are requested by the end of March. For additional information, please contact us at 715-684-4440 or info@frcscv.org.
Amanda enrolled in home visiting when her son Liam was about 9 months old. She was eager to learn about his developmental stages; an only child herself, she did not have much experience being around other children. When Liam was a toddler, he began to show some delays in gross and fine motor as well as communication and problem solving.
Amanda’s parent educator Robbyn gave her ideas of activities to do and referred her to the school district early childhood program. Robbyn also provided support with discipline and encouraged daily reading. “I was so frustrated, he would just run around when I read – I couldn’t even get through a page!” Amanda recalled. Robbyn reassured her to just keep reading, and he would come around.
At a recent home visit, Liam – now in 4K – squealed in delight when Robbyn brought a Dinosaur ABC book to the home; he was quick to point out which dinosaur on the cover was the friendly one. He rolled out green playdough (his favorite color) and picked up cookie cutters in the shape of letters, excitedly practicing all the letter sounds. Robbyn had joined the family for a recent meeting at school, and reported that his teacher said, “she has never seen a child go that far that fast!”
Liam continues with some speech therapy at school and is on track to start kindergarten in the fall. At the end of a recent screening for social and emotional development, Robbyn asked Amanda and her significant other what they enjoy most about Liam, to which they both immediately replied that he is kind. While his other developmental progress is something to be proud of, strong social emotional skills can perhaps be considered his greatest success.
According to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the nation’s largest philanthropic organization dedicated to improving health in the United States, there is extensive scientific evidence showing that a child’s social-emotional skill development provides an essential foundation for social, behavioral and academic success in school. Home visitation is identified as an important strategy for increasing parental skills and responsiveness. Learn more at https://www.rwjf.org, keyword SEL (social emotional learning).
When participant Kat and her family moved to St. Croix Falls, her husband Eric has just started a new job and their son Liam was 4 months old. A native of the United Kingdom, Kat had struggled with mental health prior to Liam’s birth, and complications during pregnancy and birth intensified her depression. Post-delivery, she felt isolated and unable to bond with her baby. “I didn’t love him,” said Kat. “I didn’t understand how a person couldn’t love her child.” She began counseling and medication and was referred to Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley for support with parenting and child development. During her first home visit, parent educator Robbyn began playing with Liam, and even though Kat resisted at first, Robbyn drew her in. “I warmed up,” she said. “Robbyn showed me how to begin bonding with him.”
After several home visits, Eric and Kat brought Liam to Baby & Me. Kat recounted meeting mom Dani and her daughter Sara; they began talking and realized their babies had the same birthday. “I realized later that it was the first time I had felt excited talking about him,” said Kat. At first, she didn’t want to share with other parents, but as she started to open up, Kat realized she had lost herself. “Participating in the group helped me to think positively,” said Kat. “I started wanting to do more things. Meeting other moms was key.”
When Liam and Sara turned a year, it was time to move on to Play & Learn. Kat was nervous about making the transition to a new group but having Dani there for support made all the difference. She said it also helps that the kids get along so well. “They’ve known each other since 5 months old, [so] they don’t know a time without each other.”
“I can safely say that I love him now,” Kat stated. “We’ve grown by leaps and bounds together.”
Mental illnesses are common in the United States, with tens of millions of people affected each year. Parents experiencing postpartum depression can feel extreme sadness, anxiety and exhaustion, which can make it difficult to care for an infant or care for themselves. If you feel you may be experiencing symptoms of depression, contact your health care provider.
Children and their parents enjoy painting at a recent Play & Learn class. (Photo credit: Ashley Bruggeman)
With autumn in the air, many parents have been sending children off to school on the bus each morning. Families with younger children are enjoying new routines as well, with the start of programs like Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley’s Play & Learn.
Play & Learn groups are available to families in nine locations across the St. Croix Valley. These classes provide an opportunity for toddlers and preschoolers to interact with their parents and other children their age. Parents can also discuss parenting strategies, dilemmas and everyday happenings with a parent educator and other parents going through similar situations. Groups are weekly, 90-minute classes facilitated by a Family Resource Center parent educator, and include guided play, a story and activities, and parent discussion on a different topic each week.
Participant Kim Tan first participated in Play & Learn when her oldest was a toddler. Now she attends with both of her children, ages 3 and almost 1. She enjoys the socialization opportunities for her children, and the chance to connect with other moms and dads – both receiving support with anything she may be struggling with or offering advice to others if she has gone through a similar situation. She says her family especially enjoys the messier crafts and sensory activities that she is less likely to take on at home, like moon sand or frozen paint.
Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley strengthens children, families, and communities by offering education, resources, and support. The organization also offers weekly Baby & Me groups, a play and discussion hour for parents and their infants, in partnership with six area hospitals as part of United Way St. Croix Valley’s Success By 6 initiative. Home Visiting is another program that provides individualized parent support and education through twice monthly visits; parent educators provide age-appropriate child development information, parent-child play ideas, developmental screenings, and opportunities for parents to discuss parenting topics. Young Parent groups are available for any teen who is pregnant or parenting. Young moms and dads receive support from parent educators as well as their peers, and can receive high school credit through participation in activities, discussions and written assignments. Young parents can be referred to the program by their high school guidance counselors or county agencies, or they can sign up by contacting the Family Resource Center directly.
United Way and other community partners provide needed support for groups and classes. “We are proud to partner with health care organizations, social service agencies, school districts and libraries across our service area of Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties,” said Family Resource Center’s executive director Agnes Ring. “Support from United Way St. Croix Valley is pivotal to ensuring families have access to programs and services.” The organization has been a funded partner of United Way since 2005.
‘Play & Learn in the Parks’ is a perennial summer favorite for many families who participate in Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley playgroups. Each year, parents and children enjoy outdoor art, sensory activities and active play at three St. Croix Valley parks. In addition to promoting outdoor play, the summer program encourages parents to incorporate more fresh, local produce into their families’ diets. A highlight for many is the June planting activities led by St. Croix Valley Master Gardener and Family Resource Center board member Barbara Nelson. This year, children planted containers with marigolds, peas and beans.
Parent Kim Tan participates in Play & Learn year-round, and says her family especially enjoys the messier crafts and sensory activities that she is less likely to take on at home, like moon sand or frozen paint. They also enjoy the stories and circle time; she notes that while her toddler Nakula may not always sing along with the group, she observes him singing and doing the fingerplays at home.
Family Resource Center also offered ‘Plant & Pick’ farm tour field trips during July at Threshing Table Farm in Star Prairie. Participants in both home visiting and playgroups were able to sign up for the outings, and a total of 44 children and their parents or caregivers attended. This project received funding from the St. Croix Valley Foundation. Families learned about a variety of crops and had the chance to pick their own produce as part of the tour. “This is a great way to show my kids how our veggies get here!” said one mom. “Such an awesome way to live!”
Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy frozen paint on a warm summer day in Centuria.
With the fall season upon us, staff is preparing to resume Play & Learn in nine locations throughout Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties. These parent-child groups are open to any family at no cost, and include guided playtime, snack and story, parent discussion and circle time/activity. Space is limited; registration begins Monday, August 27 by calling 715-684-4440, and the 10-week fall session starts the week of September 10.
There are also two fall field trips planned, open to any family with children from prenatal to school entry; we’ll visit an apple orchard and a pumpkin patch in early October. Follow us on Facebook or visit our website for details – we hope to see you this fall!
Participant Rochelle first learned about Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley when she gave birth to her second child at St. Croix Regional Medical Center, and a parent educator visited her hospital room. She was eager to learn about programs available to her and new baby Nolan. Rochelle had participated in Early Childhood programs in Minnesota after the birth of her older son, who is now in high school. Over the past two years, Rochelle and Nolan have participated in Home Visiting, Baby & Me, and Play & Learn. “[These programs are] extremely beneficial and exciting to me since my children are about 14 years apart. I feel like I am a first-time mom again.”
Rochelle said one of her favorite Family Resource Center program topics is the importance of exposing young children to different sensory opportunities. She learned to engage the senses of touch, smell, taste, sight and hearing through play. “Surprisingly, sensory play encourages versatile eating habits,” said Rochelle. She appreciates the adult interaction and socialization from parent-child groups and home visits with parent educator Kristine Brede. “[Family Resource Center programs] not only help me connect to other community resources, it helps me connect to other engaged mothers. I actually have plans to go on an outing with another mom in my playgroup.”
Rochelle agreed to share her experiences at the Family Resource Center’s Reach for the Stars gala this past April. “If I’m going to share my full story, I’m going to be honest. I struggled with drug addiction for almost 20 years. I was a high school dropout, did many different kinds of drugs, and made lots of poor choices. At 22, I had my first son. I quit using during my pregnancy, and remained sober for about a year-and-a-half after he was born.” When Rochelle began using again, she struggled to meet her family’s basic needs. “When it came to losing the running water in an abandoned house my son and I lived in, I gave my son to my mom.”
“My life was a downward spiral for the next 9 years. When I hit rock bottom, I was offered the drug court program in March 2014. I completed it successfully and graduated in January 2016. I have been sober for 4 years. I am currently living my best life and was given a second chance at motherhood with Nolan…. I’ve gained the trust and support of my family and have rebuilt my mother/son relationship with [my older son]. Today I get to enjoy being a parent, being Nolan’s first teacher. Watching him learn from me is so rewarding.”
Rochelle serves as a co-presenter in training service providers in the Protective Factors.
In 2017, parent educator Kristine had the chance to participate in the ‘train the trainer’ workshop on Bringing the Protective Factors to Life in Your Work, made possible by a grant from the Wisconsin Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Board. The training program included a leadership opportunity for a parent co-presenter to undergo training and participate in training others. Rochelle stepped up to the challenge. “The Protective Factors are five strengths that make families stronger,” said Kristine. “Research has shown that these factors contribute to healthy child development and family well-being, and prevent child abuse and neglect. I recommended Rochelle for the co-presenter role because of the challenges she has overcome.”
A series of three workshops focused on the Protective Factors Framework has been presented to a group of Polk County service providers this spring. Another training (dates and location to be determined) will be offered later this year.
The Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board will be kicking-off a public awareness campaign in July with a new website for parents and caregivers to promote the protective factors that keep every family strong.
Four communities in Wisconsin, including St. Croix County, have been selected for additional marketing, such as billboards and a movie preview ad.
Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley is pleased to partner with Thrivent Financial to hold a ‘Give a Child a Book’ board book drive. Every new or gently used board book contributed will be shared with families participating in the Family Resource Center’s Home Visiting program. Thrivent member and Family Resource Center board member Barbara Nelson is sponsoring the event, and has received a grant to purchase a book for each one donated.
“I’m pleased to be able to provide extra support to families through this project,” said Barbara. “Promoting literacy from birth is a key component of Family Resource Center programming. I am hopeful that matching support from Thrivent will help inspire our community to give generously.”
The goal of the project is to collect at least 100 books appropriate for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Books will be collected from mid-February until the end of March. Please contact the Family Resource Center at 715-684-4440 or info@frcscv.org if your business or civic group would like to participate in the book drive. We are also looking for community locations that are willing to be a drop-site for donations. Thank you for your support!
Family Resource Center staff recently met with Western Wisconsin Health to discuss strategies for increasing patient referral to home visiting prenatally.
New this year, Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley has become a grantee of the Wisconsin Family Foundations Home Visiting Program. Through this program, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Family Foundations Home Visiting Program will reimburse Family Resource Center for a portion of its costs.
“Family Resource Center staff and board have spent years preparing for this opportunity,” said Executive Director Agnes Ring. “It was a very competitive process to be selected as one of 30 programs in Wisconsin. We continually meet rigorous accreditation standards as an affiliate of the evidence-based Parents as Teachers model, and participate in statewide continuous improvement initiatives for home visiting. This support will allow us to expand, reaching more families in our service area.”
Family Foundations is a grantee of the federal Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) Program. Aligning with state and federal objectives will result in some changes in the Family Resource Center’s Home Visiting program over time. The most significant change is a goal of enrolling 75 percent of participants in the program prenatally.
Research and best practice recommend making home visiting services to pregnant women early in their pregnancies to maximize positive outcomes, such as:
Improved maternal and child health;
Reduction of child injuries, child abuse and neglect and child maltreatment, and emergency department visits for children and mothers;
Improvement in school readiness and achievement;
Reduction in domestic violence;
Improvement in family economic self-sufficiency; and
Improvements in the coordination and referral for other community resources and supports.
To accomplish the goal of reaching more families prenatally, the organization is looking to established partnerships for support – specifically, partner hospitals and clinics, physician groups, and county health and human service agencies. “There has been a very warm reception to the concept among the Family Resource Center’s partners,” said Ring.
Western Wisconsin Health in Baldwin is among partners eager to work closely with the Family Resource Center in a pilot project. Director of Women’s Health Services Stephanie Johnson serves as a member of the organization’s Board of Directors, and is enthusiastic about the new direction for services. “We are excited to partner with Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley in building a process that creates seamless prenatal identification and referral of those families who will benefit from the programs and resources the Family Resource Center offers,” she said. “The key to establishing this early relationship is families and parent educators navigating through the pregnancy course together, ensuring all available needed resources are utilized. The trust and bond of this early relationship will encourage more families to take part in the amazing parent education programs offered post birth encouraging family health and well-being. In turn this will benefit our community by having empowered families parenting our future.”
To learn more about the Family Resource Center’s programs for families and eligibility for the Home Visiting program, please call 715-684-4440.
Every week, parents and babies gather at Baby & Me to share their joys and concerns from the week. Often, parents come with questions about feeding or sleeping, and are excited to share news of a recent milestone, such as crawling, clapping and learning to wave. Parents discuss a topic related to child development or parenting, ranging from baby sign language to family traditions, and end the hour singing and playing with their babies.
Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley offers Baby & Me groups weekly in six locations in partnership with area hospitals as part of United Way St. Croix Valley’s Success By 6 initiative. Family Resource Center parent educator Kristine Brede facilitates the group on Thursday evenings at Osceola Medical Center. She says it has been rewarding to see the families form relationships with each other through their participation in the group. “I love having both mothers and fathers participating and singing the songs together! It has also been great to see the families connect outside of the group,” said Kristine. “They have created great friendships for the adults as well as the children.”
Kat Benti of St. Croix Falls participates in the group with her eight-month-old son Liam. She said, “I come to this class because it’s a fantastic opportunity for my son to socialize with other babies as well as me to meet other moms.” She added that they have enjoyed learning new games and songs at Baby & Me, and that the class has helped Liam with his gross motor skills.
Dr. Nicole Smith, family medicine provider at Osceola Medical Center, is an enthusiastic supporter of the Family Resource Center’s programs for families. “Baby & Me classes provide a wonderful opportunity for parents – especially first-time parents – to discuss their child’s development and milestones with a parent educator and other parents,” said Dr. Smith. “The group fosters the development of a support system with other parents, and their ‘learning through play’ approach also is instrumental in a baby’s development.”
In addition to Osceola Medical Center, our Success By 6 partners include Allina Health, Amery Hospital & Clinic, St. Croix Regional Medical Center, Western Wisconsin Health and Westfields Hospital & Clinic. Baby & Me groups are open to all families with infants up to 1 year, and there is no cost to participate.
