Founded in 1998, the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley is a nonprofit organization that offers free parent education and family support to families in Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties. Our mission is to strengthen children, families, and communities by offering education, resources, and support. There is no cost for families to participate in groups or home visits. We are funded by private grants, contracts, and donations. In addition, the Family Resource Center is a funded partner of United Way St. Croix Valley and Success By 6 vendor.
Our mission is to strengthen children, families, and communities by offering education, resources, and support.
History
A 1998 assessment by the St. Croix County Department of Health and Human Services and University of Wisconsin-Extension identified a need for increased support for local families with young children, especially teen parents. In response, the Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley was formed and obtained our 501(c)(3) non-profit status in 1998. With an original name of St. Croix Family Resource Center, the organization initially served only St. Croix County before expanding services to include Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix Counties and changing its name to Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley in 2006. Our main office remains on Main Street in Baldwin, but Family Resource Center group meetings and home visits occur throughout Pierce, Polk, and St. Croix counties.
Program and Services
Strong early childhood education benefits everyone—children, families, and, ultimately, the communities to which they belong. That’s why Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley programs are available at no cost to any family with children prenatal until school entry. Designed to strengthen and empower parents by promoting healthy child development during the critical early childhood years, our programs promote optimal child development and positive parent-child relationships. Services include hospital and Home Visits, development screenings, Baby & Me and Play & Learn groups, parent education, resource networks, and a Young Parent Program.
Parents as Teachers Curriculum
Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley’s programs are based on the Parents as Teachers model. Parents as Teachers is a nationally-recognized research- and evidence-based curriculum that operates with the mission to provide the information, support, and encouragement parents need to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life. Family Resource Center parent educators undergo training to become certified in the Parents as Teachers curriculum and maintain their certifications with continuing education.