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, a regional nonprofit with a 20-year history of serving children and families, seeks a dynamic team player to fulfill the role of Development and Communications Coordinator.
This full-time professional position reports directly to the Executive Director, working closely to meet development goals and manage donor relations. Position responsible for fundraising, including major donor cultivation, special events, planned giving, and database management. Communication responsibilities include preparation and editing of external/internal communications, management of website content, social media, quarterly newsletter and annual report. Bachelor’s degree in related field and 3-5 years of progressive fund development achievement required.
This position includes travel in the three-county area. Occasional evening and weekend commitments. Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley is an equal opportunity employer. Competitive compensation package includes flexible schedule; 403(b) contribution; HRA; Flex Plan; Short-term Disability.
Send cover letter and resume via email to executivedirector@frcscv.org. Include Development and Communications Position in the subject line. Applications accepted until position is filled.
Board President Mary Sue Ash launched the January meeting with her vision for Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley in the coming year. She said three words encapsulated her vision:
Harmony
Enthusiasm
Wisdom
I have reflected on how those three words can guide our team in fulfilling our mission to strengthen children, families and communities.
Harmony: The quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole.
As a team, we work together to identify and follow best practices—so that all the families we serve get the best that we can give. We are in the throes of a Quality Endorsement Improvement Process—working together to document our performance on 100 quality indicators. Our goal is to achieve Blue Ribbon affiliate status by Parents as Teachers—the research and evidence-based home visiting model that guides our work.
We collaborate every day with United Way and other nonprofits, hospitals, and state and county agencies to serve families. Our Play & Learn Classes for toddlers and their parents are made possible through the cooperation of eight community organizations who offer space, and in some cases, staff support. We participate on several human-service-related committees and coalitions to work in harmony and keep abreast of available resources and trending issues.
Enthusiasm: Intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or approval.
It is truly a pleasure to work with individuals that are passionate and enthusiastic about their work with children and families and community partners. Our staff brings a strengths-based approach to our work. They raise the confidence of parents, helping them be their child’s first and best teacher. If you ever need a shot of enthusiasm stop by a Play & Learn Class when 12 children and their parents are wrapping up the session singing Grand Ol’ Duke of York.
And it’s remarkable to see enthusiasm of the community in supporting this important work. Just last week Donna and Pat Hayes sponsored their 12th Liquor Haus wine tasting event—for which they donate all ticket sale proceeds to the Family Resource Center. The crowd at the Phoenix in Baldwin enjoyed great wine, food and great company. Community enthusiasm from this event has raised a total of $80,000 over 12 years of enthusiastic support!
Wisdom: The quality of having experience, knowledge, and good judgment; the quality of being wise.
Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley celebrated 20 years of service in 2019. Every day I witness examples of how the board and staff contribute to the organization’s strength, stamina and agility. Recently St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knudson, a board member, shared his wisdom about safety in a training with our parent educators and our invited guests, home visitors from Head Start.
This month we say farewell to parent educator Julia Kannel, who has served Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley with wisdom, enthusiasm and harmony, for more than five years. We wish Julia all the best in her new role at Pierce County.
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).
Chad and Heidi Fett have been active supporters of Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley since Chad joined the Board of Directors in 2014. Chad is a Senior Vice President at First State Bank and Trust, and says he was motivated to be a part of the Family Resource Center because of the direct return on investment. “Education, energy and funding put into our children has both an immediate and long-term positive effect on our children and communities,” said Chad, who is in his sixth year of service on the board and served as Board President in 2018. He and his wife Heidi have participated in the annual Reach for the Stars gala as well as other special events and projects, including UWRF-Bowls for Hope and the expansion of the Baldwin office space.
“As the 2018 board president Chad was always there to lend guidance and support, said executive director Agnes Ring. “He brings thoughtfulness, humor, and a great appreciation for the parent educators on the front lines of our work. The building expansion project was a major undertaking last year. Chad rallied the board members to share in the hands-on labor of priming, painting, and laying out the ceiling. We are so lucky to have both Chad and Heidi as great ambassadors of our annual Reach for the Stars gala event!”
Heidi joined the Reach for the Stars gala planning committee in 2017 and has helped to plan raffles, arrange catering and generally do whatever is needed. “I am grateful for the creativity and perspective Heidi brings to the committee,” said Development & Communications Coordinator Kristin Thompson. “She has good ideas and is always game to try something new. I also appreciate her positivity and great sense of humor.”
Chad and Heidi both said they enjoy hearing first-hand from parent educators and as well as parents who have participated in programming. A recent success story that stands out for them is that of a grandparent who received home visits while providing temporary foster care for his granddaughter. His parent educator provided him with basic infant care information, education on use of baby equipment and supplies, and help understanding developmental stages and milestones. “The parent educators are heart of the organization,” said Chad.
Are you interested in volunteering? We can use both regular and occasional support with programming, fundraising, cleaning, preparing supplies and materials, and special projects. Call Kristin at 715-684-4440 to learn more.
On Friday February 15th, OEM Fabricators was honored by the Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association for their work supporting Early Childhood and Families. RoxAnne Forrest, who is a Program Assistant for the University Child Care Center at UW-Stevens Point presented the award and highlighted OEM’s work with the Family Friendly Workplace Certification Project and Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley. In her comments while presenting the award, RoxAnne noted that the organization is encouraging other employers to follow OEM’s lead in supporting Early Childhood and Families.
Becky Helf, who serves as the Association’s President nominated OEM for the Award and in her nomination mentioned OEM’s participation in the Governor’s Early Childhood Advisory Council where she also serves.
OEM’s president Mark Tyler accepted the award on behalf of OEM. He said that “There is no more important role for all of us than creating a foundation for success in our children.”
“We are grateful for Mark’s leadership in early childhood issues—both regionally and statewide,” said Family Resource Center Executive Director Agnes Ring. “Through directly supporting our work with families, OEM Fabricators is investing in improved outcomes for children and families today, which has an impact for generations to come.”
The Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association began in 1976 and their main motivation is the need for an organization to be committed to the promotion of excellence in child care administration.
The 12th annual Liquor Haus Wine Tasting will be held at the Phoenix Grill and Event Center on Thursday, February 7 from 5:30-9 p.m. The annual event was moved to the Phoenix in 2018 after being hosted for 10 years at the Historic Woodside Place. The number of wines available to be sampled will top 50 this year, and guests will enjoy a variety of hors d’oeuvres from the Phoenix.
“Donna Hayes does an amazing job bringing the community together for a great cause at the annual Liquor Haus wine tasting event,” said Agnes Ring, executive director of Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley. “We are honored to receive the support generated by community members and area businesses through this local night out!”
In addition to an exceptional spread of wine and food, there will be samples of American Yeoman Vodka from Perlick Distillery, located in Sorona, WI. Guests may also try Bon & Viv spiked seltzer, and craft cocktail samples such as the Moscow Mule and Cosmopolitan from Minnesota-based Joia Spirit. An additional highlight is the opportunity to meet winemaker Matthew Rawn from Two Mountain Winery, located in Washington’s Yakima Valley.
Reservations are required by contacting Donna at 715-684-2578 or 715-684-4384 or stopping in at the Liquor Haus on Hwy 63 in Baldwin. Tickets are $50 with all proceeds benefiting Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley, a nonprofit organization providing programs and services to families in Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties.
Board president Chad Fett welcomed nearly 40 guests at the ‘reunion’ luncheon.
Current and former board and staff gathered recently to mark a milestone: Family Resource Center St. Croix Valley’s anniversary of forming as a nonprofit organization serving families in St. Croix County in 1998. Board President Chad Fett welcomed attendees to the ‘reunion’ luncheon and thanked past board presidents and executive directors for their leadership and dedication. Sharon Reyzer, long-time public health nurse and founding board member, shared stories about the early days – of mismatched furniture hauled in a borrowed horse trailer, no staff, and a $25,000 grant. Reyzer facilitated the first young parent group as a volunteer.
Fast forward 20 years to a staff of 12 and a recent office expansion, the Family Resource Center provides programming in Pierce, Polk and St. Croix counties, and is involved in statewide quality improvement initiatives for home visiting. The organization has received national recognition by Parents as Teachers for its innovative model of service delivery that includes strategic partnerships with health care organizations, social services, colleges and universities, and United Way St. Croix Valley.
Former executive director Patty Draxler and St. Croix Valley Foundation president Heather Logelin, who was a Family Resource Center board member from 2007-2013.
All three executive directors were present for the event – Tami McManus, who was hired as the first Family Resource Center director; Patty Draxler, who led the staff from 2003-2017, and Agnes Ring, who has served as director since May 2017. Agnes praised the wisdom of the organization’s founders in implementing an evidence-based program from year one, which continues to impact families early in their child’s lives. “The kids who were first here are now in their twenties,” she said. “Teen parents are now in their thirties.”
Founding board member Mary Sue Ash first joined the board while still employed in Pupil Services at Baldwin-Woodville School District. After her retirement, she became actively involved in building the Success By 6 initiatives in partnership with United Way St. Croix Valley. “The early years are the most important years of our life, and what we experience then often stays with us,” said Mary Sue. “Parent interaction builds a child’s brain connections. Parents are a child’s first teacher and have the most influence over kids.” Mary Sue thanked those in attendance for helping to create an organization that is valued, visible and vibrant. “Each of you, in your own way, has made that possible.”
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.
