Participant has ‘Second Chance at Motherhood,’ Receives Recognition for Overcoming Adversity
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.”
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.