Being a parent can be a tough job. That’s why Families First of Monroe County has begun a pilot program to assist residents throughout Monroe County become better parents thanks in part to a $2,500 donation from the Tomah Health Community Foundation July 2.
“We wouldn’t be able to do the work without it,” Families First of Monroe County executive director Micaela Conlon-Bue said of the donation. “I think it’s hugely important that the Tomah Health Community Foundation and other agencies like that are not only financially giving, but the community support on the whole, and being able to be partners is always really valuable for the success of our families.”
Foundation vice-present Jeremy Haldeman said the financial support fits the mission of the organization to assist groups that address the health and wellness of residents throughout Monroe County. “We do it to serve our community, to help those in need,” said Haldeman. “There is such a need in this community for people to be doing this and Families First is a great example of another great organization that’s trying to give back to our community and help people move along in the right direction.”
Conlon-Bue said Families First has developed a program model that allows families to complete educational support and reflective practices that teach parents new and alternative ways of interacting with their children. “What we’re trying to do is build a network of support for overcoming some of those things and understanding new and unique ways to address some of those challenges, and help families develop the skills and the resources that they need to make sure that their kids are successful.”
She said they hope to reach 46 families during the yearlong program. “It’s kind of a lofty goal. We are hopeful that we’ll be able to meet those needs. I’ve got great teams, and we want to see it be successful out of the gate.”
Conlon-Bue acknowledges that being a parent takes work and is different from the past. “I think that there’s a climate or kind of a disconnect between the lived experience for our kids today and the things that they have to overcome. The barriers that they have and the parenting that we were parented because some of the cultural norms have shifted. So even families who may not have experienced some of that, we still want to provide a platform for having those community discussions and providing additional information and additional approaches that may be more successful with today’s kids.”
Families First of Monroe County, Inc. was created in 1994 by the Monroe County Planning Council, a diverse group of professionals and concerned community members, to address the unmet needs of individuals and families in crisis living in Monroe County. The nonprofit has been participating in the Monroe County reunification task force which is a collaboration of providers and agencies that take part in the Child Protective Services processes that officials say can result in necessary family separations. “You can’t move unless you want to move. Parents who want to get better will get better, and it’s really fun because I think that the potential for a lot of growth quickly is available and present if they choose to pursue it,” she added.
Conlon-Bue said officials will evaluate the program next June to assess its success. “One of the ways that we’re really trying to target successes by using models and best practices of parenting programs and parenting approaches that are available for us today.” She said interested parents can reach out to Families First of Monroe County at their office at 1500 North Superior Avenue, in Tomah or call (608)374-4141.
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