FAMILY ENGAGEMENT AND RELATIONSHIPS

Strong family engagement and other interpersonal relationships significantly contribute to the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and economies. Programs and policies developed to strengthen families and individuals help build strong relationships within supportive communities, and improve outcomes for children, families, and society. Extension provides well-researched, quality information about parenting and family relationships.

Upcoming Local Dane County Extension Events:

Raising a Thinking Child (RTC)

Raising a Thinking Child – This evidence-based series will help parents with children ages 4-7 to guide their child to solve common, everyday problems with decision-making and communication skills using their thinking brains. This refreshingly practical curriculum that helps you support your child in learning HOW to think, not what to think, as they learn to resolve their own problems. More information about the program can be found on the UW-Extension website.

Classes will be held online via Zoom, on Tuesdays from October 8 – November 12, 2024. Time options: 9-10:15 am or 6-7:15 am. Class is FREE for participants in Barron, Dane and Dunn County. However, there is a $25 fee if you live outside of these counties. Professionals can earn 12 hours of registry credit for attending the whole class – cost: $50.

Fall 2024 session: To register, CLICK HERE.

Triple P: Positive Parenting Program

Triple P: Positive Parenting Classes – Participants learn practical tools to raise thriving children and teens and deal with problem behavior. The topics vary depending on the age of child. To find a state-wide Triple P course online, you can go on UW-Extension website: CLICK HERE.

Below are local Dane County Triple P classes presented by UW-Extension. These classes are for any types of parents of caregivers and you can join any of the classes.

  • Triple P – Teen Seminar Series. For parents and caregivers of teens (12-16 yrs old): October 16, 23, 30. (Virtual via Zoom). Time options: 10-11:30 am or 6-7:30 pm. To register, CLICK HERE

Booster Parenting & Caregiver Programs

Easy Ways to Connect with Kids – Two-part series workshop where participants will learn and apply the 5 love languages and the benefits of reading to children so that it helps increase the parent-child bond. For any types of parents and caregivers with children ages 0-12.

  • Stay tune for future dates!

Teaching Children about Emotions – Two-part series workshop focusing on the importance of socioemotional development and learn a variety of strategies to support and manage your child’s emotions and feelings – the good and the bad ones! For any types of parents and caregivers with children ages 0-12.

  • Stay tune for future dates!

Co-Parenting Classes – The Resilient Co-Parenting classes are for parents or caregivers who are raising their children together while living apart. These classes are a source of ongoing support for co-parents as they continue their journey. Anyone can join! Classes are FREE and taught virtually from 7-8 pm. To learn more about the series offered by UW-Extension, click HERE. To register for any of the classes below, click HERE. Below are the upcoming session for the series:

  • October 3 – Mindful Money Practices
  • November 7 – Finding Your Families Rhythm
  • December 5 – Forgiveness for Moving Forward

Focus on Fathers Series – Open to all types of fathers! Come join this series with other fathers while learning to boost your child’s social and emotional skills. Classes are FREE and taught virtually online from 8-9 pm. To learn more about the series offered by UW-Extension, click HERE. Below are the upcoming dates and topics for the father series.

  • Stay tune for future dates!

Raising Wisconsin’s Children Series – Raising Wisconsin’s Children is a virtual and is any types of parents and caregivers caring for kids. This free, online conference provides supportive, practical parenting and child development information. All sessions are on the 3rd Thursdays of each month from 1-2 pm. To learn more or register for the sessions below, you can CLICK HERE. Below is a list of upcoming dates and topics for the series.

  • September 19 – Families + Screens
  • October 17 – Teens and Social Media
  • November 14 – Strengthening Family Bonds Through Traditions

Financial Well-Being Programs

Money Matter Series – Whether you are looking to set financial goals, make a spending plan (budget), learn ways to save money, or figure out how to keep your financial records, this FREE online series over Zoom is for you! Each session will be up to an hour long and will include a short presentation and lots of time for discussion and questions. There are 4 topics below for you to join! You can join one or as many sessions as you like. To register, CLICK HERE.

  • October 3 – Financial Goal Setting
  • October 10 – Budgeting – How to make a Spend Plan
  • October 17 – Saving Money
  • October 24 – Financial Record Keeping

RENT Smart – This is a FREE program and has 6 lessons. It focuses on the knowledge and skills essential for a successful renting experience. It challenges participants to know and understand their rights and responsibilities as a tenant, as well as know and understand the rights and responsibilities of their landlord. Emphasis is on forming a strong partnership between the tenant and landlord. Establishing a positive rental history is much like having a positive credit report and Rent Smart starts participants on the right path for success. Complete all 6 lessons and you could get a certificate of completion. More information about the program can be found HERE. Below are the options for in-person and online RENT Smart classes.

In-person Classes: Cancelled for September! Stay tune to possible future dates!

State-wide Online Classes: Classes are held online via zoom. You can CLICK HERE to register for the following online class dates and times.

  • September 2024 – Tuesdays & Fridays 9-10 am (Sept 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27)
  • October 2024 – Wednesdays & Thursdays 11 am – 12 pm (Oct 9, 10, 16, 17, 23, 24)
  • November 2024 – Saturdays 9-11:30 am (Nov 2, 9, 16)
  • December 2024 – Tuesdays & Thursdays 7-8 pm (Dec 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19)

Professional Development Opportunities

Brazelton Touchpoint Center – Provides online education, resources, and talks for families and childcare professionals. Topics varies and focuses on different touchpoints in child development, family dynamic, and communities.

  • Turtle Talk – Collectively Raising Indige-babies. This is a new 4-part series and is offered via virtual for FREE. This series explores the many ways in which families help their children grow their Native identities and connections with land, while navigating diverse systems of care and learning. Each episode is about 1.50 hr long on Fridays – May 24, Sept 13, Sept 27, and Oct 18, from 3-4:30 pm EST/ 12-1:30 pm PST/ 2-3:30 pm CST. More information can be found on the Brazelton website.

Other upcoming professional development events and opportunities:

  • October 7: Fit and Healthy Kids Series – Early Childhood Screening for Health. Early childhood screenings for vision, hearing, and developmental milestones are essential for ensuring optimal growth, development, and long-term health. Time: 7-8 pm (CST). To register go to: https://go.unl.edu/fhkonehour
  • October 11: Fathers in Focus Conference 2024 aims to serve as a pivotal platform for fathers across Wisconsin to converge, connect, and collectively address the challenges and successes they encounter in their roles. Through a panel discussion and a series of workshops facilitated exclusively by men and fathers, the conference endeavors to pinpoint and discuss the predominant issues impacting fatherhood in the state. This FREE conference provides a supportive environment for sharing experiences, insights, and resources by fostering open dialogue and collaboration between fathers, practitioners, and stakeholders. Location: Monona Terrace in Madison, WI. Time: 7:30 am – 5:00 pm. To register, CLICK HERE.
  • October 14-16: Wisconsin Perinatal Conference in Green Bay via Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care
  • November 4: Fit and Healthy Kids Series – Naturally Learning: Finding Curriculum in Outdoor and Nature Play. Increased outdoor and nature play in early childhood education programs have benefits for children, teachers, and the environment. Join the class to explreo learning opportunities hidingi n plain sight! Time: 7-8 pm (CST). To register go to: https://go.unl.edu/fhkonehour
  • December 2: Fit and Healthy Kids Series – Laying the Foundation Tools for Building Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health in Classroom. Explore the foundation of infant and early childhood mental health. You’ll learn practical strategies teachers can use in the classrooms and family engagement practices that support mental health in the family system. Time: 7-8 pm (CST). To register go to: https://go.unl.edu/fhkonehour

To find more parenting and caregiver classes online and state-wide, click on the Calendar button below and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the events calendar.

ONLINE RESOURCES

Anywhere Dads Podcast

A podcast about parenting for fathers who are incarcerated and their families from UW-Madison Division of Extension.

Home Alone

Is your child ready for self-care?  As children grow more independent, parents begin to consider the possibility of having them stay home alone rather than being cared for by others.  This can be a rewarding experience for children and parents, but only if the children are ready and prepared.

Extension Dane County offers an online program that educates parents and their children on readiness for self-care, home alone plans, safety, and alleviating fear and boredom when children are home alone.

Visit our Home Alone online program for more information. Parents and children should complete this entire program together. Click here for Home Alone (Español).

Just in Time Parenting (JITP)

This is a free parenting newsletter that is delivered by email and specific to a child’s age and needs. JITP is the result of ongoing partnership between several land-grant universities in the U.S. and is managed by a national board on which Wisconsin has representation. The newsletters are designed so that information that’s relevant to families is automatically delivered to them just in time! More information can be found at https://jitp.info/

Each newsletter issue includes:

  • Easy to use guides on how a child is developing
  • Tips on raising a healthy, happy child
  • Tools for solving common parenting problems
  • Strategies for coping with the challenges of raising children

Re-entry Ready Resources

Transitioning and re-entering the community can be difficult for individuals and families. This provides a variety of tips and resources you can use when re-entering back into the community.

Sesame Street

Activities, videos, and information for children and families impacted by the incarceration of a loved one.

Talking About Race

Many parents are asking how they can talk to their children about race. Please check out the following resources. The most important advice is to realize that parents can influence their children and provide the reassurance and information that is appropriate for their development.

Community Resources for Families

Dane County Organizations

4-C

Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc. (4-C) is part of a network of accredited, non-profit Wisconsin Child Care Resource & Referral agencies providing advocacy and support services for child care around Southern Wisconsin counties. More information can be found on their website at: https://www.4-c.org/

Babies & Beyond of WI, Inc.

Babies & Beyond s a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization supporting Madison-area families since 1982. All of our programs are free of charge to women, men and families. More information at https://babiesandbeyondwi.org/

Just Dane

JustDane is private, 501 (c) 3 non-profit agency that offers an array of direct service programs for individuals and families involved in the criminal justice system. These services include prison reentry programs and services for children who have an incarcerated parent, community events designed to help people understand what it’s like to walk in the shoes of someone newly released from prison, and jail and prison in-reach programs. More information on their website at https://justdane.org/ 

LOV Inc.

LOV Inc. is a family-led community in which we all mobilize our strengths and gifts to enrich the lives of people with disabilities and strengthen the civic life of the community as a whole. More information can be found on their website at: https://lovinc.org/ 

Urban League of Greater Madison

Provides resources and support for African Americans and other community members around education, and employment and empowers individuals to live well, advance professionally and contribute to the common good in the 21st Century. More information can be found on their website: https://ulgm.org/

UW-Madison Office of Childcare and Family Resource (OCCFR)

The Office of Child Care and Family Resources provides support and family resources for parents and returning UW parenting students. More information can be found on their website at: https://occfr.wisc.edu/

Waisman Center

The Waisman Center is dedicated to advancing knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases through research, training, services, and outreach for UW-Madison and the community. More information can be found on their website at: https://www.waisman.wisc.edu/about/

Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Program

The WIC Program works to improve the health of women, infants and children who may be nutritionally at risk by providing healthy foods, health information, and referrals to health care and community resources. More information can be found on their website!

Dane County Resources Guide

This guide provides resources throughout Dane County that may be helpful for those re-entering or just looking for more resources in the community. All information gathered in this guide was found via online searches or contacts who are connected to the resources. You can click on the guide below to view in PDF.

Dane County Resources Guide

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Contact Staff

Kula Yang, Family Relationships and Finance Educator (Hmong Bilingual)

UW-Madison, Division of Extension (Dane County)

5201 Fen Oak, Suite , Madison, WI

Email: kula.yang@wisc.edu/ Yang.Kula@danecounty.gov

Phone: 608-224-3700

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