Providing Further Parenting Resources and Education

What is being done?

For several years the Families First New Beginnings program has offered education and support prenatally and through the first year of a child's life to parents who planned to give birth at Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County.   Lafayette County UW-Extension was one of the partners who secured additional grant funding in 2004 to allow for an expansion of the present program and new educational opportunities.  

Now Lafayette County parents who are planning to give birth at the Monroe Hospital will also be offered the existing prenatal and first year program.   The goal of the group is that someday all Lafayette County families will be offered the program regardless of where they plan to give birth.  

"Taming the Toddler" workshops have been developed to provide education to parents of young children beyond the first year of their child's life.   Three workshops will be offered throughout Lafayette County during the summer of 2004.   Parents attend with their toddler (s).    The Lafayette County Family Living Educator and New Beginnings Community Representative have teamed up to develop and conduct the workshops.

Why is this an issue?

The Lafayette County Juvenile Intake Office has seen a 50% increase in the number of referrals they received from 2001 to 2002. The Sheriff Department has seen an increase in underage drinking and marijuana and methamphetamine use. The Sheriff and other key informants agree that these negative trends extend from a need for improved parenting.

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