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Family Resource Center provides immeasurable support

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Amanda Nagel, parent educator at the Crossing Rivers Health Family Resource Center, proudly showcases one of the car seats as well as the wide variety of developmental and educational toys that parents, grandparents and other patrons can check out there. (Photo by Correne Martin)

By Correne Martin

Helping families be the best they can be for little or no cost, the Crossing Rivers Health-Family Resource Center is one of Prairie du Chien’s best kept secrets. Family Resource Center services are available to everyone, regardless of income, status or location.

The Family Resource Center opened 25 years ago in downtown Prairie du Chien with a grant from the Children’s Trust Fund. It has since operated as a service of Crossing Rivers Health. For some time, its office was in the basement of Crossing Rivers Health Daycare Center (formerly Wee Care) and, in 2001, it moved to its current home at 800 East Taylor Street. In July of 2011, the Children’s Trust Fund grant system was restructured and the grant was unable to be maintained. At that time, Crossing Rivers Health began fully supporting the Family Resource Center, allowing the services to continue and the community needs to be met.

The resources offered at the center can help fulfill nearly any need or wish parents might have. These include parenting classes, parent support groups, parent and child bonding, toy and resource lending library, equipment loan program, car seat rentals and installation, and Safe Sitter classes. Family Resource Center also offers a Warmline which can be your link to non-emergency support on the day-to-day challenges of child rearing. The Warmline provides confidential sharing and emotional support from an empathetic and objective listener.

Family Resource Center partners with Crawford County Human Services to provide additional resources and services to help families become more equipped to be the best family they can be.  The UW-Extension, United Way of PdC Area, Walmart, the Royal Neighbors of Bagley, local churches and families also supports the center with resources to enhance family programs.

“We’re here for parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and child care providers from the first stages of pregnancy through the teenage years,” stated Amanda Nagel, the Family Resource Center’s parent educator.

Through the center’s toy and resource lending library, as well as its equipment loan program, families may check out toys of all sizes and interests, books, DVDs, porta-cribs, life jackets, baby swings, bicycle helmets, high chairs, booster seats, safety gates, strollers and more on a short-term basis. Infant, convertible and booster car seats are also available. Deposits are required for larger items.

“Especially some of our larger equipment, people don’t realize we have it to loan. Our loan items are easy to check out, and we have a great variety of items that are in nice condition,” Nagel said. “It’s a great resource for families looking to obtain the larger items in a very economical way. It’s also very popular with grandparents, who have the grandkids home on occasion and don’t have things like swings and strollers around their house.”

Appointments are needed for free car seat installations, and Nagel, who is the only certified car seat technician in Crawford County, is more than happy to do so. In fact, she takes great pride in assisting with safe installation, correctly fitting the child to the seat and providing advice on purchasing a seat. Nagel said she helps install about 10 to 15 car seats per month and has been doing so for about eight years.
“I can look up car seat specs and make sure it’s the best fit for the vehicle, advise parents on the laws about rear-facing or forward-facing, and more,” she noted.

The Family Resource Center’s strong focus on fortifying families is also evident in its classes and support groups. Parenting classes encourage creation of a nurturing home for families, positive behavior management, clear communication, stress management and more. Through support groups, such as Taylor Street Tots Playgroup and Moms Like Me, anywhere from six to 30 families come together to connect with other caregivers, parents and moms regarding the trials and joys of parenting.

The Taylor Street Tots Playgroup is a parent-led group where parents, grandparents and providers and children can enjoy art, songs, stories and playtime. This is also a special time for adults to socialize, while the children play. There’s no need to call ahead; just drop in Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11. About 30 different families participate in this group, but an average of only six to eight come consistently to each session.

“Mom’s Like Me support group is structured for mom’s to know they’re not alone,” Nagel said. “The mom’s determine what they would like to do at the start of each session. Some of the different topics include financial management, gardening, quilting, relaxation and family education.”

In addition, specialty classes, such as Strengthening Families, Blended Families, Safe Sitter, CPR and shaken baby syndrome training are offered from time to time at a low cost.

The Family Resource Center’s hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During business hours, a non-emergency Warmline is also available for support on the day-to-day challenges of child rearing by calling (608) 357-2135.

For more information, call (608) 357-2135 or to sign up for the quarterly newsletter, email frc@crossingrivers.org and put in subject line “sign-up for newsletter” or find Family Resource Center-Crossing Rivers Health on Facebook.

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