WC Wisconsin News

Tomah Health Community Foundation has extended its support to Families First of Monroe County by donating $2,500. The funds will be used for a pilot program aimed at improving parenting skills in the community. Jeremy Haldeman, vice president of the foundation, presented the check alongside board members Alex Egstad and Jenny McCoy.

Micaela Conlon-Bue, executive director of Families First, emphasized the importance of such donations. “We wouldn’t be able to do the work without it,” she stated. She also highlighted the value of community partnerships in ensuring family success.

Haldeman explained that supporting initiatives like this aligns with the foundation's mission to promote health and wellness in Monroe County. “We do it to serve our community, to help those in need,” he said.

Families First's program aims to teach parents new ways of interacting with their children through educational support and reflective practices. Conlon-Bue hopes to reach 46 families during the yearlong program and believes her team is well-prepared for this challenge.

She acknowledged that modern parenting presents unique challenges due to cultural shifts and expressed a desire to facilitate community discussions on these issues. Families First was established in 1994 by the Monroe County Planning Council to address unmet needs within the county.

The organization participates in a reunification task force addressing family separations due to Child Protective Services interventions. Conlon-Bue remarked on parents' potential for growth if they choose to engage with available resources.

An evaluation of the program’s effectiveness is planned for next June, focusing on models and best practices from current parenting programs. Interested parents can contact Families First at their Tomah office or by phone.