Partners Celebrate New
Youth Crisis Stabilization Facility
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A youth crisis stabilization facility is now open in Watertown, with about $3 million in support over three years, including start-up funding, provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). The eight-bed center at the Foundation-owned Matz Center is operated by Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Community Services under an agreement with the Jefferson County Human Services Department. The center serves young people with mental health challenges who can't stay in their homes safely, but don't need to be hospitalized.
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At the January 8th ribbon cutting, Jefferson County Human Services Director Brent Ruehlow stated: “Great relationships and partnerships are the key to any successful endeavor and the Matz Center is the best example of state, county, and non-profit collaboration I have been part of in my 25 years of public service.”
The Foundation is proud to play a part in this powerful collaboration that is improving the lives of children and families in our region. Now, kids who need a safe, temporary place can stay close to home instead of traveling to Wausau, Milwaukee... or even further afield (or being unable to access such a facility at all).
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Inspiring the Next Generation
of Early Care and Education Teachers
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Building a pipeline of future passionate, credentialed and caring early care and education educators is part of the Every Child Thrives network's strategy for addressing the childcare shortage.
Overall, we know that a broken business model means parent fees do not cover the true cost of care, putting pressure on centers to balance their books... sometimes at the expense of competitive wages and benefits. That is likely to change as local, state and federal leaders continue to grapple with solutions to the underlying challenge. In the meantime, we wanted to highlight some of the bright spots, innovators and opportunities here in Dodge and Jefferson Counties.
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High school employees
"We call them our apprentices," says Brenda Schumacher, Willows' Program Director and Internal Coach.
Kaydence, from Hustiford high school, works at Willows on her school breaks. Amelia and Avarie (pictured above) are home-schooled and work between 8 and 12 hours a week. Avarie is going on her second year with Willows. Amelia just joined the Willows team.
"They are our helping hands, while they are here," says Schumacher. "We have trained and continually mentor them in all of our classrooms, so they know the teachers, routines, schedules and children. An important part of their training is engaging them in the pyramid model framework with the teacher, families and children. While in the classroom they interact with the children, creating important relationships, and help clean-up during meals and learning center times."
Schumacher continues: "Our classroom teachers love having them in their classrooms, any extra hands are greatly appreciated and valued. It gives them the extra support that is needed in early education."
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Formal apprenticeships
Community Care Preschool and Child Care Inc. in Beaver Dam was recently featured in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article on apprenticeships. High school senior Rylee Dickinson works a three hour morning shift that earns her school credit toward graduation and a future associate's degree.
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Pathway to credentials, four-year degree
A Foundation grant, combined with tuition scholarships from Madison College, will allow future educators to earn their teaching credential and/or an associates degree free of charge in a virtual/in person blended format offered right here in Watertown.
Even better, the partnership with Madison College and UW Whitewater will provide a pathway for professionals working in early education to earn a bachelors degree at no cost.
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Spotlight:
Capacity Building Grants
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Last year, Foundation grants sent three organizations to the Wisconsin Nonprofit Summit, where they were able to discover new ideas, connect with other change leaders, and learn best practices.
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We empower community change leaders with the tools they need to build strong families and thriving communities, helping local organizations learn, grow, collaborate, and move their missions further. |
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Another great example of Capacity Building Grants in action is provided by Thrive Economic Development, which attended training from Housing and Urban Development.
This training enables Thrive ED to grow as our region's housing champion by providing counseling and workshops to first-time home buyers in Jefferson County at or below the median income for the county.
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How Can We Support Your Work? |
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The Foundation provides resources, tools and support to changemakers who work toward measurable improvement in community health. To date, the Foundation has invested more than $42.7 million in its three strategic, child-focused priorities: Strong Families, Kindergarten Readiness and School Success.
Capacity Building Grants are for agencies looking to advance their missions by developing leadership skills or strengthening organizational efforts.
Health Equity Grants support equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) projects or initiatives focused on removing obstacles to health for populations not well served under current systems and policies. The Foundation recognizes the dignity and value of every person, envisioning thriving communities where everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible.
Proposals must directly support the communities served by the school districts of Dodgeland, Hustisford, Ixonia, Jefferson, Johnson Creek, Lake Mills, Waterloo and Watertown.
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Leaders Meet to Grow Community-Wide Commitment to Pyramid Model |
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Early care and education leaders from nine childcare sites have started meeting regularly, along with the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health and the Foundation's Pyramid Model trainer and coach. The meetings are geared to enhance and reinforce community-wide commitment to the Pyramid Model.
The Pyramid Model is a framework that guides the understanding of social and emotional development in young children and the use evidence-based practices aimed at ensuring the best outcomes for babies, toddlers and young children. Dodge and Jefferson Counties have emerged as leaders in its implementation, both in Wisconsin and nationally.
Interested in learning more about the Pyramid Model?
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Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Surpasses Goals in 2023
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In 2023 the Foundation set a goal to boost the number of children signed up for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library by 25%. With help from our amazing partners, we more than doubled that achievement!
The Dolly Parton Imagination Library provides a specially-selected, high-quality book each month to participating children from birth to age five. Books are selected based on the child’s age, personalized with each child’s name, and mailed directly to their home each month to create an experience that makes books exciting and encourages families to spend time enjoying books together.
The program promotes early childhood literacy and fosters parent/caregiver-child interaction, which helps children learn the skills they will need for kindergarten.
Partners across Dodge and Jefferson Counties are actively engaged in this effort and include childcare providers, libraries, pediatricians, schools, health and human services, the YMCA, and Watertown Family Connections. Thank you for connecting children and families across our region to the joy of books.
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A Workspace for Changemakers |
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Central location.
Outstanding amenities.
Beautiful facility.
The Collective offers great, affordable rates and is a proud incubator space for entrepreneurs and nonprofits.
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What We're Reading (click on the links to access)
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This article from the Green Bay Press Gazette highlights some of the behavioral issues facing our schools and - no surprise to us! - the Pyramid Model is one of the evidence-based interventions turning the curve on these challenges
From Harvard University's Center on the Developing Child, a brief that lays out the impact of the early years on lifelong health and wellbeing, and summarizes the connection between early experiences and biological outcomes
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920.390.4000
672 Johnson Street, Suite 300, Watertown WI 53094
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