Parents & Families
Child Emotional & Mental Health
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Family Strengthening Month Toolkit
April is designated as National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, in Wisconsin we celebrate April as Family Strengthening Month. Each year the Prevention Board partners with the Department of Children and Families and Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin (PCAW) to create a toolkit filled w
ith ideas, activities and resources to encourage community-based prevention efforts in April and throughout the year. -
Report: Enrollment, Expulsion and Resource Use in Wisconsin Child Care
This brief report provides information from a survey of Wisconsin’s regulated child care providers about how they address the needs of young children with challenging behaviors. Or view the report summary here.
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Behavior Help Wisconsin
Behavior Help Wisconsin helps child care providers struggling with the behavior of a child. Their social emotional approach helps children receive the targeted support they need to reduce challenging behaviors and promote positive ones.
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Social-Emotional Indicators for Infants and Toddlers
A bulleted guide of social-emotional developmental indicators for children aged birth through 3.5 years.
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The Infant Toddler Temperament Tool (IT3)
Take a short online survey that allows parents and caregivers of infants and toddlers to recognize and explore their own temperament traits and those of the children in their care.
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National Child Traumatic Stress Network
Learn about childhood trauma, including causes, standard of care, access to services for traumatized children, and more.
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Act Early (Wisconsin)
Resources to help parents and care providers identify and respond to potential delays in children’s development.
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Act Early (CDC)
Resources to help parents and care providers identify and respond to potential delays in children’s development.
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Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Best Practices
This overview explains what Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation is, its benefits, and what you can expect when meeting with an IMH Consultant.
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Social and Emotional Foundations Tip Sheets
Helpful tip sheets on nurturing children’s social and emotional intelligence, including targeted support around biting, routines, and much more.
Child Nutrition
- Family Style Dining Guide for ECE Programs – This meal service approach can help early care and education programs prevent childhood obesity and support children in developmentally appropriate mealtime experiences.
- Wisconsin Child & Adult Food Program (CACFP) – CACFP is a federally-funded program that can provide licensed or certified child care providers with financial reimbursement for serving nutritious meals and snacks to kids in their care.
- Kids Gardening.org – A resource to help parents and educators think creatively about getting children involved in gardening and active in nature.
- USDA MyPlate – Official nutrition recommendations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
- Active Early/Healthy Bites: Wisconsin Physical Activity & Nutrition Resource Guides – available in English and Spanish
Child Physical Health
- Sesame Street Healthy Habits Guide – With help from your Sesame Street friends, find fun-filled activities that add physical activity into everyday moments — hopping on the sidewalk, jumping in puddles, dancing to music, and more.
- American Academy of Pediatrics on Fitness – Daily physical activity recommendations and ideas to get children moving and healthy.
- Kids Health from UW Health – A website from UW dedicated to helping children grow up healthy, from newborn to teen.
- Active Early/Healthy Bites: Wisconsin Physical Activity & Nutrition Resource Guides – available in English and Spanish
Finding Child Care
- Video: How to Find Child Care: Get tips on how to find high quality child care in Wisconsin from CCR&R child care referral specialists.
- Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program: The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program supports families by funding a portion of the cost of child care while the parents are working or participating in an approved activity.
- Wisconsin Circuit Court Records: Conduct a name-based search of your child care provider in Wisconsin’s Circuit Court records.
- “Walk in My Shoes” Brochure: A handy checklist to help parents identify high-quality child care programs.
Developmental Assessment Tools
- Physical Developmental Delay Tool: Use this tool to learn more about physical developmental delays for children ages 5 and under. The information is meant to help you start a conversation with your child’s pediatrician.
- Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ): This free and confidential screening tool will help you see if your child’s developmental progress is on time and alert you to any potential concerns that you can talk over with your health care provider.
- CDC’s Developmental Milestones: Children reach milestones in how they play, learn, speak, act, and move. See the developmental milestones children should reach from 2 months to 5 years.
Parenting Support
- Family Strengthening Month Toolkit: April is designated as National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month, in Wisconsin we celebrate April as Family Strengthening Month. Each year the Prevention Board partners with the Department of Children and Families and Prevent Child Abuse Wisconsin (PCAW) to create a toolkit filled w
ith ideas, activities and resources to encourage community-based prevention efforts in April and throughout the year. - Zero to Three: ZERO TO THREE offers a wide variety of resources that help parents and caretakers understand and meet the needs of their babies and toddlers.
- UW-Extension Parent Resource Center: Select your child’s age or your family’s needs to find helpful resources and newsletters.
- “Reading Rockets” Literacy and Language Support: Find activities, games, and tips that help teach your child to read and build literacy.
- Vroom App: Learn about Vroom, a free app created by early childhood experts that provides tips and reminders to help parents have fun, brain-building interactions with their children.
- Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS): The Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS) training specifies developmental expectations for children from birth through first grade.
- National Fatherhood Initiative: Find tips, resources, and programs to support fathers.
- Find a Parenting Program: Learn about and connect with the many evidence-based parenting programs offered throughout Wisconsin.
- ACCESS Wisconsin benefits: With ACCESS, you can apply for and manage your state of Wisconsin benefits and programs in one place, at any time.
- 211 Wisconsin: A 211 search can connect you with thousands of nonprofit and government services in your area.
- WI Directory of Services for Women, Children, and Families: This county-by-county directory provides general information about Wisconsin programs and services that assist children and pregnant women.
- Home Visiting: Wisconsin Programs: Learn about the six types of Home Visiting programs offered throughout Wisconsin to see which is right for your family.
- Home Visiting: Evidence of Effectiveness: Learn more about the many benefits of Home Visiting programs and how they could help your children and family.
- Five for Families: Understanding how to build upon your family’s strengths in five essential areas can help you feel more confident, less stressed, and better connected to your children.
- Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program: The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program supports families by funding a portion of the cost of child care while the parents are working or participating in an approved activity.