s
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Winnebago Wednesd
Where play happens!
June 22nd- July 27th
*see inside for more info
Building Blocks
Our Vision
Building on family and
community strengths to give
young children a positive
start in life.
Our Mission
The Parenting Place is a place
for all who care for children.
Our programs educate,
strengthen, and support
parents and caregivers by
creating a greater
understanding of the impact
they have on the lives of
children in their care. Through
increased education and
parental growth, children will
have a positive, supportive,
and loving start in life.
SPARTA OFFICE
201 E. Franklin Street
Sparta, Wisconsin 54656
(608) 269-3151 x6116
fax (608) 366-3475
Business hours:
Tuesday–Friday
8AM to 3:15PM
TOMAH OFFICE
310 W. Elizabeth Street
Tomah, Wisconsin 54660
(608) 374-4190
fax (608) 374-4190
Business hours:
Monday-Thursday
7:30am-4pm
Hours can vary based on schedules.
Please call ahead.
The Parenting Place of Monroe County
Tomah
Spring Edition April | May | June 2016
Parent Cafés
Our Parent Cafe themes incorporate the Protective Factors and provide a framework for parents to relate them to their own lives. Parents gather in small groups at individual tables to explore questions and
have a discussion, which is facilitated by a Parent Host. Parent Cafés are unique in that every parent’s
voice is heard. These Parent Cafés are an avenue for parents to come together to talk, to listen, and to
support others with stressors, worries and challenges that many have struggled with alone. The Parent
Cafés support parents in building friendships and a strong network of families who help each other stay
strong! Call with questions or to register 608-269-3151.
Session 1
Help! My Kids Won’t Listen To Me: Striking A Balance Between Screen Time And Scream Time.
Thursday, April 14th - 5:30-7:30 pm - Lemonweir Elementary -711 N Glendale Avenue
Session 2
Full time job, Full- Time Parent: Finding Balance
Thursday, April 28th - 5:30-7:30pm - Lemonweir Elementary -711 N Glendale Avenue
Session 3
Parenting Together When You’re NOT Together
Thursday, May 19th- 5:30-7:30 pm~ Lemonweir Elementary –711 N Glendale Avenue
Sparta
Books and Blankets
June 9th, 6-7:30pm
The Parenting Place, Sparta
Please join us for an evening of Books and Blankets. This will be a read aloud event focusing on bed
time stories so wear your pj’s and bring your favorite cozy blanket. There will be “make and take” book
marks, literacy folders, a bed time story craft, and a book exchange. We will also be serving milk and
cookies. Aimee Schreiber from the Sparta Free Library will be joining us. Event is free but please call
Tanya to sign-up 608-269-3151 ext 6216.
www.theparentingplace.net
Parenting Workshops
Workshops are offered free of charge. Limited child care is
provided for children who are independent walkers and older;
younger children are welcome to join their parents. Child
care is limited to the first 8 children registered. CEUs are not
offered. Pre-registration is required 3 business days prior to
the workshop. If you register and aren’t able to attend, please call to
cancel.
Positive Solutions
Mondays in May and June 6th, 6-7:30pm
The Parenting Place, Sparta
Are you ready for enjoyable, effective parenting? Using
the curriculum designed by Vanderbilt University, this 5
week class will help you strengthen the bond with your
child while figuring out the meaning behind your child’s
challenging behaviors. We will focus on establishing clear
household rules, routines and expectations. Limited
childcare will be provided on-site for walking children while
parents attend the class. Please register by April 27th with
Tanya Evanson at 608-269-3151 ext 6216.
Healthy Bites: Picky Eaters
April 7 • 5:30-6:30pm
The Parenting Place, Tomah
Presented by Whitney Sanjari - Dietitian
I don’t like that”….Do you hear that a lot at lunch and dinner
time? Well, you’re not alone. Do you worry that your child/ren
is not getting enough nutrients? Nearly 40% of kids under 6 are
picky eaters. Registration is required, please call 608.374.4190.
Yoga
Mondays in May, 11am-Noon
The Parenting Place, Sparta
Yoga is practiced around the world because it’s a great way
to build strength, stamina and flexibility, without putting
undue stress on your body. By meditating, focusing on your
breath and stretching your muscles, a yoga practice also
cultivates a wonderful sense of inner peace and serenity.
Build a strong body, mind and spirit through yoga. This
class incorporates yoga postures, breathing exercises and
a focused mind to improve balance and flexibility. Preregistration is required by April 27. Class size is limited.
Child-Care is available to independent walkers, but is
limited. Register early for this one! Call Tanya at 608-2693151 ext 6216 to register.
* Class will not meet on Monday, May 30th
Teen Parenting and
Pregnancy Support
The second Tuesday of each month, 3-4:30pm
The Parenting Place, Sparta
Are you, or soon to be, a teen mother? Are you trying
to balance being a parent, school, and work? Join us
and discover ways to deal with the stress of pregnancy and
parenting tips, and much more. Registration is not required.
Call Tanya with questions at 608-269-3151 ext 6216.
2
Play Shoppe Fun Days!
For special field trips and fun days, check out The
Parenting Place Facebook page.
Play Shoppe
Play Shoppe is a shared time for parents and caregivers to
interact with their children and other adults in a fun, prepared
environment—offering age-appropriate playthings, crafts, circle
time, and snacks. Come and share in the power of play! No
registration required.
Note: Play Shoppes will not be offered on non-school or
cancelled school days.
Sparta location
. Fridays . 10-11:30am
Tomah location
. Mondays . 9:30-11am
No Play Shoppe April 15th
Play Shoppe will end May 23rd - Watch Facebook for
field trip opportunities!
Parent Connection
Parent Connection welcomes moms, dads, grandparents or
caregivers who are looking for a place to unwind and share the
joys and challenges of parenting with other parents. Connect over
coffee and conversation while toddlers and preschoolers play in
our adjoining supervised playroom. No need to register.
. Wednesdays . 10-11:30am
Tomah location . Wednesdays . 9:30-11am
Sparta location
Parent Connection will end May 25th
Parenting on the Go!
Mondays starting June 20th
9:30-10:30am
The Parenting Place, Tomah
Bring your walking shoes and a good conversation. We will meet at The Parenting Place and
take some time to walk and have a conversation with other parents. Feel free to bring your stroller and older
children are allowed to bring their bikes (with helmets).
Become a Certified Family Child Care
Provider
Being a child care professional can be both exciting and
rewarding. If you live in Monroe or Juneau County and are
interested in providing child care in your home, The Parenting
Place can help. The first step is to contact Barb at 800-873-1768
or [email protected]. We would be happy to mail
out an application and start the process with you.
Benefits of being certified:
• Eligible to receive county subsidy payments
• Reimbursement for meals and snacks—if you choose to
join a food program (reimbursements typically range from
$1,560–$3,245 per year)
• YoungStar assistance—YoungStar exists to help child
care providers succeed and provide top-quality care. This
organization offers training programs, technical assistance,
micro-grants, and other resources for providers to help you
achieve success. Visit the YoungStar website
http://dcf.wi.gov/youngstar/
• Child care resource and referral—Your business is listed on a
website, greatly expanding referral possibilities.
Number of Children for Certified Providers
How many children can I care for in my home? The number of
children you may care for depends on several variables, such as
the ages of the children, whether or not they are related, and
how they are related. Detailed information regarding group
size can be found on the website listed below, but some basic
guidelines for determining your group size includes, but are not
limited to:
• Group size may not exceed 6 children
• No more than 3 children under the age of 7, not related
to you, may be in care at any given time
• Children under the age of 2, including your own children,
reduces the number of children allowed
• Your own children over the age of 7 years do not count towards
the group size.
Determining your group size can be confusing; to help in
figuring out how many children you may have in your care based
on the children’s ages, the state of Wisconsin has developed a
helpful tool. The certification group size estimator is a simulator
that can be used for questions about group size:
http://dcf.wi.gov/childcare/certification
CPR Training
Shaken Baby Syndrome and
SIDS Prevention
In this combined class, participants will learn strategies to
reduce the risk of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome. We will discuss alternative ways to cope
with an infant’s crying and how these strategies can reduce the
incidence of Shaken Baby Syndrome. During the second part of
this training parents and caregivers will learn more about what
SIDS is and what they can do to reduce the risk of a SIDS death.
One session of this combined class is required to provide County
Certified Child Care.
Monday April 4 • 5:30–8:30 pm
The Parenting Place, Tomah
Cost: $10
Call 608-784-8125 or 800-873-1768 to register
Child Care Certification Orientation
Are you interested in providing child care in your home? Attend
one of these free sessions for information about becoming a
certified child care professional in La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau
Trempealeau or Buffalo County. At this orientation you will
learn more about what it is like to own your own child care
business, become familiar with the certification process, have
the opportunity to ask questions and receive the application
packet. It is recommended that participants also attend the
Shaken Baby and SIDS Prevention class offered immediately
prior to this session. No Registry Certificate provided.
Orientation sessions are immediately following Shaken
Baby Syndrome and SIDS Prevention classes listed above.
Sick Child Policy
Please be mindful and keep sick children at home. This
includes, but is not limited to fever, persistent cough, rashes,
vomiting, diarrhea*, overly fussy, yellow/green runny nose, or
anything else out of the ordinary. Some children cannot fight
diseases as easily as others. Allowing sick children to attend
passes the illness to the other children and parents.
*Must be free of diarrhea at least 24 hours.
Monday, May 2nd • 5:30pm-8:30pm
$45 fee (CEUs included)
The Parenting Place, Tomah
American Heart Association Heartsaver Adult, Child, and Infant
CPR/AED class. Cost is $45, participation is limited to the
first 8 paid registrations. Payment must be received before your
registration confirmation. The fee is non-refundable. Class length
may vary due to number of participants. For more information
or to register call 608-784-8125. Must be paid and registered by
Friday, April 29th.
Building Blocks
3
506 N. Black River St.
Sparta, Wisconsin 54656
DATES CLOSED
Sparta Site
April 15
May 30 - Memorial Day
Tomah Site
May 30 - Memorial Day
To be added or removed from our mailing list, please contact Tanya at [email protected].
Other Services and Resources Offered
Do You Have Parenting Questions?
Call The Parenting Place’s Warmline during office hours for answers to your questions. For questions after business
hours, leave a message or send us an email with your questions. We will return your call or, if you prefer, we will
send you an email response. Here’s how to reach us:
Help Finding Child Care
The Parenting Place­—Sparta 608.269.3151 ext.6216 or Tanya at [email protected]
The Parenting Place’s Child Care Resource & referral Department can provide parents with a customized listing of child
Theproviders
Parenting
608.374.4190
or Julee
at [email protected]
care
basedPlace—Tomah
on the age of their child,
the hours care
is needed,
and their preferred location. For more information or to receive a referral, contact CCR&R at (800) 873-1768. This is a free service.
Visit us online to see our full calendar of events for all locations!
www.theparentingplace.net
Winnebago W
Wednesdays!
June 22nd- July 27th
Every week brings a different theme sponsored by local businesses. Winnebago Wednesdays is in Tomah’s Winnebago
Park. Free for any young child (ages 0-5+) and the adults who care about them, these programs are designed just for our
youngest children and their parents. No tablets, no bouncy houses, no screens. Instead, water play, stacking, jumping,
moving and creating activities. Simple, open-ended activities like you had as a child. Play that builds a foundation for future
success. Lunch is provided @ 11am Free for children, small charge for adults. Check our Facebook page for other weather
related cancellations (will cancel for rain). For more information, contact The Parenting Place, Tomah 608-374-4190
“An EEO/Affirmation Action employer, The Parenting Place provides equal opportunities in employment and progamming, including Title IX and ADA requirements.
Requests for reasonable accomodations for disabilities or limiations should be made prior to the date of the program or activity for which is needed. Please make
such requests as early as possible by contacting The Parenting Place so proper arrangements can be made.”