Eau Claire | 4800 Golf Road, Suite 450, Eau Claire, WI 54701 | phone 715.833.1735 | fax 715.833.

1215 | email frcec@frcec.org

Menomonie | 2602 Hils Court, Menomonie, WI 54751 | phone 715.828.2440 | fax 715.833.1215 | email marie@frcec.org

Fall 2015

Karis Corner

FRC Staff
Kari Stroede | Executive Director
kari@frcec.org
Suezette Baysinger | Admin. Assistant
frcec@frcec.org
Melissa Lokken | Parent Educator
melissa@frcec.org
Marie Guzman | Parent Educator
marie@frcec.org
Sharon Ivers | Parent Educator
sharon@frcec.org
Stephanie Macik | Resource Educator
stephanie@frcec.org

Board of Directors
President Melanie Koehler | Peoples
Bank Midwest
Vice President Katy LoRusso | Create
A World Preschool
Treasurer Dr. Emily Smith-Nguyen |
Smith & Prissel Chiropractic
Secretary Dr. Jennifer Eddy |
Family Physician

Change is good or so I often try to convince myself. It is

like growing pains or cutting that new tooth a bit of
hard work, but the results are often quite stellar.
We are in the midst of many exciting changes at the Family Resource
Centerone of which is this very newsletter. We are finding that so
much is happening, and it has become difficult to neatly package it
all up in quarterly batchesso we wont even try to anymore. We
will give you a taste of what is in store and then highly suggest that
you pop over to our website or like our FaceBook page to get the ongoing updates.
So, to wet your appetite, here are some of the upcoming changes in
store:
Play Groups are coming to Altoona, Fall Creek, Augusta &
Fairchild beginning in October.
The Parenting Class will now be offered monthly in our Eau Claire
office and still online too.
Trainings will go out into the community: at the hospital, child
care center, Family Literacy Center, school system.
Watch for Fridays at the FRC at our main Eau Claire Office!
Parent Cafs may be arriving in Eau Claire & Menomonie in 2016.
And perhaps a Baby Caf is in the works too!
We are changing growing & changing, cutting that second & third
tooth!
Find out more at www.frcec.org!

Ann Kaiser | Sacred Heart Hospital

A special thank-you to all of our
outgoing board members: Brook
Steele, Jeff Sauter, Kathy Attermeier
and Wendy Sue Johnson. Your
support & dedication to the Family
Resource Center will always be
remembered & appreciated!

Stop in and visit the

FRC playroom,
sponsored by

Center Hours | Monday through Thursday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Drop In and Play Hours | Monday & Tuesday 9:00 am 3:00 pm
Wednesday & Thursday 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm, Friday 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Center Closed | November 26 & 27 and December 14, 24, 25 and 31

Marie Guzman - Parent Educator | Dunn County

Every morning I get into my car at 7:30 ~ excited to go to my job as a Parent Educator in Dunn
County. Not a lot of people can say they look forward to each day they have to go to work.
However with that being said, not a lot of people get to go to work with the opportunity to play
with kids and watch families evolve. When I was first offered the position as the Parent Educator
in Dunn County, I did not know what to expect. I had some fear and excitement, and even some worry ~ but as
I have been working with all the different areas of Dunn County, I have found it nothing less than rewarding. I
get the opportunity to work with people from all walks of life. I work with families by planning and
implementing home visits, AND building strong relationships with each family. In those relationships, I get to
see parents laugh when they see their children doing something that they would not normally do, and I get to see
parents cry because they are watching their children develop and learn something new. I get to help parents
work through their frustrations, and I get to watch the community gather together to become one entity. To be
able to say that I get to be a part of that is truly a blessing. Along with working with families, I also teach
various parenting topics throughout the year and work with the Dunn County inmate population as well. Each
day is truly a gift I receive from all the lives I get to touch and the lives that touch mine. I look forward to my
continued work throughout Dunn County and the continued relationships I am building.

Melissa Lokken - Parent Educator | Eau Claire County

For the last 9 years I have had the pleasure of working with many families in Eau Claire County.
I visit with families in their homes as a Parents as Teachers home visitor, facilitate play groups in
the FRC play room, mentor teen moms at a local high school and chat with parents, teaching many
parent education classes. I have laughed, cried and helped parents through the challenge of raising
children. Everyday my job is different, but at the end of the day I feel like I made a difference. I have helped
families though a tough moment, given them advice, connected them with a needed resource or have simply
been someone who was there to listen. As a parent myself, I feel so lucky to live in a community with great
support for families and feel honored to be a part of the FRC team.
After all ... Children dont come with instructions.

Parents as Teachers - Home Visiting Program

Serving Eau Claire & Dunn Counties
The Parents as Teachers program is designed to provide guidance and support to families.
We come right to your home and there is NO COST. We can visit weekly, every other week or
monthly a visit lasts about an hour. We provide timely Information on child development,
intellectual growth, social development, and motor skills. We offer practical ideas on ways to
encourage learning. We support the whole family ~ (child & parent).
Would you like a friendly Parent Educator on your team?
Contact us to learn more!
To give your child a great start, register today.
(715) 833-1735 | frcec@frcec.org
Online referral form at www.frcec.org

We Couldnt Do it Without You!

Thankful...that is how we feel every day at the FRC.
From financial support, to providing needed
materials, to offering to help as volunteers we are
fortunate to be part of a caring community. Our
many thanks to each of you that have reached out
to support us. We truly could not do this important
work without you and your support!

La Leche League
Are you breastfeeding or considering it? This group
offers mother-to-mother support through a series of
monthly meetings based upon various topics. Evening
meetings are at 6:30 pm on the first Monday of the
month at the FRC. Daytime meetings are 9:30 am on
the third Monday of the month at Hope Methodist
Church.
La Leche League and the FRC have
partnered to provide the, Nursing Nook,
a quiet, peaceful & private space to feed
your baby. The Nursing Nook is now open
for use during our daily business hours.

Meet Our New

First Connections
Because Children Dont Come With Instructions
Highly-trained staff connect with families in the hospital
to offer educational programming, support,
encouragement, and resources for their most important
job, PARENTING!

Family Resource Center

(715) 833-1735 | www.frcec.org
frcec@frcec.org

Stephanie Macik First Connections Resource Educator

How does the First Connections program actually work?
As the Resource Educator for First Connections, it is a
privilege of mine to visit families at both Sacred Heart and
Mayo in downtown Eau Claire. Upon arriving at the
hospitals, I check in with the nurses station to see what
families are currently staying at the hospitals. The nurses and health
unit coordinators are always very helpful and supportive. After I gather
some information, I then start visiting the rooms. Every room is
different and special in its own way. However, there is always one thing
they have in common ~ there is always an overwhelming feeling of love.
First Connections is dedicated to reaching out to families and letting
them know about the programs and services that the Family Resource
Center offers. I leave every family with a tote bag containing FRC info
that they can later reference if they choose when they get settled back
in at home. If we dont provide the service that a family is looking for,
we can connect them with someone that can help them. These visits
give families the opportunity to ask any questions or express any
concerns they might have. Most importantly, its a time for families to
have somebody they can talk too. Questions and concerns aside, Im
there to listen.

Staff Members
Suezette Baysinger
Hello everyone, I am
Suezette Baysinger! I
am jumping in head
first as the new
Administrative
Assistant with the
FRC! I have a degree in Business
Management from CVTC and 3
years of office and clerical
experience. In my free time, my
husband and I fish, spend time
with family and friends, and
work in our yard.
Sharon Ivers
Hello, my name is
Sharon Ivers. I
joined the FRC as a
Parent Educator in
July 2015, providing
Play N Learn family
group activities and family visits
in the communities of Altoona,
Fall Creek, Augusta, and
Fairchild. Prior to the FRC, I
have worked with child care
providers and programs as a
YoungStar Technical Consultant.
For many years, I served as a
public school teacher, working
with 4K through high school
children and families. My
special interest is in early
literacy. I have a Bachelors
Degree in English Education and
Library Media Education from
UW-Eau Claire and a Masters
Degree in Education from
UW-LaCrosse.
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Family Resource Center Events & Classes

Please call 715-833-1735 or visit our online registration page at www.frcec.org. Just click on Sign Up for EC
County Events or Sign up for Dunn County Events tab and complete the form. Registration is required. Child
care will be provided for some classes as indicated. **There is more information about each class online!

Dunn County Offerings

Dunn County classes are located at the Dunn County FRC Office - 2602 Hils Court (ARC Building)
Menomonie, WI 54751 | 715-828-2440 unless noted differently below.

Tuesday, October 13th | Co-Parenting for Blended Families | 6:00-7:00 pm

Tuesday, November 10th | To Spank or Not to Spank | 6:00-7:00 pm

Eau Claire County Offerings

Eau Claire classes are located at the EC FRC Center located in the Sears wing of the Oakwood Mall 4800 Golf Road Eau Claire, WI 54701 unless noted differently below.
The Parenting Class
(Repeated the 2nd Wednesday of every month - Online class also available)

Wednesday, October 14th | 1:00-2:30 pm | Cost $10

Wednesday, November 11th | 1:00-2:30 pm | Cost $10

Wednesday, December 9th | 1:00-2:30 pm | Cost $10

Family Fun Events

Tuesday, December 8th | Holiday Make & Take | 6:00-7:00 pm
Fridays at the FRC

Friday, October 23rd | Dance With Me |10:00-11:00 am (Movement for kids & adults!)
Friday, November 13th | Baby Signing | 10:00-11:00 am
Friday, December 18th | Dance With Me | 10:00-11:00 am

Building Babys Brain

Thursday, November 12th | 6:30-8:00 pm | Cost $10 *Sponsored by the Eau Claire BRAIN Team
The FRC is providing training support for parents and guardians
throughout our community. This fall we will be at the following
locations:

Mayo Health Center Newborn Care Class

Family Literacy

Augusta Elementary School

Mayo Health Center Child Care

Arbor Place

Eau Claire County Jail

A Special Thank You to Service

Master of Chippewa Valley for their
help cleaning the FRC carpets. You
did a fantastic job, and we
appreciate it!
Service Master Restore
715-723-9781
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New Happenings!

With Sharon Ivers, Parent Educator

The FRC Announces Play N Learn Family Play Groups in Rural Eau Claire County!
Childrens smiling faces, eager squeals, eyes full of wonder and fascination!!! This is what excites
me about the new Play N Learn Family Play Groups the FRC is bringing to the rural Eau Claire
County communities of Altoona, Fall Creek, Augusta, and Fairchild! Play and learning go hand in
hand. These free hour long play groups will offer unique activities for children and parents! Play
N Learn will be fun, interactive times held at the local libraries. A wide variety of creative
learning activities based on classic childrens books by featured author and illustrator, Lois Ehlert,
will be available for infants through age 5. And, all will be able to enjoy a snack!
At Play N Learn, children will have the opportunity to interact with others, thus developing social
skills. Parents can connect with other parents, share common experiences and concerns, develop
lasting friendships, and form new support networks. I will be sharing with parents interesting and
relevant information and coordinating guest presenters on topics of interest to the parent groups.
These exciting Play N Learn Family Play Group opportunities are supported by the United Way of
Greater Chippewa Valley as part of the plan to help children Enter School Ready to Succeed.
Check out the flyer for information on dates and times in your area!

The Parenting Class

Online*
The Parenting Class will cover various
general parenting topics such as:
co-parenting, communication, discipline,
routines and dealing with childrens
anger.
*(Approximately 3 hours to complete.)
Take this self-paced class online through
email and receive a certificate upon
completion.
Cost is $10.
For more information and to register, call
the Family Resource Center

Fall Play N Learn Play Groups

At our Eau Claire office in the Oakwood Mall
A fun, interactive time for you and your child!
Experience creative learning activities, learn about
your childs development and connect with other
parents. Play N Learn sessions run for 6 weeks at a
time. You can register by visiting our website or by
calling the center, on or before the registration date.

Fall Play N Learn Session 2

October 28th - December 10th
Wednesdays: 9:00-10:15 am or 10:30-11:45 am
Or
Thursdays: 9:00-10:15 am or 10:30-11:45 am

at 715-833-1735.

* You must have an email account to

receive and submit assignments to
instructor. Class takes approximately 3
hours to complete but is divided into 6
lessons. Each lesson must be approved
by the instructor during normal business
hours before new lessons can be given.
Class timeline works best in a 5-10 day
period at minimum, but can be
self paced to fit individual needs.

Register for Play N Learn groups online at

www.frcec.org starting at 10:00 am on Oct. 5.
Or Call 715-833-1735 at 10:00 am on Oct. 5.
Please indicate your 1st & 2nd Choice.

Registration Date

Fall Session - Monday, October 5th, at 10:00 am

Non-Profit
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT NO. 1557

4800 Golf Road, Suite 450

Eau Claire, WI 54701
Phone: 715-833-1735
Fax: 715-833-1215
E-mail: frcec@frcec.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/frcec
Website: www.frcec.org

A special thank you for the generous support from our sponsors...
Support was provided by
the Daniel F. and
Margaret J. Brown
Memorial Fund

A special thank you to Sacred

Heart Hospital for funding the
printing of the FRCs newsletter.
The mission of the Family Resource Center is to provide programs and services
that build on family strengths through prevention, education, support, and collaboration with
other resources in the community. The Family Resource Center is available to all families and children in
Eau Claire and Dunn Counties.
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