Blog

The Eau Claire B.R.A.I.N.* Team is happy to announce this year’s conference: Hope: Lift Ourselves, Lift Each Other . We will meet virtually on Tuesday, April 5 from 8:30am-3:15pm . Although we are once again virtual, plan on a day filled with meaningful discussion and information all revolving around the important topic of taking care of the caregiver. To register and see the full list of speakers and topics, please see the attached conference flyer or link here . We look forward to...

On May 17, a family with a child under age 3 from all 50 states and the District of Columbia will meet virtually with their Members of Congress as part of ZERO TO THREE’s Strolling Thunder . Families will share their stories about what it’s like to raise young children today and urge their policymakers to Think Babies. Are you or someone you know interested? No experience is necessary. ZERO TO THREE will provide training and support to selected families before, during, and after their...

The Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) is a nonpartisan research institution that started in 1966. According to the IRP, it's mission is to advance the understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality by producing rigorous research, training, scholars, engaging with policymakers and practitioners, and widely disseminating evidence. IRP will be hosting a webinar on Wednesday, February 9 (1-2pm CST) focused on monthly cash support and the impact on infant brain...

The Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) is a nonpartisan research institution that started in 1966. According to the IRP, it's mission is to advance the understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and inequality by producing rigorous research, training, scholars, engaging with policymakers and practitioners, and widely disseminating evidence. Most recently, IRP's Poverty Research & Policy Podcast shared insight from Dr. Quentin Riser about the impacts of family income...

The Build Back Better legislation changes to improve its chances of getting passed. There are pieces that have been helpful for families all over the world that are not consistent in the United States. Hopefully this article will be helpful... What the Build Back Better Compromise Means for Children and Families — Children's Defense Fund (childrensdefense.org) Right now, Build Back Better has lost a bit of its lime light because voting rights are important too. Hang in there, and watch this...

CALL FOR PROPOSALS! Deadline: Jan. 17, 2022 The Eau Claire Area School District will host the 8th Annual Wisconsin Public Education Network Summer Summit on July 21, 2022 at Eau Claire North High School. We're seeking proposals for workshops and breakout sessions at the Summit. We encourage public education champions (educators, local leaders, advocates & experts) to submit proposals that connect to the conference theme: PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNITE US. Click here to submit a proposal:...

Poverty is one of the most significant root causes of homelessness. Currently, people experiencing homelessness in Eau Claire have nowhere downtown to go during the day: the library has moved, Sojourner closes its doors during the day , even the gas station where they could get something to drink and go to the bathroom has closed. A group of community members and local officials has partnered to create The Warming Center to give people a place to stay during the day. The Warming Center will...

Dr. Bessel van der Kolk is offering a FREE 2-day virtual conference on his signature presentation, The Body Keeps the Score, on December 13th and 14th, 2021 (8:30am-4:00pm CST). "I’m presenting this training to serve as both a guide and an invitation—an invitation to dedicate ourselves to facing the reality of trauma, to explore how best to treat it, and to commit ourselves, as a society, to using every means we have to prevent it." - Dr. Bessel van der Kolk You won't want to miss this...

Please join us for our new series entitled: Trauma-Informed Criminal Justice. This monthly virtual Zoom series will feature conversations facilitated by Dr. Porter Jennings-McGarity, PhD/LCSW, PACEs Connection’s criminal justice consultant, with special guests to discuss the need for trauma-informed criminal justice system reform. Using a PACEs-science lens, this series will examine the relationship between trauma and the criminal justice system, what needs changing, and strategies being...

About once a month, the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension Eau Claire County shares Extension and non-Extension resources with the community to support family stability and community resilience. Below are some happenings that may be of interest to you. Extension Eau Claire County has been playing a collaborative storytelling game called " From 10 to 25 ," which builds awareness around what adolescence is and what is needed to thrive. Interested in having us facilitate this...

Recently, an updated version was released of the "Understanding ACEs" handout originally created by the Community & Family Services Division at the Spokane (WA) Regional Health District. The updated flyer can be downloaded, distributed, and shared freely. Up for a challenge?! Share this handout with at least five other people this week! English Spanish Arabic Dari Farsi Family Hui, a Program of Lead for Tomorrow , provided generous support towards the creation and translation of this...

Did you know there are at least five current federal legislative actions directed at reducing child poverty? Three of the initiatives would provide direct support to families with children, which would reduce poverty immediately. Biden’s Economic Relief Act – The American Rescue Plan (ARP, also known as the CARES Act), which contains several proposals to support families with children was signed into law by President Biden on March 11, 2021. The act contains several family financial relief...