Watertown Family Connections reports growth, accreditation and rising Latino service use

Watertown Family Connections briefed the Watertown Common Council on Monday, reporting service growth, recent accreditation and expanded outreach to Latino and Hispanic families.

Director Stephanie Curtis told the council the nonprofit served more than 326 families in the past year, a 56% increase from the previous program year, and said 72% of participating parents reported positive changes in their children's behavior after attending programs. Curtis said 95% of children who engaged with programs showed improvement in social-emotional skills, and 66% of parents reported better understanding of parenting and child development after participation.

Curtis said the program received a two-year Family Resource Center infrastructure grant from the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board and that Watertown's program was one of 10 statewide awarded the grant in 2023. She also said Watertown Family Connections recently received accreditation as a Family Resource Center of Quality earlier than the center had planned to apply.

Curtis told the council that bilingual staff, a partnership with the public library and relationship-building with families were key to the reported 24% increase in service requests from Latino and Hispanic families. She said the library location helped bring families into services, and that the center offers materials and programs in both English and Spanish and assists families with library sign-up and navigation.

A council member asked what had worked to increase participation by Latino and Hispanic families. Curtis responded that bilingual staff and the collaboration with the library were primary factors; she emphasized building trust and providing materials in Spanish as additional contributors.

Why it matters

The center's growth and accreditation indicate expanded capacity for family support services in Watertown. The shift in demand from specific communities, Curtis said, reflects outreach and service adjustments that the council and local partners can consider in future funding and program placement decisions.

What the council received

Council members were given the center's annual report and flyers for April activities; Curtis said the center marks its 30th anniversary this year and described evidence-based programming centered on five protective factors: parental resilience, social connections, knowledge of parenting and child development, concrete supports, and children's social-emotional competence.