Eight community members of Somali descent completed classes to become certified family child care providers in December 2024. This opportunity was funded by the Wisconsin Partnership Program at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and coordinated by Barron County Public Health. Northwest Connection Family Resources provided the training.
“Working parents know the importance of quality childc are,” said Karla Potts-Shufelt, Barron County Health officer. “This grant provided support and education for members of our community who may have language and other barriers to completing this training. This opportunity will not only help the participants but also our families with young children and our employers.”
The grant asked members of the Barron Somali Community what maternal child health programs they felt they needed to be successful. The community overwhelmingly wanted high-quality, affordable child care.
Public Health works improve the health of the community. This includes the social determinants of health. These are the non-medical conditions that influence a person’s health, well-being and quality of life such as childcare, education and safe housing.