Parent Connection program combats child abuse, helps families

Every child has a right to be safe, healthy, intellectually stimulated, and nurtured—that’s the belief that powers Building Families and their associated programs in Wright County.

Angela Wesselink, coordinator of the Parent Connection program, has been hard at work during the last year to both provide quality family services through Parent Connection and to go through the process of state accreditation to ensure they meet the highest standards. On Monday, she reviewed their programs for the Wright County board of supervisors and asked them to approve governance policies.

“Over the last fiscal year, the Parent Connection program served 78 families, 93 parents, and 169 children,” Wesselink said. Those numbers come from the program’s in-home and group-based classes. Wesselink also said that over the last year, they’ve done 14 pre-school parenting classes, a monthly support group for parents of children with disabilities, four group health classes, and added two evidence-based curriculums. Wesselink has given presentations to church groups and women’s groups, participated in activities and parades, and worked in cooperation with organizations such as HOPES, Community and Family Resources, Community Partnership for the Protection of Children, local schools, and more.

For more about Parent Connection and other county business, see the November 10 edition of the Monitor.