Apply to be a Family Circle Member Today!
The University of Wisconsin-Madison Prevention Research Center is looking for six (6) individuals with lived experience in the maternal and child health space to join our Community Advisory Board (CAB) as Family Circle members!
Family Circle members help advise UWPRC activities to improve the health of low-income women, infants, and families. As a member of the CAB, your feedback and lived experiences will guide UWPRC research priorities and practices to support families and communities.
Individuals are invited to submit their contact information for consideration online or by downloading the contact information form and emailing the completed form to Janice Valenzuela at jrvalenzuela@wisc.edu.
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Who should apply for the Family Circle?
- Parents or grandparents raising an infant(s) or preschool/school aged child(ren)
- Individuals who have experienced a lot of stress during or after pregnancy
- Individuals who have used pregnancy or parenting services like Home Visiting
- Individuals who have had a difficult or high-risk pregnancy
- Individuals who have received assistance with housing, food, or child care
- Individuals who have had health insurance through Badger Care or W2
We are especially interested in hearing from people most impacted by disparities, including people of color and other marginalized populations, as well as people who have needed support related to food, housing, child care, and healthcare.
What will Family Circle members do?
Family Circle members will meet as a group with other members of the CAB who are leaders of community organizations and state agencies to guide UWPRC research priorities and practices to support families and communities. Participation can look like:
- Talking about what matters most to individuals & families in your community
- Advising the UWPRC on what problems we should focus on in our research/work
- Providing input on how UWPRC research/work can be used by the community to improve the health of women, children and families
- Reviewing proposals for the UWPRC Small Grant Program
What is the time commitment for a Family Circle member?
New Family Circle members will have an initial online orientation session in February 2023, followed by regular meetings. Regular meetings will be held approximately two (2) to four (4) times a year. We ask members to commit to being part of the CAB for at least 2 years.
How will CAB meetings work?
Most CAB meetings are expected to remain virtual, likely using Zoom. If members are unable to join using a computer, there will be an option of calling into the meeting using a phone.
We hope to have at least one CAB meeting in-person each year. In-person meetings will rotate locations around the state as much as possible.
Will Family Circle members be paid?
Yes. Each Family Circle member will be paid a stipend ranging from $50 to $100 dollars per meeting. This stipend is paid to Family Circle members for their time and participation, as well as to help with travel and child care costs associated with attending the meetings. Some paperwork is required.
Will Family Circle member identities be shared?
We will ask Family Circle members for permission before sharing they are one of our advisors. Conversations at any Family Circle or CAB meetings will be kept confidential. We will never identify individual Family Circle members by name when describing advice that we have received.
Is specific training or education required to be part of the Family Circle?
No, we will provide any information and training that may be need as a CAB member.
Who do I contact if I have questions about the Family Circle or becoming a member?
If you have any questions, please email Janice Valenzuela at jrvalenzuela@wisc.edu. You can also reach the UWPRC by phone at 608-265-9474 or via email at prc@wisc.edu.
How do I apply to be a Family Circle member?
To apply, fill out the contact information form online or download and email the completed form to jrvalenzuela@wisc.edu.
After we receive your contact information, we will call you to answer any questions you may have and discuss if being a Family Circle member would be a good fit for you.
Since space is limited, some people who apply may not become part of the Family Circle, but we will call every person who submits a contact information form.
What is the Community Advisory Board?
The University of Wisconsin Prevention Research Center (UWPRC) Community Advisory Board aims to have equal representation from community members with lived experience (Family Circle) and individuals representing state agencies and organizations that provide services and advocacy (Organizational Partners).
The CAB is rooted in the following core engagement principles:
- Centering lived experience and knowledge as a critical perspective in prevention research;
- Strengthening capacity of community partners to inform the research and translation agenda; and
- Supporting successful partnerships between communities and researchers.
The CAB will advise the UWPRC on various research and translation activities by reviewing the Center’s research and translation agenda annually, advising the Core Research Project and any other research supported by the UWPRC, informing & growing involvement in the UWPRC Small Grants program, and advising on other Center activities.
Current Organizational Partners
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Department of Health Services Title V
The Title V Maternal and Child Health Program (MCH Program) is a part of the Division of Public Health within the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The program receives Federal Title V funding and collaborates with local health departments, tribal health agencies, community-based organizations, statewide organizations, and other partners to assure quality health services are delivered to mothers, children, and families, including children with special health care needs.
RISE
RISE is a community-based non-profit that provides early childhood home visiting programs, mental health services, and emergency respite to individuals and families throughout Dane County. Their mission is to advance the wellness of children, individuals, and families by providing early childhood and mental health services to help community and family thrive.
Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP)
The Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program (SWCAP) is a non-profit organization that provides services in the areas of housing, energy, food, early childhood and adult education, healthcare and transportation to community members in five counties in Southwestern Wisconsin. The mission of the SWCAP is to assist people and families in poverty with services to resolve or mitigate the impact of poverty and to help them move out of poverty.
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families is a state agency that provides a variety of programs and services to children and families across Wisconsin. The vision of the Department of Children and Families is that all Wisconsin children and youth are safe and loved members of thriving families and communities.
March of Dimes
The March of Dimes is a national organization that fights for the health of all moms and babies. Their goals are to end preventable maternal health risks and death; to end preventable pre-term birth and infant death; to eliminate the health equity gap. They are committed to leveling the playing field once and for all by advocating for policies promoting safe and healthy communities; engaging partners at the local and national levels; seeking answers through social science research; improving access to care in every community; training health care providers to tackle bias; rallying every American around a common goal . . . health equity for all. Programs in Wisconsin include Stork’s Nest, NICU Family Support, Supportive Pregnancy Care group prenatal care, and Breaking Through Bias in Maternity Care training among other titles.
Centro Hispano
Centro Hispano of Dane County provides culturally-tailored and linguistically appropriate services to the Latino community in Dane County to support youth, adults, community engagement, and advocacy. Their mission is Empowering Youth, Strengthening Families, Engaging the Community in such a way that Dane County will be a community where Latino families can aspire upward, to reach their personal goals and dreams because they feel engaged and strengthened with the tools for success.
African American Breastfeeding Network (AABN)
The mission of AABN is to improve maternal and infant health and champion breastfeeding equity by (1) advocating system/policy changes, (2) partnering with community allies and (3) implementing community-based, family-centered, culturally tailored health education and support services.
Kids Forward
Kids Forward is a private, non-partisan, non-profit, statewide organization that works to improve outcomes for children through research, public education, community engagement, and activism. Their mission is to inspire action and promote access to opportunity for every kid, every family, and every community in Wisconsin , particularly children and families of color and those furthest from opportunity.
Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care (WAPC)
The Wisconsin Association for Perinatal Care works to improve perinatal health outcomes for women, infants, and their families by: Leading collaborative efforts that promote, develop, and coordinate systems of evidence-based, high quality perinatal care in Wisconsin; Providing and supporting professional educational programs that focus on the continuum of perinatal care; Valuing and engaging the talented and diverse community of perinatal health care advocates; Increasing public awareness of perinatal health.
WAPC is an individual membership association of professionals working in perinatal health throughout the state of Wisconsin and nationally. As a leader in perinatal care since 1970, WAPC’s new and ongoing initiatives span the perinatal period — from preconception through an infant’s first year of life.
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