Agency asks Community to Raise Awareness for Prevention

Green Bay, WI -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/25/2015 -- Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. is bringing back its Blue Kite Campaign for a 4th year to raise awareness to child abuse prevention programming during National Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month in April. This year partner locations will once again sell the Blue Kites pin-ups for $1 but the agency is also asking area businesses to turn their lights blue at night to remind neighbors of the 4,464 reports of suspected child abuse and neglect.

"Blue is the color for child abuse prevention and the blue lights will help shine a light to the need for continued support in our community," said Paula Breese, Executive Director, Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. "We are asking community organizations and businesses to turn on a blue light in April at their locations."

Schreiber Foods will turn the lights blue at its headquarters in downtown Green Bay starting April 1 and will continue through April 10 in the evening and early morning. Other businesses are invited to use their own lights or the agency has a limited number of regular light bulbs they will give to businesses and organizations who will turn the blue lights on for April.

"Prevention programs are happening year round to help strengthen families and through increased awareness we invite others to support this work," said Paula Breese. "We hope neighbors will look up in April and see lots of blue lights and blue kites to remind them of the importance of child abuse prevention."

To learn other ways to help and where you can purchase pin-ups, please visit http://www.fcrnew.org or call 920-432-8899.

About Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W
Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W is a 501 c3 non-profit dedicated to supporting healthy child development by providing high quality education, support and programs to families and early childhood professionals. For more information, please call 920-432-8899 or email at fcrnew@fcrnew.org. The agency serves families in Brown, Oconto, Marinette, Menominee, Kewaunee, Door and Shawano Counties, along with the Stockbridge-Munsee, Menominee, and Oneida Tribes.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Area Law Enforcement & Leaders to Help Kick-off

Green Bay, WI -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/18/2015 -- During Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. will ask the community to support its 4th annual Blue Kite Fundraising Campaign, an effort to bring attention and funding to child abuse prevention efforts. Green Bay Police Chief Tom Molitor, Brown County Sheriff John Gossage and Mayor Jim Schmitt are scheduled to sign the first honorary kites in the fundraiser.

"It's an honor to have local law enforcement and leaders show their support and demonstrate the importance of prevention programs to reducing abuse and strengthening the future of our community," said Paula Breese, Executive Director, Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W.

During Child Abuse Prevention Month, Family & Childcare Resources will join with local business partners to support evidence-based prevention programs to reduce and prevent child abuse in the greater Green Bay area. Local dignitaries and supporters will buy and sign the first kite pin-ups to be sold at the Kite Fundraising Campaign kick-off. Kite pin-ups are $1 each.

The ceremony is scheduled at 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 1 at 201 W. Walnut St. (driveway entrance is on Pearl Street). Local leaders, supporters, board members and staff are schedule to attend. Light breakfast snacks and coffee will be served and tours of the agency will be available.

"Our goal is to raise $4,464, each dollar will represent a reported case of suspected child abuse and neglect," said Breese. "Each report represents a family in our community who needs extra support and this fundraiser represents the year round work to make that support available."

100% of every dollar is used for prevention programming in our community. Blue Kite pin-ups can be purchased at the agency and through any of its partners. For more information, including locations at which Blue Kites can be purchased, visit http://www.fcrnew.org

About Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W
Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W is dedicated to supporting healthy child development by providing high quality education, support and programs to families and early childhood professionals. For more information, please call 920-432-8899 or email at fcrnew@fcrnew.org. You can also find information on the website http://www.fcrnew.org. The agency serves families in Brown, Oconto, Marinette, Menominee, Kewaunee, Door and Shawano Counties, along with the Stockbridge-Munsee, Menominee, and Oneida Tribes.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

WI Identified in Top Ten Least Affordable for Families with 4-year-olds in Centers

Green Bay, WI -- (SBWIRE) -- 12/11/2014 -- For the eighth year in a row childcare is found to be unaffordable for working families including those in Wisconsin according to Child Care Aware of America's Parents and the High Cost of Childcare Report. Wisconsin was ranked in the top ten for least affordable states for a 4-year-old in a group based center based on a percentage of state median income for a two-parent family.

"While we know early education is critical for setting a strong course for healthy child development, the high cost of child care affects a parent's ability to choose the child care arrangement and the quality of care they want for their children," says Paula Breese, Executive Director of Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. "Some families can't afford the cost of quality childcare so many working families must choose care based on cost rather than what is best for their children."

The average cost of care for a 4-year-old in a group based center is $9,302 in Wisconsin. This is 11.3% of the median income of a married couple and 38.8% of the median income of a single mother in our state. For a Wisconsin family with two children in center based childcare, the cost of childcare exceeds all other average household expenses like housing, food, transportation and college tuition.

There are many overhead costs to childcare businesses including wages, rent, food, insurance, continuing education, toys and safety materials. "With average childcare wages in Northeast Wisconsin already under $10 an hour there is no room to cut costs there leaving no wiggle room for centers to make it more affordable for families," says Breese.

Quality childcare options are important for employers and businesses too. Parents whose children are in safe, quality environments leads to higher productivity and children in unstable care environments leads to higher employee absences. According to Child Care Aware of America, "29% of employed parents experienced some kind of childcare breakdown in the past three months which were associated with absenteeism, tardiness and reduced concentration at work."

"Because of our work with childcare providers and parents we know that some of the difficulties in finding and providing quality childcare don't have easy answers," says Breese. "As a community we can raise awareness to the obstacles faced by parents and early childhood professionals so we can work toward policies to make sure all children have access to high quality early childhood settings."

About Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W
Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W is a 501 c3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting healthy child development by providing high quality education, support and programs to families and early childhood professionals. This organization is located in Green Bay WI at 201 W Walnut St, Suite 100, zip 54303. Their phone is 920-432-8899 with email address of fcrnew@fcrnew.org. Their organization's website is http://www.fcrnew.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Low Pay For Northeast WI Childcare Teachers

Green Bay, WI -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/24/2014 -- A recent survey of group childcare centers in Northeast Wisconsin shows the pay rate of childcare teachers is just under the national average. Despite the important role they play in early childhood development and school readiness, childcare workers are some of the lowest paid workers in the United States, according to Child Care Aware.

"Parents can't afford the real cost of childcare, which then results in low wages for the childcare teachers," says Paula Breese, Executive Director of Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. "Due to low wages, staff turnover can be high, which can affect the quality of care."

About Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W
Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. collects data from area childcare providers to help connect families to regulated care and to advocate for childcare needs in Northeast Wisconsin. The recent survey showed the average wage in seven northeast Wisconsin counties to be $9.55 an hour just under the national average identified by Child Care Aware as $10.25 an hour.

Quality of childcare is greatly improved when teachers have continued education, which in most fields results in higher wages. In area childcare centers, many teachers have or are working towards an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree and all teachers in regulated programs have some yearly continued education.

"Because of our work with childcare providers, we know they aren't doing it for the pay or benefits but because of their passion for improving early childhood experiences," says Breese. "As a community we can raise awareness to the importance of the work being done by childcare teachers so that we can be sure we are showing appreciation for the teachers and by advocating for programs that support them."

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Major Sponsors for "Fly A Kite Fest" to Include SBWire

Green Bay, WI -- (ReleaseWire) -- 06/24/2014 -- Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. is starting 2014 with great news for their 2nd annual Fly A Kite Fest coming June 28th. SBWire has agreed to support the event and keep kites flying higher this year as a major sponsor.

"We started as Broadway Business District neighbors but we quickly saw how our paths intersected," says Paula Breese, Executive Director of Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. "They work for media engagement and we are working to spread the word regarding healthy early childhood development and child abuse prevention. We are very excited about the partnership."

Fly A Kite Fest is a free event for everyone to enjoy a variety of kiting activities during the fun-filled day. It will once again be held at the Arnie Wolff Sports Complex on Saturday, June 28, 2014 from 10 am – 4pm. This all-ages event will have a variety of family-friendly activities including giant show kites, precision stunt kite demonstrations, running of the "bols", activities for children, kid's kite decorating, and candy drops.

"We are thrilled to support Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W.'s mission of supporting healthy child development," said Daniel Jones, founder and CEO of SBWire. "The team at SBWire believes all children deserve a great start in life so they can become tomorrow's leaders and innovators." SBWire is an online newswire service for small to medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations located in Green Bay, WI (http://www.sbwire.com). SBWire's media relations tools connect marketers and communicators to journalists, editors, and online publishers around the world.

Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. has recruited community members to help through volunteering, planning and sponsoring this event. To find ways you can help, please contact Dawn Miller at 920-432-8899 or dawn@fcrnew.org . You can also find information on Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W.'s website at http://www.fcrnew.org.

About Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W
Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W is a 501 c3 non-profit organization dedicated to supporting healthy child development by providing high quality education, support and programs to families and early childhood professionals. This organization is located in Green Bay WI at 201 W Walnut St, Suite 100, zip 54303. Their phone is 920-432-8899 with email address of fcrnew@fcrnew.org. Their organization's website is http://www.fcrnew.org.

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm