Mayo Clinic Health System in Northwest Wisconsin awarded $9,000 to the Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District – Cardinal Community Learning Center for their Strengthening Families Program. Mental health and substance use and abuse prevention was identified as a priority in our community health needs assessment.
The Strengthening Families Program is an internationally recognized evidence-based family program for high-risk and general population families. Through cooperative learning of parents and children together, families practice skills to reduce anger and stress, increase communication, address behaviors and make healthy choices. Funding will be used to support staffing needs associated with the implementation of the curriculum for the program.
The Cardinal Community Learning Center has been offering the Strengthening Families Program since 2019 and the program is quickly gaining momentum and popularity as staff and community members learn more about the positive results. With the funding available, the center intends to offer as many as six cohorts during the 2021-22 school year and hopes to engage as many as 60 families within the district.
“Thanks to community support, especially the Mayo Clinic Health System Hometown Health Grant, we are able to expand and invite more families while maintaining the integrity of the curriculum.  Our coaches consist of district staff members and representatives from local agencies, such as the Family Support Center and Chippewa Co. Public Health Department,” said Andrea Smith, Director, Cardinal Community Learning Center.
Mayo Clinic Health System is proud to support the Cardinal Community Learning Center’s efforts in strengthening family communication skills, being a resource for those in need and providing educational opportunities to prevent substance use and abuse in youth.