Grant Stories

Expectant and new parents have common questions about their child’s development. Efforts to provide parents with answers to these questions, individualized support when needed most, and linkages to community services will get a boost as a result of a Basic Needs Giving Partnership grant.

Healthy Families Waushara County, a new program offering voluntary nurse home visiting services, will be supported with a three year, $94,938 grant. The free program connects families with community resources to improve their child’s health, nutrition, and developmental outcomes within the familiarity and convenience of the family’s own home.

Parents and guardians with children of all ages are invited to attend the 7/20 Community Baby Shower from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Hope Lutheran Church, Wautoma. The event is sponsored by the Waushara County Health Department.

For the people working regularly with pregnant and parenting mothers, the need for these services could not be more clear.

“Waushara County has no hospital providing maternity services and no public transportation system making it difficult for parents to access important services prenatally and in a child’s infant years,” said Jan Novak, prevention specialist services coordinator for the Waushara County Department of Human Services.

“We’re excited for the opportunity to expand access for families in Waushara County to receive supportive services through this nationally proven model,” adds April Niemi, deputy director of early childhood development for CAP Services.

In total, sixteen new Basic Needs Giving Partnership grants totaling $826,104 were awarded and another $332,500 was distributed for multiple year grants.

Grants are from the Basic Needs Giving Partnership, which is supported by the U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs within the Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, the J. J. Keller Foundation, and other community partners. Proceeds from the U.S. Venture Open help fund the U.S. Venture Fund for Basic Needs. The golf outing raised a record $4.13 million in 2018. Oscar-winning actor Matthew McConaughey will be the featured guest at this year’s U.S. Venture Open on August 14.