Parent Education and Support Workshops

Workshops are held at our office at 4922 Columbia Road, Cedarburg.

If there is a topic that you would like addressed, please email us.

Playgroups

1st Tuesday AND 3rd Thursday of each month (January 2 – May 16), 9:30-10:30 am
An open interactive group for parents and their children age 0-5 using books and activity stations centered around themes. Come and play with your child while interacting with other parents in our safe and fun playroom! Explore different toys, gain ideas to try at home, make new friends, or bring friends to share in the fun. Facilitated by Parents as Teachers staff.

Diaper Bag Club

NEW DATES: 1st AND 3rd Thursdays of each month, 9:30-10:30 am
This new group is for parents/caregivers and children 0-12 months. Share your joys and challenges and receive helpful input from each other and the facilitators in a safe, non-judgmental space. This group will incorporate monthly topics which may include sleep, infant massage, first foods, temperament, brain development, sensory play, and much more. Facilitated by Parents as Teachers staff and guest presenters.

Let’s Play to Learn

NEW FORMAT – all times are 9:30-10:30 am
1-2 year olds (Sensory, Music and Movement):

  • Wednesday, January 17
  • Thursday, February 29
  • Wednesday, April 10
  • Friday, May 10

3-4 year olds:

  • Monday, January 29: Colors, Colors, Colors!
  • Wednesday, February 28: Who Wants to Build?
  • Monday, April 22: We Love our Earth!
  • Wednesday, May 22: Let’s Go on a Bear Hunt!

Learn ways to stimulate your child’s learning and creativity through these fun, play-based workshops. Provides great bonding time as parent and child will be participating together. These workshops fill quickly so register early. Registration will close 3 days prior to each session. Free limited childcare for children outside of specified age group.

New date and location

Online Safety:

Navigating the Digital Age with your Children in Grades 4-8

Thursday, January 25, 6:00-7:30 pm AT THE PORT WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
Join us for a conversation to keep your family safe. Understand the power, potential, and risks of social media and the internet. Parents will learn how families, kids, teens, and adults are affected. You’ll also gain tools for minimizing risks and maximizing the benefits of the digital world around us. This event is focused on parents/guardians with children in grades 4-8 but will cover other ages as well. Facilitated by Carrie Smolinski, Business and Information Technology Teacher in the Grafton School District, Officer Jason Bergin, School Resource Officer with the Port Washington Police Department, and Mr. Chad Behnke, 8th grade teacher at Thomas Jefferson Middle School. This workshop will be in the Port Washington High School Library (427 W Jackson Street, Port Washington).

ADHD:

Thriving at Home and Effective Collaboration and Intervention at School

Thursday, February 1, 6:00-7:30 pm
Learn about initial evaluation options, meds, therapy/behavioral interventions, and school collaboration. Facilitated by Nina Sebastian Bredehorn, MSN, APNP, CPNP-BC, PMHS-BC Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Mental Health Specialist at Inspire Psychiatric Solutions, LLC, and Dr. Elliot Broch, Psychologist at North Shore Center LLC. Free limited childcare is available.

Process over Product:

Building Resilience in a Pressure-Filled World

Thursday, February 22, 6:00-7:30 pm
Do you ever feel like you and your family need to put on the perfect image? That the standard for “good grades” seems to be continually increasing? That conversations about college are starting earlier and earlier? We live in a world and community filled with pressures and expectations. It seems nearly impossible to find the balance between wanting to help your kids succeed and putting unnecessary pressure on them. This talk focuses on concrete strategies to push back against pressure and build resilience. Facilitated by Dr. Melissa Nelson, Licensed Counselor at North Shore Center, LLC. Free limited childcare is available.

The Epidemic of Loneliness Among Our Children:

Hidden Signs, The Brain’s Role, and Best Parenting Practices

Thursday, March 7, 6:00-7:30 pm
Current Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy has made it his mission to alert us to the crisis of loneliness faced by people of all ages across our world, especially our children. Even though many of us claim to be more “connected” with the aid of technology, the truth is, more and more people are struggling with loneliness. As our world becomes more complicated all of us, especially our kids, are at risk. There is a significant correlation between loneliness and a breakdown in our physical and mental health including conditions such as anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even suicidality. Facilitated by Clinical Psychologist Dr. Michael Mazius who will present research and provide practical ways in which you can help your children, students and yourself bypass some of the traps and instead build deep, meaningful, and lasting connections with each other. Free limited childcare is available.

Please call
(262) 376-7774 ext. 150
to register

Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing

Thursday, March 21, 6:00-7:30 pm

  • What is neuropsych testing? (And is it different than psychological testing?)
  • How do I access it?
  • What should I expect on the day of testing?
  • What should I expect to learn from the testing? What are common takeaways?
  • What do I do with the information received and how do I use my neuropsych testing to help with 504/IEP?

Facilitated by Dr. Robert Newby, a clinical neuropsychologist. Dr. Newby is board certified and primarily practices in Milwaukee. Free limited childcare is available.

Please call
(262) 376-7774 ext. 150
to register

Parenting:

Pitfalls, Perseverance and Problem Solving

Thursday, April 18, 6:00-7:30 pm
Parenting can be quite the adventure and co-parenting can be even more chaotic! This presentation will demonstrate how different parenting styles can be valued and provide steps to take to avoid clashing with one another’s style while being sensitive to your children. Facilitated by Dr. Amy Leventhal, a licensed psychologist, who is the Director of Clinical Services at Next Step Clinic. She is committed to supporting family well-being for all families. Free limited childcare is available.

Please call
(262) 376-7774 ext. 150
to register

Infant Massage

Wednesdays, May 1 – 22, 9:30-10:30 am
Kathy Bergmann, Certified Educator of Infant Massage and former OFS staff member, will demonstrate how to perform basic infant massage stroke techniques, as well as identify the benefits of infant massage for the infant and caregiver. Kathy will share research regarding the benefits of touch in the healthy growth and development of a child. Caregivers are invited to attend with babies from birth to 10 months old. Free limited childcare is available for older siblings.

Please call
(262) 376-7774 ext. 150
to register

Transitioning into Summer:

Creating Balance between Structure and Independence

Thursday, May 23, 6:00-7:30 pm
Transitions are a part of life and can be very difficult for some children. Families often find similar and sometimes different challenges with the transition to summer schedules. Learning to navigate such transitions will help you mentally prepare yourself and also give your child a basic understanding of evidence-based strategies to embrace change that will help prepare them for bigger transitions down the line. We will offer strategies to structure time during the summer months to decrease the feeling of uncontrolled chaos. Facilitated by Jenny Strom, Director and Therapist at North Shore Center, LLC. Free limited childcare is available.

Please call
(262) 376-7774 ext. 150
to register

Are they Safe?

Talking to Friends and Family about Suicide and How to Help

Warning: Suicidality can be a sensitive and/or triggering topic for some people

Date and Time TBD
Talking about tough topics, like suicide, can feel overwhelming. It can be hard to know what to say, or how or when to say it. Learn how to recognize the warning signs and what to do if you are worried about someone you know. You’ll receive practical information on how you can help those you care about. We will discuss myths of suicide, risk factors, warning signs, and how to help. Free limited childcare is available.

Please call
(262) 376-7774 ext. 150
to register

The Incredible Years

Date and Time TBD
This is an evidence-based parenting program designed to help promote the social, emotional, and academic success of kids ages 2-10. Parents learn how to prevent, reduce, and treat emotional challenges in children through a positive and nurturing approach. The course introduces developmentally appropriate and consistent responses to increase children’s self-esteem, reduce conflict in the home, and promote a strong and healthy family. Facilitated by OFS staff. Free limited childcare is available.

Please call
(262) 376-7774 ext. 126
to register

Interested in Attending?

Please call 262-376-7774 or email to register or for more information.

Thanks to the generous support of Ozaukee Family Services Donors and United Way of Northern Ozaukee, we offer all of our classes FREE OF CHARGE!

Thanks to the generosity of QuestionPro and its online survey platform, we are able to measure the outcomes of our programs and make ongoing improvements to better serve our community.