WISN is continuing its effort looking at violence in Milwaukee.
WISN 12 News asked if the city is near the Tipping Point in this long-term enterprise about violence in Milwaukee.
We asked The Parenting Network to assist us with this blog. Leave your questions and concerns and The Parenting Network will respond.
Here are our bloggers:
Jan Buchler has been Executive Director of The Parenting Network since 1999. Jan has a Master of Science in Education and more than 30 years experience working with children and families. She has two grown daughters and a toddler grandson.
Jenny von Helms, Director of Resource Development at The Parenting Network, has a Master of Education degree and 14 years experience in higher education and nonprofit administration. Jenny and her husband have two children, a son in second grade and a daughter in preschool.
Kathie Karkheck, Parent Helpline Manager, is an experienced support group facilitator with over 25 years of working with families. Kathie is a Certified Social Worker, mother to 1 son and 2 daughters, and grandmother to 2 grandchildren.
Tom Weber is a Program Director and Parent Educator at The Parenting Network. Tom has a Master of Science in Education and over 30 years teaching experience. Tom has 2 adult daughters and 2 granddaughters.
Ruth Miller is a currently a Program Director at The Parenting Network. She has Masters in Community Counseling and has spent her adult years serving families through volunteer and nonprofit work in various capacities. Ruth has a grown daughter who recently moved back home.
Steve Kabelowsky is the Digital Executive Producer at WISN. Steve is here for technical help and support.
As and urban educator, how do I get parents more involved in their child’s education?
I am so grateful for WISN On Assignment: Is Milwaukee At The Tipping Point. There were several important issues mentioned in this news program, that influenced my decision to provide some solutions on reducing crime, poverty, single parent households, infant mortality, HIV/AIDS awareness & prevention, and trauncy issues. The article, “What a Difference Dad Makes” reported that 70% of household in certain zip codes in the innercity of Milwaukee has an absence of fathers. The article went on to say that father absence is correlated to a host of health and social detriment for children. In the Wisconsin Prison Systems, Men of Color, represent an astonishing percentage of the population. As a way to get the message out to these men about the importance of family values, and two parent households, I would like to suggest that the Criminal Justice System implement internal programs which require mandatory participation in educational courses. I believe that the Criminal Justice System is a great place to start when addressing the issues mentioned in “Milwaukee At The Tipping Point” since a huge majority of the targeted group is represented in Wisconsin’s prisons and jails. Education is the key. Once these men are provided with pertinent information pertaining to the importance of quality of life issues, we will see an increase in the number of father’s playing an active role in the lives of their children.