First 5 Fox Valley

At the heart of our work is a simple belief: families should not have to navigate early childhood challenges alone.

Through partnerships, parent support, and community collaboration, we help connect families to services, resources, and organizations designed to help children thrive.

One of the ways First 5 Fox Valley supports families is through developmental screenings and early connections to resources through Help Me Grow, a program powered by First 5 Fox Valley.

When families have questions or concerns about their child’s development, our role is to help them determine what next steps may be needed and connect them to resources and community partners that support healthy development and help children thrive.

Today, First 5 Fox Valley helps bring partners together, align efforts, and make it easier for families to find the support they need.

And soon we will be doing that from the First 5 Fox Valley building in downtown Appleton. Opening in the fall of 2026, the rennovated building and Family Resource Center will become a hub for mission-aligned partners, community efforts, and resources so families can more easily access the support they need.

As more organizations came together around a shared goal, a vision began to emerge: children and families are strongest when communities work together.

Community initiatives, coalitions, and early childhood collaborations helped lay the groundwork for stronger support systems centered around children and families. Those efforts eventually evolved into what is now known as First 5 Fox Valley.

Recently, First 5 Fox Valley Family Resource Center Parent Ambassadors had the opportunity to meet with Jake Woodford and engage in meaningful conversations about families, community, and the future of the Fox Valley.

The Parent Ambassador program meets once a month for five months to build relationships, develop leadership skills, and help ensure family voices are represented in community conversations and decisions. Childcare is provided.

A special thank you to Women's Fund for the Fox Valley Region for their generous support of the Parent Ambassador program and their commitment to empowering parents and strengthening families throughout our community.

Interested in being part of a future Parent Ambassador cohort? Contact Chris at [email protected].

Long before there was a nonprofit called First 5 Fox Valley, community leaders were asking an important question. Families often found themselves navigating healthcare, education, childcare, and support services through disconnected systems. The path wasn't always clear.

That question sparked partnerships, collaboration, and a shared commitment to helping children and families thrive, laying the foundation for what would become First 5 Fox Valley.

Now, that vision is becoming a place. Opening in Fall 2026 in Downtown Appleton, the First 5 Fox Valley Family Resource Center will be a welcoming hub where families can connect with resources, build relationships, access support, and discover opportunities that help children thrive.

More than a building, it reflects decades of community collaboration and a shared belief: when families are supported, communities grow stronger.

You may be hearing more about First 5 Fox Valley lately, especially as excitement grows around the future Family Resource Center in downtown Appleton. But our story actually began long before the building. 💛

For more than 30 years, leaders and organizations across the Fox Valley have worked together to strengthen outcomes for young children and families.

Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, volunteered, and partnered with us for helping make the 2026 Fox Valley Family Empowerment Resource Fair a success! Your support connected families with valuable resources, strengthened community partnerships, and helped build a stronger network of care for children and families throughout the Fox Valley. 💙

The calendar says it's May but the weather is more like a Wisconsin July. This provides some good info on how to keep your babies safe from the sun and heat, and also how to get them acclimated to the warmer temperatures outside.

Is It Too Hot For My Child To Play Outside? We all love the sun! We love the pool, we love the playgrounds and riding our bike, but with the sun comes high temperatures and it is natural for a parent to worry about whether it is too hot for their child to safely enjoy the outdoors. The good news is, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), there...

🎵 FREE Kids Concerts are coming to Opera House Square! 🎶

Downtown Oshkosh's Music on Main is bringing THREE family-friendly Kids Concerts this summer — and they're absolutely FREE!

📅 June 10 | July 1 | August 12
⏰ Live at Noon
📍 Opera House Square, Downtown Oshkosh

Pack a blanket, bring the little ones, and enjoy live music right in the heart of downtown! 🌟

👉 More info: https://bit.ly/4dGiRfP