Our History

First 5 Fox Valley

First 5 Fox Valley is not a new organization, but one that is more than a decade old with a new perspective. First 5 has reorganized as a collaborative network of partners focused on systems change. With Help Me Grow – Fox Valley, we are leveraging our impact on a larger more sustainable scale for the important work of cultivating a community that empowers and supports every family in building a solid foundation for young children.  Launching Help Me Grow Fox Valley in 2021, First 5 is the Wisconsin affiliate of Help Me Grow National Center. 

Originally known as the Fox Valley Early Childhood Coalition, our organization was previously focused on programs and projects setting the stage for today’s systems-level work. Our community-based group serves the counties of Outagamie, Calumet and Winnebago, and was founded with the support of Child Care Resource and Referral and other community partners. Notable accomplishments in the last ten years include: 

• Won a Celebrate Children Foundation Public-Private Partnership grant
• Received one of Wisconsin’s Race to the Top grants 
• Published data reports such as the State of the Fox Valley Child: Birth to Five (2016 & 2019)
• Partnered in the planning and implementation of the Community Early Learning Center of the Fox Valley
• Produced and distributed The Parent Outlet resource guide
• Became the first the Wisconsin affiliate of Help Me Grow National

First Five Fox Valley seeks to build community partnerships for large scale collaborative and sustainable ventures- and the establishment of the Help Me Grow project is the next step in creating a community hub for linking early childhood resources; and expanding developmental screening and assessment.