Families & Finances (Human Development & Relationships)
Families & Finances
Human Development & Relationships
Our programs cover topics such as parenting, family relationships, aging, and financial education. We promote the development of resilient individuals and communities across Wisconsin and at every stage of life.
Connect With Our Programs
Parenting and Family Relationships
Family Engagement and Relationships programs promote optimal child and family development via research-based educational classes and resources for parents and caregivers and the professionals who serve them.
Life Span
Life Span programs support individuals and families as they transition through the aging process by providing programming and resources on family caregiving, healthy aging, end-of-life planning, and by building local partnerships to create aging-friendly communities.
Financial Education
Financial Education programs help families and individuals across the state achieve financial well-being — where they have control over day-to-day and month-to-month finances, have money to pay for financial emergencies, stay on track to reach financial goals, and have the financial freedom to make choices that allow them to enjoy life.
Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference
January 28, 2025 | 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM | Virtual on Zoom
This free online event is perfect for parents, teachers, and all those who care for children. Learn hands-on tips from leading experts for raising healthy, resilient kids. This year, we’re focusing on unlocking the power of social and emotional skills in children and teens!
Upcoming Events
Find Your Local Office
Looking for more local programming and resources? Connect with your local Extension office. Our experts live and work in the communities they serve, giving them a deep understanding of local needs and priorities.
Program Spotlight
Impacts & Successes
Discover the impact of our programs. From parenting and co-parenting to literacy, financial coaching, and even dealing with end-of-life planning, our institute has made a difference for families across Wisconsin.
Rent Smart
Nine out of ten participants who moved reported finding housing that is safer, more affordable, and of better quality than what they had before participating in the program.
Aging-Friendly Communities
These communities become supportive environments for older people while also being attractive to young families seeking a place to settle down, in turn, positively impacting economic development and community vitality.
The Literacy Link
Ninety three percent of caregivers agreed that the videos helped their children stay connected to the parent in jail.
Money Matters
Ninety seven percent of participants expressed confidence in their ability to achieve self-set financial goals.
How We Help Wisconsin Families and Communities
We Help Families Overcome Challenges
Giving families the tools they need to thrive at every stage of life.
We Promote Strong Social Ties
Helping create social cohesion by connecting families to agencies and organizations.
We Build Community Capacity
Helping organizations make better plans to tackle complex issues.
We Support Family Stability
Working toward changing the conditions where people live, work, and play.
Our Values
We promote the development of resilient individuals and communities across Wisconsin and at every stage of life through meaningful partnerships and research-based education.
Service
We meet community needs by collaborating with local residents and partners and connecting them with university resources.
Inclusion
We foster belonging and respect and amplify diverse voices within our communities and our work.
Growth
We rely on current research to guide our work and evolve through innovation and quality improvement.
Director
Danielle Hairston-Green
Danielle Hairston-Green is the Director for the Extension Institute of Human Development & Relationships. In her role, she provides leadership for programs across multiple areas including Family Engagement & Relationships, Life Span, and Financial Education.
