Internship at the Respite Center program

Center for Families has an internship opportunity for those interested in child development and child care.  This is an unpaid position in our Respite Center program.  12-15 hours per week.


The Respite Center works with families in crisis. Our 24 hour service is built upon the belief that well timed breaks from the difficult job of being a parent can help keep a family together. We work with families when the parent/child bond is at risk due to stresses such as poverty, social isolation, alcohol and other drug abuse, physical and emotional ill health, family and community violence, or poor parenting skills. These stressors affect all members of the family, continuing or creating destructive multi-generational patterns. The Respite Center interrupts these patterns through the provision of quality child care, counseling, and crisis intervention.


Your duties as an intern will assist our child care specialist staff in caring for children from birth through fourteen years of age with a wide range of social, emotional, and physical needs. You will meet with our social work staff during training and weekly at staff meeting to learn how we ensure that every member of the family needs are identified and met. You will undergo at least 40 hours of internal training and work closely with all staff during your time here. You will attend staff meeting each week and have a training and intern supervisor to meet with as you go along. You and your supervisor will come up with a project that will help the Respite Center program and meet your academic goals.


If you are interested there are other training opportunities available to you during your time here that are outside of your scheduled hours that the Respite Center will finance such as Shaken Baby/ Sudden Infant Death training, Infant and Child training , CPR, and First Aid. If you take advantage of the extra training opportunities you will be qualified as an early child care teacher in a child care setting including the Respite Center.

For more details or to discuss internship, please contact Meg Miller at 608-729-1180 or via email at megm@centerforfamilies.org

Seeking Substitute Childcare Specialist

Center for Families is seeking a Substitute Childcare Specialist for our Respite Center program.

This position requires a flexible schedule and includes day, overnight, and weekend hours.  Experience with children birth through 14 with diverse needs preferred.  Crisis intervention experience is a plus.


Contact Meg for additional information /application packet at 729-1180 or megm@centerforfamilies.org


The Respite Center is an equal opportunity employer.  Men, minorities and bi-lingual individuals are encouraged to apply.

Earn a donation for your cause by volunteering at The Brat Stand!

Center for Families is looking to partner with team to provide setup and tear down services* for our Brat Stand fundraiser happening during each UW Football home game. We need 6 to 8 people with the ability to bend, kneel, stand, and lift 40+ pounds. Each set-up and tear-down shift last approximately 1 hour (times vary based on kickoff times of the football games). Must be 18 or older.

Center for Families will gladly make a donation to your service group, or nonprofit of your choice, as a thank you for your partnership. If interested, please contact Julie at eventcoord@centerforfamilies.org. This is a first come/first serve opportunity as we would like to partner with one, maybe two, groups for the season and beyond.

*Duties include: unloading storage garage, setting up tent, serving area, tables, garbage cans, and fencing, hanging signage and other duties as needed.

Game dates are: 9/10, 9/17, 10/15, 10/29, 11/12 and 11/26.