Bear Hug Bernice: Creating Healing Relationships
The greatest human fear is the unknown. And foster care holds so many unknowns – for the parent, the caregiver, and most of all the child(ren). The most effective way […]
Support for Families and Caregivers Across Wisconsin
We provide resources, training, and support for families, youth, and professionals with past or present involvement in foster care, adoption, reunification, kinship, and guardianship. Whether you’re a relative caregiver, adoptive parent, foster parent, birth parent, or member of a reunified family, you don’t have to navigate it alone. The Wisconsin Family Connections Center is here to connect you to trusted resources, training, and support.
Find Support for Your Journey
Relative/Kinship Caregivers
Caring for a child who is a relative or family friend? Find resources, support groups, and guidance tailored to kinship caregivers.
Adoptive Families
Access post-adoption support, training, and resources to help your family thrive at every stage.
Foster Families & Those Considering Foster Care
Learn about foster care, find licensing contacts, and access training and support services.
Birth Parents & Birth Families
If you are considering adoption or navigating your role as a birth parent, we offer information, support, and guidance.
Reunified Families
Find resources to strengthen and stabilize your family for children returning from foster care or out-of-home placements.
How We Support Families
Information and Referrals
Speak with a specialist who can help you find the right resources, services, and support for your situation.
Training & Support Groups
Join workshops, webinars, and support groups to build skills, connect with others, and feel supported.
Resource Library
Browse guides, tools, and articles on parenting, mental health, adoption, and more.
Case Management Services (GIFTS)
Short-term personalized support for adoptive, guardianship, and reunified families in Wisconsin.
Resources for Caregivers & Families
Virtual Resource Kit: Food Insecurity & Childhood Trauma
Download the PDF Food is more than just nutrition for children who have experienced trauma; it represents safety, predictability, security, comfort, and care. When children have faced neglect or food […]
Supported Decision Making
What happens when an adult child is capable of some independence—but still needs a trusted voice and guidance to help think things through? Supported Decision Making (SDM) is a way […]
Prioritizing Presence and Mental Wellness
Caregivers don’t have to be perfect — they just have to be intentional. This handout explores why presence matters for children in foster, adoptive, and kinship care, and how even […]
When Your Caseworker Changes: For Foster and Kinship Parents
If you’re a foster parent or kinship caregiver in Wisconsin who has experienced caseworker turnover, this free handout offers practical guidance for navigating these transitions. High turnover in child welfare […]
Supporting Children from Families Affected by Parental Substance Use
This practical, quick reference guide helps caregivers understand and respond to the unique needs of children affected by parental substance use. The resource explains common trauma responses like hypervigilance, fight-flight-freeze […]
