Virtual Group: Trauma Informed Parenting
2026-08-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-21 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-10-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-11-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
For WI caregivers who are parenting youth with a high level of need due to complex trauma histories related to adoption or out-of-home care.

Adoptive, Kinship, Reunified, Foster, & Guardianship parents and caregivers: Please join us for a trauma-informed virtual support group just for you! This group is especially for caregivers who are:
-Parenting youth with trauma histories
-Parenting youth with emotional or behavioral challenges and/or diagnoses such as RAD, DMDD, & ODD.
The group meets on the 3rd Monday of each month from noon (12:00 pm) – 1:00 pm. There will be monthly focus areas for discussion and/or guest speakers to support ongoing learning, but always with plenty of time for connection and support. Please register early as group size is limited.
This group is facilitated by WIFCC Case Manager Allison Kunkel MS, APSW. With questions, please email wifcc@cclse.org.
Please note: This group is specifically designed to provide support for the caregivers of youth with a high level of presenting need because of past trauma histories, emotional/behavioral challenges or diagnoses. You will be asked to confirm that this applies to you within your registration. If you are interested in a more social group that still has a connected parenting approach, please check out some of our other virtual support group options at https://wifcc.eventbrite.com/
This online group will utilize Zoom to connect over video chat. You will need to have access to a smart phone with the free Zoom app, or a computer with a camera and microphone.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

WiFCC Mom's Summer Night Out - Floral Workshop: De Pere
2026-08-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Ginger Birch, 622 George St, De Pere, WI, 54115
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale June 1 @6pm)

If you are a foster, pre-adoptive, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, or reunified mom, join WiFCC for a fun and creative evening where we join Angie at Ginger Birch to create a beautiful late summer floral arrangement. We’ll learn the basics of fresh floral care & design principles all while having fun!
Each participant will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of flowers to work with and a vessel to go home with.
Contact Val at vzegers@cclse.org with any questions.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-08-20 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
A virtual group to support relative caregivers, caring for children.

Join us for this opportunity to connect with other relative caregivers who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as a way to share the joys and challenges of being a relative caregiver. Our meetings will continue to be held virtually on one Thursday every month from 11am-12pm.
You will need to have an internet connection, computer or phone with the free Zoom app, a webcam and microphone. Please contact Breanna at bcalko@cclse.org with questions.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
All dates for 2026 are Thursdays at 11AM.

September 17
October 22
November 19
December 17

As a reminder this is for Wisconsin Residents who are relative caregivers of children.

End of Summer at The Ball Park: Appleton - Sponsored by Jockey Being Family
2026-08-23 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Fox Cities Stadium, 2400 North Casaloma Drive, Appleton, WI, 54913
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (starts June 1, 2026 @6pm)

Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship & relative/kinship families! It’s an end-of-summer day at the ballpark! Jockey Being Family and the WiFCC is sponsoring an event for your families at Fox Cities Stadium for a Timber Rattlers game! We have reserved three loft suites for our families! Included in the experience will be an all-you-can-eat buffet starting 90 minutes before game time and a ticket to the Kids Zone. Each attendee receives a ticket to the game, access to the all-you-can-eat buffet and three non-alcoholic beverages per person.
You do NOT need to register for a child that is two years old and younger if they do not occupy a seat. They will not need a ticket, so you DO NOT need to include them in your number of attendees. In order to make attendance possible for the greatest number of families, each family can reserve up to 6 tickets.
*Digital Game Tickets and parking passes will be sent to you via email the week prior to the game.
If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Val at vzegers@cclse.org.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Foster Parent and Adoptive Parent Support Group - Fond du Lac
2026-09-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-10-06 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-12-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-02-02 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-03-02 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Grace and Truth Christian Fellowship, N5776 County Rd D, Fond du Laz, WI, 54937
This group will have training opportunities, help and guidance with questions and concerns, and help to build relationships with others who are walking similar roads. Led by fellow foster parents.
A time of encouragement, support, and community.
Light refreshments and childcare will be provided. Please notify us if you will be utilizing childcare so we can plan accordingly.
Meeting on the first Tuesday of every month.
Email Lydia Duke for more info joelandlydia13@gmail.com

Family Fun Day at Fergusons Orchard: Eau Claire
2026-09-12 09:30 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Fergusons Orchard – Eau Claire, 6470 Balsam Rd., Eau Claire, WI, 54701
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale August 7 @6pm)

Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship and reunified families – join WiFCC at Ferguson’s Orchard on Saturday, September 12th, 2026 starting at 10:00am. Ferguson’s offers a corn pit, friendly farm animals, corn maze, straw bale pyramid and much more!
Please plan to arrive between 10:00am and 11:00am to check in with WiFCC staff and gain entrance into the orchard. After checking in between 10:00am and 11:00am, feel free to stay a few hours or the whole day! The orchard is open until 6:00pm. The tickets will be season passes and able to be used for the remainder of their season.
The cost of apples, pumpkins, store products, and attractions are NOT covered by basic admission. Please note: we must have the names of each attendee so they can secure their season pass to the orchard. Ages 2 and under are free and do not need to be included in your list of attendees for the season pass.
There is a maximum of 5 tickets per household. Any additional tickets needed can be purchased online prior to the event or at the orchard the day of the event. To purchase tickets and to learn more about the orchard, visit their website: https://fergusonsorchard.com/eau-claire-home/.
Due to popularity of family events, please let your local WiFCC specialist know ahead of time if there is any reason you can no longer attend or need fewer tickets than you originally signed up for. We would like to accommodate as many families as possible.
If you have any questions about this event, contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Nature's Navigators STEM Camp
2026-09-12 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-19 13:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-24 13:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center, N194 County Rd. N, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
Nature’s Navigators STEM Camp aims to broaden science opportunities for autistic youth by providing a summer camp that supports inquisitiveness in a non-threatening, nontraditional, and inclusive learning environment. We provide nature-based, hands-on learning opportunities and encourage pursuing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) degrees and careers.
The camp is open to all autistic youth within grades 5-12. That includes youth with a medical diagnosis, self-diagnosis, or suspected diagnosis. Nature’s Navigators embraces neurodivergence and the associated unique thinking and learning of autistic youth through flexible teaching strategies.
Attendees will participate in hands-on outdoor and indoor activities, such as barging to and exploring Blackhawk Island, geocaching for treasure, Lego robotics, and hiking through beautiful landscapes. The camp will be held at Upham Woods, along the famous Dells (Dalles) of the Wisconsin River, two miles northwest of Wisconsin Dells. Upham Woods consists of 320 acres of land on the banks of the Wisconsin River, including a 210-acre island called Blackhawk Island, which offers an excellent “river classroom” to study Wisconsin’s natural and cultural history.
Nature’s Navigators is funded by the USDA-backed Wisconsin Rural Partnerships Institute, a gift from the Read Coakley Family Foundation, and gifts from other generous donors. The camp is free to all attendees. All youth campers must be accompanied by an adult during the duration of the camp sessions.
Registration is required and space is limited.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-09-17 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
A virtual group to support relative caregivers, caring for children.

Join us for this opportunity to connect with other relative caregivers who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as a way to share the joys and challenges of being a relative caregiver. Our meetings will continue to be held virtually on one Thursday every month from 11am-12pm.
You will need to have an internet connection, computer or phone with the free Zoom app, a webcam and microphone. Please contact Breanna at bcalko@cclse.org with questions.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
All dates for 2026 are Thursdays at 11AM.

October 22
November 19
December 17

As a reminder this is for Wisconsin Residents who are relative caregivers of children.

Family Fun Day at Burch Barn: Spooner
2026-09-26 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | The Burch Barn, N5921 Co Hwy K, Spooner, WI, 54801
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale August 28 @6pm)

Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families – bring the family out for some fall fun! Come and enjoy the many attractions The Burch Barn Pumpkin Patch offers – get lost in the corn maze, dig around in the corn pit, win a derby horse race, explore the pedal carts, or slide down the gunny sack slide.
We ask that families arrive between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to check in with WiFCC staff near the entrance and gain entry. The barn is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm and your family is welcome to stay for a few hours or for the whole day.
To learn more about The Burch Barn check out their website here: https://www.burchbarn.com/ The cost of concessions and/or store products are not covered by basic admission.
If you have questions about this event, contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org or 715-491-4752 (call/text).
This event would be a great opportunity to invite your child’s birth/first family or previous foster family. We understand this may not work for all families but encourage you to consider it. We hope to create an opportunity for children to have all their loved ones in one location whenever possible and create positive memories together. Please have each household register separately
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

WFAPA's Foster & Adoptive Parent Conference
2026-10-09 - 2026-10-11 | Holiday Inn Rothschild, 1000 Imperial Ave., Rothschild, WI, 54474
If you have been touched by adoption or foster care, you’ll want to attend this conference! Our conference offers a fantastic chance to discover the most recent state updates and to learn about the activities of WFAPA. It is specifically designed to equip and empower parents, caregivers and workers, enhancing their capacity to tackle the challenges associated with fostering and adoption.

Participants will have the chance to reflect on their current perspectives and discover new care strategies. Additionally, they will be able to connect with like-minded individuals from various backgrounds in child protection and out-of-home care.

It is specifically designed to equip and empower caregivers and workers, enhancing their capacity to tackle the challenges associated with fostering and adoption.
Register

Save the Date - Indigenous Peoples' Day 2026: Community Gathering & Potluck
2026-10-12 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Tthigwe Gymnasium, 3232 W Kilbourn Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53208
Milwaukee Intertribal Circle and HIR Wellness Institute welcome you to come together in community and resiliency to celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day again this year!
There will not be a “sign-up” for what you’re bringing. Simply feel free to share whatever you’d like. If you are unable to bring a dish to share, you’re still welcome! We are community and the goal is simply, to be together.
For more information see the Facebook post here.

The 2026 Families Rising Adoption & Foster Care Conference
2026-10-21 08:00 - 2026-10-22 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Virtual
A virtual conference for adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers AND child welfare professionals.
Registration opens May 4.

Calling all kinship families, youth advocates, and foster and adoptive parents! Plus, are you a caseworker, family support specialist, kinship navigator, or child therapist? Join our international social services community helping children and families everywhere THRIVE.
This year’s conference is VIRTUAL to ensure accessibility for all our US and Canadian communities.
More information

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-10-22 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
A virtual group to support relative caregivers, caring for children.

Join us for this opportunity to connect with other relative caregivers who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as a way to share the joys and challenges of being a relative caregiver. Our meetings will continue to be held virtually on one Thursday every month from 11am-12pm.
You will need to have an internet connection, computer or phone with the free Zoom app, a webcam and microphone. Please contact Breanna at bcalko@cclse.org with questions.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
All dates for 2026 are Thursdays at 11AM.

November 19
December 17

As a reminder this is for Wisconsin Residents who are relative caregivers of children.

BirthmomsConnect Virtual Support Group
2026-10-29 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-12-31 20:00 - 21:00 UTC | Zoom
Our BirthmomsConnect support calls are held via Zoom and available to anyone who has given birth to a child, anywhere, no matter their affiliation with On Your Feet Foundation or when they placed. The only requirements to participate are as follows:

You gave birth to and placed a child for adoption, and your placement is final.
You agree to be respectful at all times.
What is said in the group remains in the group.

To participate, please download the Zoom app. Registration is required to join the calls.
Please note: BirthmomsConnect Calls are open to anyone who has given birth to and placed a child for adoption. If you are an adoption professional, social worker, birthfather, or other individual who is interested in learning more about our virtual support groups, please contact Jennifer Adams. Do not register for the calls. This is a safe space and we ask you to be respectful of that.
If you are a birthparent of color, LGBTQIA+ individual, birthfather, or birth family member and are interested in a support call specifically for individuals who share your story and experience, please let us know by sending an email to Jennifer Adams.

On Your Feet Foundation is committed to fostering a community that celebrates the uniquely individual experiences that have brought each of us to adoption. We strive to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive space in order to create a culture of safety and belonging for all of our stakeholders, one in which each voice is valued and heard.
Unmoderated/Drop-in Calls :: Thursdays* 8PM CST | 9PM EST | 6PM PST
The 1st, 3rd, 4th (and in months that have one, 5th) Thursday of each month are drop-in-calls, meaning that there is no specific topic being discussed and it is an opportunity for birthparents to connect and talk. Please remember to listen and be respectful of one another. This call may be moderated by an On Your Feet staff member and any concerns will be brought to the attention of Case Management staff.
*Please note there will not be a drop-in call on Halloween (October 31st) or Thanksgiving (November 28th).

Save the Date - Children Come First Conference
2026-11-16 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Kalahari Resort, 1305 Kalahari Dr, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
📅 November 16–17, 2026
📍 Kalahari Resorts and Conventions | Wisconsin Dells
Join hundreds of passionate professionals, caregivers, youth advocates, and community leaders from across the state and beyond for two energizing days of learning, connection, and inspiration.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-11-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
A virtual group to support relative caregivers, caring for children.

Join us for this opportunity to connect with other relative caregivers who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as a way to share the joys and challenges of being a relative caregiver. Our meetings will continue to be held virtually on one Thursday every month from 11am-12pm.
You will need to have an internet connection, computer or phone with the free Zoom app, a webcam and microphone. Please contact Breanna at bcalko@cclse.org with questions.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
All dates for 2026 are Thursdays at 11AM.

December 17

As a reminder this is for Wisconsin Residents who are relative caregivers of children.

WiFCC Moms Night Out - Holiday Season Kick-Off: Appleton
2026-11-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape, 2600 N Casaloma Dr., Appleton, WI, 54913
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale September 12 @6pm)

Come Kick off the Holiday Season with a Moms Night Out! Foster, pre-adoptive, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, or reunified moms are welcome to come and relax while connecting with other moms touched by adoption or out-of-home care.
Learn how to decorate your own set of Christmas themed cookies with The Floured Whisk! You will be provided with 6 cookies, all the supplies to decorate, a box to take the cookie home along with the recipes and step by step instructions. Everyone will receive a thank you bag with a cookie cutter, some piping bags and some chocolates.
*We are prioritizing registration for this event to first time attendees for this event since Floured Whisk! was previously a event with us earlier this year.
You can be added to the Waitlist Ticket option and will be contacted directly should a spot become available.
Contact Val at vzegers@cclse.org with any questions.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-12-17 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
A virtual group to support relative caregivers, caring for children.

Join us for this opportunity to connect with other relative caregivers who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as a way to share the joys and challenges of being a relative caregiver. Our meetings will continue to be held virtually on one Thursday every month from 11am-12pm.
You will need to have an internet connection, computer or phone with the free Zoom app, a webcam and microphone. Please contact Breanna at bcalko@cclse.org with questions.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
All dates for 2026 are Thursdays at 11AM.
As a reminder this is for Wisconsin Residents who are relative caregivers of children.
