Wisconsin Family Connections Center

CARE Webinar Series: Forgiveness
2025-12-18 17:00 - 18:00 UTC | Zoom
Do you know or care for a child who is affected by parental substance misuse? Whether you are a grandparent, relative, foster parent, neighbor, friend, non-parental caregiver, educator, or youth-serving professional, this free & confidential webinar series is for you!
Each month will feature different topics on addiction led by expert guest speakers. Each webinar will be held on a Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
For questions or assistance with registration, please contact the Tree House at 262-755-8733 or jenna@treehouseforkids.net.
The CARE Webinar Series is presented in partnership by the Tree House Child and Family Center and Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services.

Teen and Parent/Caregiver Night at Tactical Escape 101: Rice Lake
2025-12-16 17:30 - 2025-12-17 18:30 UTC | Tactical Escape 101, 2900 S Main St, Rice Lake, WI, 54868
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Teens and Parents/Caregivers, join WiFCC at Tactical Escape: 101 in Rice Lake on Tuesday, December 16th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a beginner’s level escape room. Our group will be doing the “Mystery at Miller Manor” room. To learn more, check out the Tactical Escape: 101 website here: https://tacticalescape101.com/rice-lake.
This event is designed for caregivers and teens ages 12+, so please note that at least one of your tickets should be for the accompanying adult. Please register for one ticket per person and list the ages of each attendee. If you have any questions about this event, contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org or 715-491-4752.
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.

The Juvenile Justice System and Out-of-Home Placements
2025-12-13 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Register

Zootopia 2 Family Movie at The Falls Theatre: River Falls
2025-12-13 09:30 - 10:00 UTC | The Falls Theatre, 105 South Main Street, River Falls, WI, 54022
Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregivers, and reunified families and individuals — join the WiFCC to enjoy the viewing of Zootopia 2 at The Falls Theatre in River Falls. Please plan to meet at the theater between 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to check in. The movie will begin at 10 am. Popcorn and a drink will be included for each attendee in your registration!
Movie Information:
Zootopia 2 (2025)
Rated PG
Please note that WiFCC will always choose family-friendly films rated PG or G; however, we have no control over the content or themes presented in the movie being shown at this event. This includes family dynamics and possible depictions of out-of-care and adoption-related topics. Please take a moment to visit sites such as https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ or http://www.adoptionlcsw.com/ to see if this film falls within the scope of what you wish your child to see.
If you have questions about this event, please reach out to 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.

Breakfast with Santa (Fond du Lac)
2025-12-13 08:00 - 12:00 UTC | UW Oshkosh–Fond du Lac, 400 University Drive, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935
Fond du Lac County is hosting its Breakfast with Santa Event on December 13, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Fond du Lac County Campus, located at 400 University Drive.
This event is to support children in out-of-home care. Cost is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The ticket includes breakfast (Pancakes, eggs, and bacon/sausage) and activities (Picture with Santa, Sleigh Ride, Cookie Decorating, and more).
Call Aliane at 920-906-4787 with questions.

Behavioral and Emotional Skills Training (BEST)℠ (December 2025)
2025-12-12 10:30 - 12:00 UTC | Virtual
An interactive training experience to teach and apply practical techniques for effective behavior management.

About the Program

Adults caring for children often have questions about how to set clear expectations and manage behavior effectively. Especially when children exhibit challenging behaviors, adults want to know exactly how to address these situations with strategies that promote positive behavior, good social-emotional development, and increased self-esteem.
The Child Mind Institute’s Behavioral and Emotional Skills Training (BEST)℠ provides this preparation for parents and caregivers. Informed by the most up-to-date research, clinicians provide caregivers with a structured and interactive training experience aimed at teaching and immediately applying practical techniques for effective behavior management.

Training Objectives for BEST

Understand the basics of behavior management
Learn and apply skills consistently and effectively
Increase confidence in managing challenging behaviors
Develop a behaviorally-minded network of other caregivers for continued support following training completion

BEST Topics Covered

Setting routines and clear behavioral expectations
Positive reinforcement
Redirection of minor misbehavior and active ignoring
Giving good directions
Effectively shaping behavioral goals and setting up individualized behavior plans
Reprimands, loss of privileges, and time-outs
Avoiding common pitfalls like yelling and escalating threats
How to take care of yourself while taking care of others
Planning to implement these strategies at home

To provide families with support during the COVID-19 crisis, we are bringing BEST online by providing families with pre-recorded webinars plus a live parent consultation with Matthew Ferrigno, PhD and Samantha Malick, PsyD.

Who Should Attend?

Parents, grandparents, babysitters, nannies, au pairs, or other caregivers are invited to participate in BEST.

Details

Registration options:
Full BEST Webinar Series (5 hours) including live parent consultation: $225. Being held on:

Friday, December 12, 2025, 10:30 – 12:00pm CST

BEST Webinar Series (5 hours) without parent consultation: $150

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be given for the webinar portion of the program once it has been sent to the registrant. If a participant cannot attend the live parent consultation session that they have signed up for, we will add them to the next available live session date. If they are unable to attend any live session, a refund for the live portion of the program will be given, provided the cancellation is made 30 days prior to the date of the original live program that they signed up for.
Please reach out with any questions to Beth Gononsky at Beth.Gononsky@childmind.org.

Empowered Families: Tools for Mental Health & Resilience - Cultural Proficiency in Action: Supporting Children and Families in Their Identity Journey
2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | WEBINAR
Empowered Families: Tools for Mental Health & Resilience is a FREE monthly webinar series hosted by Wisconsin Family Ties, designed to increase family knowledge and confidence in navigating the mental health challenges that children and teens may face. Each session offers practical tools, strategies, and real-world guidance to help families support youth effectively.
Webinars are open to all and grounded in strengths-based approaches that promote resilience, reduce stress, and strengthen partnerships between families, schools, and community providers.
We are thrilled to welcome special guest speaker Dr. KayLa N. Allen-Young, founder of Dear Mixed Girl. Dr. Allen-Young is nationally recognized for her work on identity development, belonging, and inclusion. She brings a powerful voice and deep expertise in helping families understand and celebrate the unique journeys of children and adolescents as they discover who they are.
What We’ll Cover:

Foundations of Cultural Proficiency: What cultural proficiency means and why it matters in supporting children and families.
Understanding Identity Development: How children form their identities and how culture, family, and environment influence that process.
Embracing Cultural Differences: Ways to recognize, honor, and respond to the diverse cultural backgrounds within your family and community.
Creating Emotionally Responsive Environments: Practical approaches to fostering spaces where all children feel seen, respected, and valued.
Support Strategies for Parents & Caregivers: Actionable tools to help families nurture each child’s unique identity with confidence and sensitivity.
Strengthening Family–Child Connections: Techniques to enhance communication, empathy, and cultural understanding within the family unit.
Real-Life Scenarios & Applications: Examples and guidance for applying cultural proficiency in everyday interactions and decision-making.

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from Dr. Allen-Young and walk away with practical insights you can use right away to support your child’s growth.
Questions?bContact Kaitlyn Healy for more information.
📧 Email: khealy@wifamilyties.org
Register

Parent/Caregiver Night at The Potter's Shed: Shell Lake
2025-12-10 17:30 - 18:30 UTC | The Potter’s Shed, 260 Industrial Blvd., Shell Lake, WI, 54871
Foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers, join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center at The Potter’s Shed for an evening of pottery and connection!
Registration is required for this event. Contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org with any questions.
Please note: This is an adult-only event, and no childcare will be available on-site. Please make arrangements accordingly. A $25 childcare reimbursement is available, one per family, for participants who must secure childcare in order to attend, if not already covered by another funding source.
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.

Live Webinar - Hope, Healing, and Connection: A Trauma-Responsive Journey for Families
2025-12-09 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Wisconsin Family Connections Center Classroom
Each family brings their own story—and with it, unique needs. Sometimes that story includes foster care, adoption, or guardianship. Often, needs show up right away, while others emerge as children grow and develop. In this webinar, we’ll take a gentle, trauma-responsive look at the emotional and behavioral challenges that can arise throughout the family’s journey. Together, we’ll explore how early adversity shapes the brain and behavior, how grief and loss may surface in different seasons of life, and how questions about identity and belonging can affect children as they grow. Most importantly, we’ll share practical ways families can nurture strong, healthy relationships and create deeper connections with their children.
Presenter: Samantha L. Wilson, PhD, IMH-E® IV, is Professor of Pediatrics in the division of Pediatric Psychology and Developmental Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is the Director of the International Adoption Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin and has been licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in Wisconsin since 2008. She provides trauma-informed, relationship-based assessment and intervention to children/teens and their families, exclusively with families formed by adoption/foster care. Academic publications cover aspects of adoption, effects of institutional care, and social-emotional development. She is an adjunct staff for the Wisconsin-based TIES Adoptive Family Travel program, a heritage travel experience for internationally adopted people and families. Dr. Wilson is currently credentialed within Wisconsin as an Infant Mental Health Mentor (Level IV – Clinical) and is recognized as a Wisconsin-based state trainer for Trauma-Informed, Child Parent Psychotherapy. Along with direct service to youth and families, she serves as a mentor within the University of Wisconsin Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health Capstone Program and provides mental health consultation to the Waukesha County (WI) Head Start Program. Lastly, she is a cadre member of Vibrant’s Crisis Emotional Care Team, through which she provides consultation and education to professionals supporting youth in the context of early adversity and/or disaster recovery.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Free | Registration is limited to 500 participants. Register for the live webinar by clicking here! Licensed foster parents will receive 2.0 training credits for participation in this webinar. Each individual participant must register separately to receive credit. Questions? Call us at 1-800-762-8063 or email info@wifamilyconnectionscenter.org

Zootopia 2 Family Movie Event - Appleton
2025-12-09 17:00 - 19:30 UTC | Marcus Valley Grand Cinema, W3091 Van Roy Rd, Appleton, WI, 54915
Please join the WiFCC for Zootopia 2 in theaters! Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families are welcome to attend. Each family can have up to eight people from their family attend this event.
We have rented the auditorium exclusively for our group. Each attendee will receive a movie ticket, a 20-oz fountain beverage, popcorn, and candy of their choice.
Plan to arrive between 5:00 pm and 5:20 pm to check in and grab your drinks/snacks before the movie starts at 5:30 pm.
Due to the 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 regarding this event or require special accommodations, 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.

Family Fun Night at Skate City: Rice Lake
2025-12-09 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Skate City – Rice Lake, 2057 17 1/2 Avenue, Rice Lake, WI, 54868, United States
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families – join WiFCC for family fun night at Skate City in Rice Lake on Tuesday, December 9th, from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm! Along with skating, Skate City features a playland for children 11 years old and under. Pizza and beverages will be provided!
Please note that there is a maximum of 5 tickets per family.
To learn more about Skate City, check out their website: http://www.sk8city.com/.
All children must have a guardian/parent present for the entire event. Each attendee, regardless of plans to skate or not, must have a registered ticket. Please note that this may not be a sensory-friendly event due to loud music and lights on the rink. If you have any questions about this event, please 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.

Christmas with Santa & the WiFCC- Busy Barn Adventure Farms: Fort Atkinson
2025-12-07 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Busy Barn Farm Adventures, W7675 US-12, Fort Atkinson, WI, 53538
Wisconsin Family Connections Center invites you to a special Christmas on the Farm Event at Busy Barn Farm Adventures in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Bring the whole family for a magical moment with Santa. Say hello, share your wish list, and snap a festive photo to remember. You won’t want to miss Mrs. Claus’s story time as she reads some of her favorite Christmas stories while you enjoy cookies and milk. Take a stroll out to Santa’s stables to visit and feed some of the furry and feathered friends on the farm (weather dependent and please dress accordingly). This private event is intended for foster, adoptive, guardianship, reunified, and relative caregiver families residing in the State of Wisconsin.
For additional information on Busy Barn Adventure Farms, please visit: https://www.busybarnsfarm.com.
Tickets are limited to 6 individuals per household. For any questions or accommodation needs, please email Jamie at jsocolick@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.

Eau Claire Children's Theatre Polar Express Holiday Party: Eau Claire
2025-12-06 13:30 - 15:30 UTC | Eau Claire Children’s Theatre, 1814 N Oxford Ave, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
Join WiFCC on Saturday, December 6th at 1:30 pm at the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre for The Polar Express Holiday Party! This event will feature model trains, Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, holiday bingo, a reading of The Polar Express, and more! This event is intended for foster, adoptive, guardianship, reunified, and relative caregiver families. Please feel free to wear holiday pajamas or festive sweaters!
There is a maximum of 6 tickets per family/household. If you have questions about this event, please contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org.
Due to the 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.
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.

Families Like Mine: Wisconsin Relative Caregivers for Children-SE Wisconsin
2025-12-06 10:00 - 14:00 UTC | Coalition for Children, Youth & Families, 6737 W Washington St. Ste. 2353, West Allis, WI, 53214, United States
Join us at the Families Like Mine Regional Event for Wisconsin Relative Caregivers of Children – let’s share, learn, and support each other!

This Families Like Mine is a free regional event for relative caregivers in SE Wisconsin who are caring for children both through child welfare and informally. This drop-in event at Summit Place-Coalition for Children, Youth & Families will take place from 10:00am-2:00pm. Please come when it is convenient for you.
This event will feature:

Regional and state-wide vendors that support relative and like-kin caregiving families
Provide opportunities to connect with experienced relative and like-kin caregivers to build support andconnection
Offer a family activity for relative and like-kincaregivers to bond with the children in their care

Attendees will have opportunities to meet and connect with other relative caregivers from throughout the state, as well as collect resources for ongoing support.
Please note- This is a drop-in event. You do not need to stay the entire time. Bringing the children in your care is optional.

Please register to attend on Eventbrite!

WiFCC Birth Parent Smash Room and Splatter Paint: Appleton
2025-12-04 19:00 - 21:00 UTC | The Breaking Point Rage Room, 2011 N Richmond St, Appleton, WI, 54911
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

This event is open to all birth parents who have had a child placed for adoption, no matter what type of adoption or which agency was involved. Regardless of how long it’s been since placement occurred, you are eligible to sign up for this event.
Join the WiFCC at The Breaking Room in Appleton to engage in a 45-minute fun, stress-relieving smash room. Use bats, golf clubs, and other tools to break ceramic, glass, and metal bustables! There will be an additional 15 minutes to participate in a splatter paint room to create your own canvas. Enjoy throwing paint with squirt guns, paint brushes, and more.
The facility will provide coveralls, gloves, and a face shield to protect you from any flying debris. Please be sure to dress comfortably and wear closed-toed shoes. For more information, check out their website here: https://www.thebreakingpointllc.com/.
If you would like to join, there will be additional time after the event for conversation and snacks at a nearby restaurant. More details to come.
We want all attendees to feel comfortable while meeting other birth parents, which is why we are offering a support person ticket type for this event. This ticket will allow you to bring one supportive person to this event who does not need to identify as a birth parent.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Karla at kmeyer@cclse.org or 715-577-3999.
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
2025-12-02 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

The Power of Connection: A Parent's Greatest Protective Tool
2025-12-02 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | WEBINAR
Parent-child connection is key to healthy development and family well-being. Susan Caso will share how genuine connectedness protects kids from mental health challenges, substance use, and the pressures of growing up in a digital world. Learn practical ways to foster open communication, build trust, and strengthen bonds so children feel safe, seen, and supported.
Register

Caregiver Coffee Meet Up: Madison
2025-11-22 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Mercies Coffee, 1748 Eagan Road, Madison, WI, 53704
Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for this opportunity to meet with other caregivers and make connections! Come enjoy a meal and a cup of coffee on us and get to know other adoptive, guardianship, foster, kinship, and reunified caregivers in your area.
We will meet at Mercies Coffee in Madison, WI. Each registrant will receive up to $15.00 towards the purchase of food or drink (non-alcoholic beverages) during our time together. You can view the menu here: https://merciescoffeewi.com/#our-menu
This is a great opportunity to bring any questions, resources, or fun facts to a group of other caregivers. If you have any questions, please contact Megan at mmiller@cclse.org.
Please note: This is an adult-only event, and no childcare will be available on site.
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.

CARE Webinar Series: Addiction Recovery
2025-11-20 17:00 - 18:00 UTC | Zoom

Grief in the Teenage Years: What We Miss & What They Need
2025-11-20 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | Online
Teens navigating grief often respond with phrases like, “I’m fine” or “It’s no big deal,” leaving adults uncertain whether to inquire further. Yet, beneath the surface, many teens carry the weight of their loss in silence. In this webinar, Dougy Center staff will explore the unique ways teens experience and express grief, dispel common myths, and offer strategies for creating safe spaces where they feel seen, heard, and supported.
Presented by Jana DeCristofaro, LCSW, Alysha Lacey, LPC, ATR, FT, and Monique B. Mitchell, PhD, FT
Children’s Grief Awareness Day, November 20, 2025
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., PST
FREE TO ATTEND
Registration closes 10 a.m., PST, November 19, 2025

Building Blocks for Effective Co-Parenting
2025-11-20 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | Zoom
Join CWLA for a webinar to explore Building Blocks for Effective Co-Parenting, an engaging, informative framework that highlights the importance of effective co-parenting. When done properly, effective co-parenting can aid and assist in the overall growth and healthy development of children.
We understand that families become separated for a variety of reasons. With the upcoming holiday season, it can be especially difficult for separated parents and their children. This webinar provides an opportunity to:

recognize reasons why some relationships end
learn how these actions can impact children’s identity and self-esteem
offer strength-based, solution-focused strategies and techniques to create consistency and support for all parties involved.

Many of these core principles can be applied to all families—including birth, kin, foster, and adoptive.
Presenter: Marcus Stallworth, LMSW, CWLA Director of Training and Implementation

Live Webinar: Boys with Braids
2025-11-18 12:00 - 13:30 UTC | Wisconsin Family Connections Center Classroom
The Boys With Braids webinar raises awareness about the cultural and spiritual significance of braids for Native boys and men. It highlights the importance of identity, resilience, and cultural pride while addressing stereotypes and promoting understanding among families, schools, and communities. Through storytelling and education, the presentation fosters respect for traditional practices and encourages positive self-identity for Native youth.
Presenter: Michael Duncan – Founder & CEO, Native Dads NetworkMichael Duncan is an enrolled member of the Round Valley Indian Tribes with Maidu, Wailaki, Wintun, and Western Band Shoshone heritage. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Native Dads Network Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in 2014 to support the healing and empowerment of Native fathers, families, and communities.
Michael is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II (CADC II) and has over fifteen years of experience working in Native communities, facilitating culturally grounded programs that focus on wellness, fatherhood, and intergenerational healing. He is a certified trainer of trainers of the Fatherhood/Motherhood Is Sacred curriculum and has brought these teachings to Tribal communities across California.
Through workshops, presentations, and community events, Michael addresses critical issues such as historical and intergenerational trauma, cultural identity, substance abuse prevention, suicide prevention, and healthy relationships. He uses traditional teachings, personal stories, and lived experience to break cycles of harm and support cultural revitalization and healing.
Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 12:00-1:30 PM
Free | Registration is limited to 500 participants. Register for the live webinar by clicking here! Licensed foster parents will receive 1.5 training credits for participation in this webinar. Each individual participant must register separately to receive credit. Questions? Call us at 1-800-762-8063 or email info@wifamilyconnectionscenter.org

Parent/Caregiver Coffee Meet-up at The Gingerbread House: Muskego
2025-11-18 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | The Gingerbread House, S63W16147 College Ave., Muskego, WI, 53150
Foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers, join us to connect, learn, and share! Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for this opportunity to meet with other caregivers and make connections! We will meet at The Gingerbread House in Muskego, WI. Each registrant will receive a food or drink purchase of up to $15.
You can view their menu here: https://gingerbreadfarmhouse.com/
Registration is required for this event. Contact Jamie at jsocolick@cclse.org with any questions. Please note: This is an adult-only event, and no childcare will be available on site. Please make arrangements accordingly. A $25 childcare reimbursement, per family, is available for folks who must secure childcare in order to attend, if not already covered by another funding source.
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.

Family Play " Flat Stanley Jr." at Racine Children's Theater: Racine
2025-11-16 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Racine Children’s Theater, 2519 Northwestern Ave, Racine, WI, 53404
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families: join the WiFCC at The Racine Children’s Theatre for “The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Jr.” at 12:00 pm! The show will last approximately 1 hour, and each family can register for up to 5 tickets (for adults and children four and older).
Based on the best-selling book series, Stanley folds his way around the world with his flat-tastic hijinks. Stanley Lambchop is your ordinary, everyday ten-year-old until the bulletin board on the wall above his bed comes loose and falls right on top of him. The next morning, Stanley wakes up flat. In a whirlwind musical travelogue, Stanley—the ultimate exchange student—scours the globe for a solution to his unusual problem. He’s stamped, posted, and cancelled from Hollywood and France to Honolulu and beyond, all in an effort to become a three-dimensional boy once more.
The Packy Play Experience
At the performances, Packy, our friendly elephant mascot, welcomes the audience and introduces the show. The plays are family-friendly, fun-filled, with action, humor, audience participation, imaginative storylines, and catchy tunes to keep kids interested and involved.
Packy’s Theatre Rules
Plays are appropriate for children ages four and older. Children younger than 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Please do not bring babies.
No eating or drinking allowed in the theater. Concession sold at the performance should be consumed in the lobby.
The taking of pictures and the use of recording devices are prohibited during the performance.
Children with distracting behaviors will be asked to leave the auditorium.
Additional information can be found on their website at: https://racinetheatre.org/
For any questions or accommodations, please reach out to Christy at ctimm@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.

3rd Annual Rock County Foster Care Conference
2025-11-15 08:30 - 16:30 UTC | Dr. Daniel Hale Williams Rock County Resource Center, 1717 Center Avenue, Janesville, WI, 53546
The Third Annual Rock County Foster Parent conference will be a day that promises to be both informative and engaging for all attendees!
Our day will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with check-in and morning refreshments. The Welcome and Opening Remarks will be given by Shelbey Shelton, CPS Lead Supervisor. There will be a conference icebreaker for all attendees. We are pleased to welcome Emi Nietfeld as our morning keynote speaker. Emi is a Harvard graduate, software engineer, journalist, public speaker, and award-winning author! Her memoir, Acceptance, tells her personal journey of her time in foster care and periods of homelessness. She will speak on the true meaning of Resilience.
There will be opportunities for small breakout sessions during the day; covering topics such as internet safety, first aid/cpr, managing risky behaviors, LGBTQIA+, and stress management. Attendees will be able to rank their preferred breakout sessions.
Lunch will be catered by Hacienda Real of Janesville!
Our closing keynote will be given by Patricia Carroll, UW Extension, Associate Professor in the Department of Family Development. She specializes in Human Development and Relationships. Professor Carroll will speak on The Importance of Parental Confidence.
Please see the Conference booklet for more information about the speakers and their presentations.
The conference is a great opportunity to obtain 8 hours of ongoing foster parent training credit, network with other foster parents, and gain insights from experts in the field!
Please see the PDF booklet of available break-out sessions, information about the presenters, and the detailed schedule.

Healing Centered Families Wisconsin 2025 Conference
2025-11-15 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Chula Vista Resort, 2501 River Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965, United States
A free conference for reunified, adoptive, permanent guardianship families, and foster families who are on the path to permanency.
Healing Centered Families is a free statewide conference for reunified, adoptive, permanent guardianship families, and foster families who are on the path to permanency. This all-day conference will feature a dynamic keynote speaker, experts within the field, time to connect with other caregivers, as well as a resource room.
Keynote:

Attaching to Heal or Healing to Attach/Jaclyn Skalnik, founder of Adoption Wellness, LLC

Presentation Topics:

Attachment (Keynote Follow-Up Presentation)/Jaclyn Skalnik
Children’s Mental Health (OCMH)/Andrea Turtenwald
Navigating the School System/Julie Quigley, Autism United of Wisconsin

A block of rooms has been reserved for both Friday night, November 14, 2025 and Saturday night, November 15, 2025. To reserve a room, call the Chula Vista Resort directly at 1-833-509-1665. Please refer to booking ID#: K94459 Coalition for Children & Families for the “Healing Centered Families Conference.” Please make your reservation by November 1st to receive the special group rate of $98 for a single occupancy room or for $139 for a double-quad occupancy room . *We cannot guarantee waterpark hours and/or operation.
Please note- The conference is for adult attendees only. Children will not be admitted to the conference. Please arrange for childcare.

Healing Centered Families Conference 2025
2025-11-15 | Chula Vista Resort, 2501 River Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965, United States
Save the Date!

A conference for guardians, adoptive parents, foster parents, reunified parents, or any family on the path to permanency.

Webinar: Thinking About Supported Decision Making (November 13, 2025)
2025-11-13 17:00 - 18:00 UTC | Zoom
We explore the things that families need to know about decision-making supports and other legal tools for adults in Wisconsin, including guardianship. This session is helpful for families with children ages 14 and older, and the providers and educators who work with them. This is presented in partnership with Morgan’s Caring Connections.
After you sign up you will get an email with a link and information about joining the session.

Adult Adoptee Coffee Meetup: Eau Claire
2025-11-08 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Kahvi Coffee House & Cafe, 3830 Talmadge Road, Eau Claire, WI, 54701
Adult adoptees ~ Please join us at Kahvi Coffee House & Cafe (in their private meeting room) in Eau Claire for a morning of coffee or tea and conversation! This event is casual and intended for adult adoptees to connect with other adult adoptees, but please note you are welcome to also register another trusted adult to attend with you if you wish. The first $15 in coffee and/or food is on us! Feel free to bring a resource or any questions you need input or advice on, if you would like.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Parent/Caregiver Support Coffee Meet-Up: La Crosse
2025-11-08 09:00 - 11:30 UTC | JavaVino, 2311 State Road, La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
Foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers, join us to connect, learn, and share!
Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for an opportunity to meet with other caregivers and make connections! We will meet at JavaVino in La Crosse, WI. Each registrant will receive a food or drink purchase of up to $10. You can view the menu here: https://javavinolax.com/menu/
Registration is required for this event. Contact Breanna at bcalko@cclse.org with any questions.
Please note: This is an adult-only event, and no childcare will be available on site. Please make arrangements accordingly. A $25 childcare reimbursement is available, per family, for folks who must secure childcare in order to attend, if not already covered by another funding source.
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.
