This calendar includes opportunities for learning and connection from the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, the Coalition for Children, Youth & Families, and several other organizations across Wisconsin. (NOTE: Opportunities from the Wisconsin Family Connections Center are noted with a blue ribbon on the calendar below.)
–> Find training and event flyers here.
–> For a complete listing of Regional Events and Support Groups, please visit the Wisconsin Family Connections Center Eventbrite Page.
–> Find support group flyers here.
–> For information about Recorded Webinars, Upcoming Live Webinars, Courses, and Conferences, please visit the Champion Classrooms.
Events are added as information is made available to us. If you’d like to share an upcoming event with us, please contact us at info@wifamilyconnectionscenter.org.
Spence-Chapin’s Birth Parent Support Group is a virtual meet-up for individuals who made an adoption plan (with Spence-Chapin or elsewhere) and are in any stage in their placement journey. This group is a safe place to get support and know that you are not alone. Topics will include coping with feelings of grief and loss, sharing […]
This session explores the critical intersection of faith and adoption activism through the personal and professional experiences of both an adoptee and birth mother. Dr. Patrice Martin and Mellisa Lathion, MSN, share their journey of collaboration in establishing the Faith Collective for Truth and Healing in Adoption, highlighting the often overlooked impacts of adoption practices […]
The Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) is pleased to present the Conversations on Race, Equity, and Inclusion training series. The six-part training series offers an opportunity for social work and human service professionals to explore the following topics: Session 1) Being Color Brave and Culturally Humble Session 2) Implicit Bias and Different Types of […]
Be empowered with the skills needed to navigate raising children in today’s society, fostering strong, nurturing families and vibrant communities. Presenter: Ann-Marie St John, MS - Community Education Coordinator at Parents Place Ann-Marie develops and facilitates educational opportunities for parents, caregivers, and professionals. She received her BA in Elementary Education from UW-Platteville and her MS in Administrative Leadership […]
Learn strategies for helping children regulate strong emotions safely and learn some valuable coping strategies to maintain your own sense of calm. Presenter: Ann-Marie St John, MS - Community Education Coordinator at Parents Place Ann-Marie develops and facilitates educational opportunities for parents, caregivers, and professionals. She received her BA in Elementary Education from UW-Platteville and her MS in […]
Adult adoptees -- the Wisconsin Family Connections Center invites you to join us for a special event. Together, we will enjoy a viewing of the inaugural Adoptee Film Festival. The Adoptee Film Festival line-up features 10 short films by adoptee filmmakers that speak to the adoptee experience in some way. We will watch the films, […]
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families - Enjoy a fun day at the Henry Vilas Zoo with one another and the Wisconsin Family Connections Center! We have rented the Education Pavilion for our adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers and their youth to connect with one another. This event will include an exciting […]
Circles of Life is Wisconsin’s annual conference for families who have children with disabilities and the professionals who support them. Find full conference details and registration information on the conference website: https://familyvoiceswi.org/circles-of-life-conference/
Caregivers and teens--join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for an evening of connection and fun! WiFCC will be hosting an introduction to chocolate-making class, which begins by pouring your own chocolate bars and decorating them with toppings. We’ll taste and learn about the different types of single-origin chocolate, their ingredients, and flavor profiles. Also covered […]
Join the WiFCC at Buzz Social for bowling and a nacho bar on Friday, May 9th from 5:30 pm- 7:30 pm. Your registration includes unlimited bowling, shoes, nachos, and unlimited soda! This event is intended for adoption, foster, guardianship, relative caregivers, and reunified families. Due to the popularity of family events, please let your local […]
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 […]
Adult adoptees ~ Please join us at The Goat Coffee House (in their private conference 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 […]
Birthmother’s Day and Mother's Day can add up to a very difficult weekend for birthmothers, and spending it in community with people who understand that can help, which is why the On Your Feet (OYF) Foundation hosts a Birthmother's Day gathering every year. This year's hosts, Hope O. Helder and Erika Gonzales, are well-known in […]
Mark your calendars for the 2025 Rejuvenating Tribal Communities Conference Master of Ceremonies: Chance Rush Topics to include Preventing MMIP Mental Health Sex Trafficking Dealing with Loss & Grief Traditional Birth Self Care Power of Resiliency Foster Care Panel The conference is open to all Tribal communities and their employees Questions? For more info, contact […]
We will explore many ways family members can support literacy for their children at home during the summer. We will discuss why it’s important to support literacy in the summer, the 5 components of reading, and how parents can support them in summer, picking the "right" book, and other tips, strategies, and everyday opportunities for […]
Connect with other adult adoptees from around Wisconsin. This will be a space for discussing your adoption experiences with others who "get it," as well as for just getting to know one another and talking about life. This group has an open discussion format and is facilitated by an adult adoptee. This online group will […]
This session will provide an overview of DVR as well as Transition Services and Best Practices. We will also allow time for questions. Presenter: Amy May - WDA 3 Director has worked for DVR for 20 years as a counselor, supervisor, and now Director. Amy and Sarah co-lead the DVR Statewide Action Resource Transition Team […]
Engage in a discussion with a parent education expert about the highs and lows of parenting using evidence-based strategies for overcoming challenges, enhancing the joys of parenting, and fostering a deeper connection with your children. Presenter: Ann-Marie St John, MS - Community Education Coordinator at Parents Place Ann-Marie develops and facilitates educational opportunities for parents, caregivers, […]
Raising children through foster care, kinship care, adoption, or after reunification comes with unique challenges—but you don't have to face them alone. The Wisconsin Family Connections Center offers FREE resources, support, and community connections designed specifically for families like yours. In this one-hour webinar, discover how our statewide network can provide: Personalized guidance from compassionate […]
Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for an evening of connection and fun! This event is for adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families. Justine Cleveland, LCSW, is facilitating the event at her equine therapy location. Caregiver/teen pairs will participate in fun activities to connect with each other and the horses. Dinner and water/soda will […]
Join the WiFCC for a fun-filled evening at the Children’s Museum of La Crosse. The Museum offers non-traditional learning opportunities that help kids of all ages see, touch, learn, and grow through important developmental milestones while having fun while learning. This is a privately booked event that will allow you access to all of the […]
Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center (WiFCC) as we indulge in America's favorite pastime! Come out to the ballpark to watch the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field in Milwaukee, WI. The game starts at 7:10 pm, and our tickets will be in the Loge Outfield section on the first […]
Wisconsin Family Connections Center invites adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative/kinship, and/or reunified families to participate in an opportunity for a free family photo mini session in Rice Lake. Each family will have a 10-minute mini session with a professional photographer and will receive 5 edited, digital images within 4 weeks of the photo shoot. If you […]
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families -- Join us for a special event sponsored by the Wisconsin Family Connections Center and Jockey Being Family, in partnership with the CEDAR Center! Come spend the morning or afternoon connecting with nature and horses, and find out how this can be a way to strengthen our connection with ourselves, […]
Caregivers and teens, join WiFCC for a Pressed Flower Frame Workshop at the New Berlin Public Library- Heritage Room with Linda Laake Designs. What a perfect way to bloom into summer. Join us on Sunday, May 18th, from 1:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. Linda Laake Designs will be providing us fun instruction and WiFCC will […]
Wisconsin Family Connections Center invites adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative/kinship, and/or reunified families to participate in an opportunity for a free family photo mini-session in Wausau. Each family will have a 15-minute mini-session with a professional photographer and will receive five edited digital images within 4 weeks of the photo shoot. If you have attended a […]
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 ago placement occurred, you are eligible to sign up for this event. Join WiFCC at Board & Brush Creative Studio in Sun Prairie for […]
This session is a broad overview of the transition to adult life for our soon-to-be-adults with special health care needs or disabilities. We'll share hints and tips so you can start planning for the aspects of life that often change at adulthood, including at school, in health care settings, and in long-term support programs. We'll […]
May is National Foster Care Awareness Month. During this important panel discussion, former foster youth will reflect on their years in foster care and share openly about their personal experiences. What were some highs and lows of their journey? How could they have been better prepared for adulthood? What do they wish foster parents knew? […]
Engage in a discussion with a parent education expert about the highs and lows of parenting using evidence-based strategies for overcoming challenges, enhancing the joys of parenting, and fostering a deeper connection with your children. Presenter: Ann-Marie St John, MS - Community Education Coordinator at Parents Place Ann-Marie develops and facilitates educational opportunities for parents, caregivers, […]
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 ago placement occurred, you are eligible to sign up for this event. Join the WiFCC at Bust-N-Stuff to engage in a fun, stress-relieving smash […]
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 […]
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 Nautical Coffee Company in Baraboo, WI. Each registrant will receive a food or drink purchase of up to $10. You […]
CWLA is pleased to partner with Dr. Ira J. Chasnoff, the Founder & President of NTI Upstream, to bring you the vital training series Drugs, Alcohol, Pregnancy & the Vulnerable Child. We are also grateful to James Bell Associates for their generous sponsorship of the series to support greater participation. This training series will explore […]
Children become teenagers who become adults. Everyone wants to and deserves to live the life they want to live! A Self-Determined Life. Family members (parents) want their children to succeed and be safe. Parents will always worry about their children, no matter how old they are. Hunter and Tim are working together to learn how […]
Learn about what is happening right here in our Wisconsin community…foster parents and social work professionals will be here to share their experiences and answer questions. This virtual meeting is FREE and there is no obligation other than listening and asking questions! Hosted by Norris foster parents and foster care staff. Reserve your spot here: https://forms.gle/LdTAxnn6SVtae3zp8 […]
Please save the date for this year's Foster Care Coordinators' conference. More details will be coming soon! Thursday, May 29, 2025, 9:00 am--5:00 pm Friday, May 30, 2025, 9:00 am--12:00 pm The Wilderness Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Healthy self-esteem gives kids confidence in themselves and their abilities. Learn the building blocks for healthy self-esteem. Presenter: Ann-Marie St John, MS - Community Education Coordinator at Parents Place Ann-Marie develops and facilitates educational opportunities for parents, caregivers, and professionals. She received her BA in Elementary Education from UW-Platteville and her MS in Administrative Leadership from UW-Milwaukee. She is […]
Healthy self-esteem gives kids confidence in themselves and their abilities. Learn the building blocks for healthy self-esteem. Presenter: Ann-Marie St John, MS - Community Education Coordinator at Parents Place Ann-Marie develops and facilitates educational opportunities for parents, caregivers, and professionals. She received her BA in Elementary Education from UW-Platteville and her MS in Administrative Leadership from UW-Milwaukee. She […]
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 […]
The Wisconsin Family Connections Center, along with the Journeys Program, invites your family to Wisconsin Dells for a night full of pizza, music, crafts, games, connection, and bingo! Our night will begin with check-in at 5:30 p.m., followed by pizza at 6:00 p.m. Bingo will start at 7:00 p.m. and will last approximately one hour. […]
Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families and individuals—join WiFCC to enjoy the live-action movie Lilo & Stitch at Lake 7 Theatre in Rice Lake. Please plan to check in at 9 a.m. A drink and popcorn will be included in your registration! Movie Information: Lilo & Stitch (2025) Rated PG Please note […]
Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for this opportunity to meet with other caregivers and make connections! Come enjoy a meal and 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 […]
The Wisconsin Family Connections Center invites adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative/kinship, and reunified families to kick off a season of nature exploration with a Day at Devil's Lake State Park! This event will start with everyone meeting at the Nature Center! The Nature Center makes a great start for your visit to Devil’s Lake State Park. […]
