Wisconsin Family Connections Center

Foster Parent and Adoptive Parent Support Group - Fond du Lac
2026-06-02 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-03-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-02-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-01-06 18:00 - 19:00, 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

BirthmomsConnect Virtual Support Group
2026-05-28 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-30 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-23 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-03-26 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-02-26 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-29 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-01-22 20:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-25 20:00 - 21:00 UTC and 1 more date | 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).

Cookies & Conversation - Moms Night Out!
2026-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | 1715 East Main Street Little Chute, WI 54140, 1715 East Main Street, Little Chute, WI, 54140
Please join the WiFCC for a Mom’s Night Out! Foster, pre-adoptive, and adoptive moms are welcome to come and relax while connecting with other moms touched by adoption.
Learn how to decorate your own set of Valentine-themed cookies with The Floured Whisk! You will be provided with six cookies, all the supplies to decorate, a box to take the cookies 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.
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.

Family Fun Night at The Stanley-Boyd Community Indoor Pool: Stanley
2026-01-16 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | Stanley-Boyd Community Indoor Pool, 507 E 1st Ave, Stanley, WI, 54768
Join the WiFCC at the Stanley-Boyd Community Pool on Friday, January 16th. Our group has rented the pool from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Plan to arrive before 6:30 pm to make full use of the pool. The pool offers a giant indoor water obstacle course, a zero-entry wading pool with jets, and a mushroom waterfall.
This event is intended for adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families in the state of Wisconsin. To learn more about the Stanley-Boyd Community Pool, check out their website here: https://www.stanleyboyd.k12.wi.us/pool-fitness-center/index.cfm
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.

Children's Museum of Fond du Lac WiFCC Winterizer: Fond du Lac
2026-01-14 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac, 75 W Scott St, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935
Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families, let’s beat the winter cold with our WiFCC Winterizer. We welcome you to join us at the Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac, which provides 15,000 sq. feet of indoor space full of fun and learning through play! Visit the Little Corner Market, explore the automotive tech center, blast off in the space exhibit, and so much more. This is a private event for WiFCC families and allows you access to all of the museum’s exhibits. Come hungry, as we will be providing food catered by Jimmy John’s.
One ticket is good for one person. 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 family dynamics, but we 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.
If you have any questions or accommodation needs, please contact Jamie Socolick 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.

Parent/Caregiver Coffee Meet up at The Steaming Cup: Waukesha
2026-01-06 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | The Steaming Cup, 340 W Main St, Waukesha, WI, 53186
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 Steaming Cup in Waukesha, WI. Each registrant will receive a food or drink purchase of up to $15.
You can view their menu here: https://thesteamingcup.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.

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.

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.

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.

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
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.
