Wisconsin Family Connections Center

Celebrating All Abilities
2025-10-04 10:00 - 14:00 UTC | Wick Field, 4929 W. Vliet St., Milwaukee, WI, 53208
What is Celebrating All Abilities?
Celebrating All Abilities is a special education family community for Milwaukee Public Schools families. Workshops, expert presentations, and networking at this forum will help families navigate disability services and celebrate their children’s strengths.

Why Attend?

Discover: New strategies, resources, and support options for your child’s education.
Connect: With other families who understand your journey and build a supportive network.
Advocate: To support your child’s needs.

Activities

Family games
Basketball
Community resources and partners on hand
Caregiver workshops

Lunch and childcare provided. Food trucks available. Questions? Call (414) 475-8199.

WiFCC & Jockey Being Family Caregiver Getaway: Green Bay
2025-10-04 10:00 - 14:00 | Oneida Casino Hotel, 2040 Airport Drive, Green Bay, WI, 54313
Parents and caregivers (adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship/relative, and reunified caregivers who reside in Wisconsin) – you deserve a day for YOU! We invite you to take a night away and join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, with special sponsorship from Jockey Being Family, to focus on caring for yourself. Attend as an individual or as a couple, both are welcome! Our speaker, Allison Kunkel, will guide us through the day with a presentation entitled “Embracing Grace: A Day for You.” This day is meant to incorporate connection, learning, and rest to help you recharge. You will notice the day begins a bit late and ends a bit early, because we wanted to build intentional time for slowness into this opportunity (as well as give anyone traveling some extra morning time). Registration for this getaway is open to any adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship/relative, and reunified caregivers who reside in Wisconsin. A certificate of attendance (3 hours) will be available upon request for ongoing education documentation, if needed.
INCLUDED in this free getaway for you:

A one-night partial hotel reimbursement of up to $125**
Saturday programming & lunch
Child care reimbursement(up to $50/one child or $100/family)

AGENDA FOR THE DAY
9:30-10 Check-in (fruit, pastries, and coffee available)
10-11:30 Morning Session
11:30-12:30 Lunch (provided) & time to connect with other attendees
12:30-2 Afternoon Session

Please note:

This is an adults-only event, and no childcare will be available on-site. Registrants must attend the Saturday programming in order to take advantage of the child care reimbursement and one-night hotel reimbursement.
This presentation was offered in Rhinelander at the Spring Caregiver Getaway. If you already attended one of the Spring 2025 WiFCC Caregiver Getaways and received the hotel/childcare reimbursement, you will not be eligible to receive the hotel/childcare reimbursements again for this event. Our hope is for as many families as possible to benefit from these offerings. Space for this event is limited.

*Hotel reimbursement details: A one-night hotel reimbursement of up to $125 is available for each attending household who did not already receive a hotel reimbursement for a Spring 2025 WiFCC Caregiver Getaway, with block rooms available on Friday or Saturday evening through the event venue for rates starting at $139++. A link to this group rate will be provided in your registration confirmation email. To receive the group rate all rooms MUST be booked by Friday, September 12, 2025. After this date, the group room block is released to the general public and you will no longer have access to the special group rate. After September 12th, registrants may no longer be able to secure that rate, but will still be eligible for the one-night, up to $125 hotel reimbursement for this weekend (at either the event hotel or another nearby). Registrants are responsible for booking & paying for hotel rooms individually – these reservations will NOT be booked or paid for by the WiFCC.If you have questions, please reach out to 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.

Child Welfare Professional Peer Group: Preparation of Families Moving Toward Adoption Finalization or Guardianship
2025-10-02 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-18 14:00 - 15:00 | Zoom
This series will highlight the power of preparing families before they legally adopt or commit to guardianship. A range of programs that educate and support families at various stages during this critical phase will be shared, enabling prospective sites to determine what they can draw from to tailor to their own systems. Note: A session will not be held on September 25th.

Date & Time

Sep 11, 2025 02:00 PM
Sep 18, 2025 02:00 PM
Sep 25, 2025 02:00 PM
Oct 2, 2025 02:00 PM

Virtual Training: Working with Traumatized Children
2025-10-02 12:00 - 14:00 | Zoom
Child Welfare League of America is pleased to announce another round of their 3-part, virtual training series that features the publication Working with Traumatized Children – A Handbook for Healing. Now in its third edition, Working with Traumatized Children has been updated to include new strategies and approaches for caregivers and others responsible for meeting the needs of children who are vulnerable. Registration fees will include a PDF copy of Working with Traumatized Children, Companion Workbook.
Participants will gain a strengthened capacity to:
1. Define what trauma is and differentiate it from stress
2. Provide examples of trauma symptoms in children and adults
3. Describe how trauma can impact children’s brains
4. Advocate for the provision of safe environments when working with children and adults who have been affected by trauma
5. Provide examples of how systems can be traumatizing or retraumatize people
6. Explain the importance of understanding the vagus nerve when working with families and children who have been affected by trauma
7. Express why self-reflective practices and supervision are important when working with this population
Trainer: Paulette Mader, MSN – Senior Training and Consultation Specialist, Rutgers University, “Nurtured Heart Approach” and “ACE and the Neurobiology of Trauma”, “Wrap Around” and “CFT”

Thursdays, October 2, 9 & 16, 2025

12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central Standard Time

Teen & Parent/Caregiver Splatter Room Glow Session-LK Art Bucket: Rice Lake
2025-09-30 16:30 - 17:30 | LK Art Bucket, 2900 South Main Street, Rice Lake, WI, 54868
Caregivers and teens, join WiFCC at LK Art Bucket on Tuesday, September 30th. Our group will be doing a glow session in the splatter room between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Your registration includes an 8X10 canvas, protective poncho or coveralls, goggles, and shoe covers. To learn more about LK Art Bucket and the glow session splatter room, check out their website here: https://www.lkartbucket.com/.
Please note: sensitive individuals may not be able to stay in the room for the entire 55 minutes, as it can be a bit overwhelming with the darkness and glowing lights.
Please register for one ticket per person. This workshop is designed for caregivers and teens ages 12+, so please note that at least one of your tickets should be for the accompanying adult. 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.

EAA Museum Tour: Oshkosh
2025-09-28 13:00 - 14:30 | EAA Aviation Museum, 3000 Poberezny Rd, Oshkosh, WI, 54902
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative/kinship, and reunified families ~
Please join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for an afternoon at the EAA Museum. Located in Oshkosh, the EAA Aviation Museum is one of the world’s finest aviation attractions and a year-round destination for the entire family. Come and explore their world-class displays and galleries. Check out a collection of more than 200 historic airplanes along with world-class galleries and displays, including the Eagle Hangar that pays tribute to World War II aviation and the heroes who served. Kids can enjoy a highly interactive area, The KidVenture Gallery, that features 16 hands-on exhibits, a scenic overlook from the Tower of Flight, as well as climb into the cockpit of a half-scale model of an F-22. We will have a guided tour starting at 1:15 p.m., lasting approximately one hour. Please arrive at 1:00pm so the tour can begin promptly at 1:15pm.
For more information on the EAA, please visit: www.eaa.org
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.

Family Fun Day at Burch Barn: Spooner
2025-09-27 10:00 - 11:00 | The Burch Barn, N5921 Co Hwy K, Spooner, WI, 54801
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 a.m. -5:00 p.m. 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 is 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 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.
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.

BirthmomsConnect Virtual Support Group
2025-09-25 20:00 - 21:00 | 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).

Writing Circle for Adult Adoptees: Appleton
2025-09-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Meade Street Bistro, 2729 N Meade St, Appleton, WI, 54911
Join us for a writing circle for adult adoptees at Meade Street Bistro (2729 N. Meade Street, Appleton). Light appetizers and non-alcoholic drinks will also be provided (up to $15/person). Whether you’re just beginning to explore your adoption story or have been reflecting on it for years, this space offers a gentle, judgment-free environment to express, process, and connect through writing. Our writing circle will use guided writing prompts to explore themes such as identity, belonging, loss, resilience, and more—all through the unique lens of the adoptee experience and is facilitated by an adult adoptee to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere. You do not need to be a professional writer to participate. Each participant will also receive a copy of Voices Unheard: A Reflective Journal for Adult Adoptees by Lisa Coppola, LMHC—a resource designed to deepen your self-reflection as well as your connection with fellow adult adoptees. Registration is required for this event – Please reach out to 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.

CARE Webinar Series: ACEs & Behavioral Challenges
2025-09-25 17:00 - 18:00 | 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.

Webinar: The Role of Sensory Processing in Self-Regulation
2025-09-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Self-regulation is influenced by a combination of individual and external factors including biology, skills, motivation, caregiver support, and environmental context. Sensory processing is only a piece of this complex process. These factors all interact with one another to support self-regulation and create opportunities for intervention. This workshop will provide parents and caregivers with information and resources about evidence-based strategies and interventions to support their child’s ability to regulate emotions and behaviors.
Presenters: Carlynn Higbie is an Education Consultant with the Special Education Team at the WI Department of Public Instruction as well as an occupational therapist who has been practicing for over 40 years in both school-based and outpatient pediatric settings. She has supported students with educational disabilities both as a practitioner and a trainer/coach/educator for other educators. Carlynn’s experience in conducting training and consulting with school districts has helped many school-based therapists and educators improve evidence-based practices such as service provision in the least restrictive environment, and the use of a collective process for IEP development and participation-based IEP goals.
Eva Kubinski, MS, School Administration Consultant, WI DPI Eva has worked as an educator and trainer for the past 30 years. She provides training and support in the areas of specially designed physical education; assessment and comprehensive evaluations; working with medical professionals; pre-service educator preparation program reviews, cross-categorical licensing, and the unique needs of American Indian students with IEPs. Eva is the program consultant for the areas of: Orthopedic Impairment (OI), Other Health Impairment (OHI), and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

Webinar--Get Started: Navigating Systems of Support
2025-09-24 11:30 - 12:30 | Zoom
This session guides you through the landscape of programs when your child has a disability or special health care needs. Learn about Medicaid, Katie Beckett, Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS), private insurance, taking care of yourself, and more.
(Formerly known as Did You Know? Now You Know!)
After signing up, you will receive a confirmation email with a Zoom link.

Live Webinar: Understanding Barriers to Kin-Finding
2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual
Kin-finding is a vital first step to ensure children in foster care have the opportunity to grow up in permanent, loving families who understand their background and identity. Yet across the country, many child welfare professionals face systemic barriers that limit their ability to identify, locate and engage relatives and kin.
During this webinar, Generations United will explore these barriers and offer concrete strategies for overcoming them. Presenters will share promising practices, tools and lessons learned from the Grandfamilies & Kinship Support Network: A National Technical Assistance Center to support child welfare professionals and advocates in strengthening kin-finding efforts and building systems that truly prioritize family connections.
Attendees will:

Discover systems built to prioritize and sustain family connections for children in foster care.
Explore actionable strategies to overcome common barriers to kin-finding within child welfare.
Access tools and best practices to enhance kin-engagement efforts with your team.

Understanding Child Maltreatment: Contributing Factors and Impact on Children
2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:30 | Zoom
When a child experiences abuse or neglect, it has significant and lasting effects on their physical, emotional, and psychological development. To offer effective support, professionals and caregivers must understand what child maltreatment is, how it occurs, and the impact it leaves behind. This webinar will explore the various factors that contribute to child maltreatment, including environmental, familial, and societal influences. Participants will also learn to recognize signs of maltreatment and examine the short- and long-term effects of child maltreatment.
This FREE live webinar will provide 1.5 CE credits for social workers. For social workers licensed in the state of New York, it will provide 1.5 contact hours.
Registration is open until the webinar begins. To participate in this webinar, attendees must have the Zoom application downloaded to their device. For more information on this webinar and continuing education credits, please follow the links below.

CE credits: https://adoption.talentlms.com/plus/catalog/courses/312
NY contact hours: https://adoption.talentlms.com/plus/catalog/courses/313

By signing up for this NCFA webinar, you acknowledge and agree that your registration data (name, title, organization, state, and email address) may be shared with the webinar sponsor. Your information will otherwise be handled in accordance with the National Council for Adoption’s privacy policy (https://adoptioncouncil.org/privacy-policy/).

National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) Virtual Book Club with Angeline Boulley
2025-09-23 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
Angeline Boulley, author of Firekeeper’s Daughter and Warrior Girl Unearthed, is joining the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) for a special book club webinar to discuss her new book, Sisters in the Wind, on September 23, 2025.
In her latest novel, Boulley tells the story of Lucy, a teenager who has spent five years in the foster system and is now learning of her Ojibwe heritage. As with her other books, Boulley uses her stories to shed light on real issues in Indian Country, like the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), through the lens of the Sugar Island community.
Join the NICWA team on September 23rd as we discuss ICWA and its important role in Sisters in the Wind.

Hybrid Support Group: Taylor/Clark County Residents
2025-09-22 17:30 - 19:00 | River of Hope Church, 1129 West Broadway Avenue, Medford, WI, 54451
Adoptive, foster, relative, guardianship, and reunified caregivers residing in Clark or Taylor County are welcome to attend our hybrid in-person/virtual support group. The September-November dates will be in person, and this listing is where you can register for any of those three dates. The December-March dates will be virtual (registration will be under a separate Eventbrite listing), and we will plan to go back to in-person in the spring.
This group is meant for caregivers to find connection and support with others who reside in the same area. The group will be facilitated by a GIFTS Case Manager/Regional Support Specialist, but is designed for attendees to participate and connect.
The in-person groups will go from 5:30-7:00 pm. The first half hour is for people to arrive and eat before the group discussion starts.
Dinner and water/soda will be provided during each in-person group. Attendees can feel free to bring their own snacks and drinks if that’s preferred! As this is an adults-only support group, a $25 childcare reimbursement, one per family, is available for those who need to secure childcare back at home in order to attend the in-person support group dates.
Please reach out to Chelsey at ccoulthurst@cclse.org with any questions!

Truancy
2025-09-22 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual
Learn effective strategies to address and prevent truancy, helping your child stay engaged and succeed in school
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 a Level 16 and a Tier 3 Trainer through The Registry as well as a Technical Assistance Professional.

Workshop: Nurturing a Positive Racial Identity in Multiracial Children (9/20)
2025-09-20 11:00 - 13:00 | Virtual
Why is a positive racial identity important for multiracial children? How do they see themselves, how do others see them, and why might that matter in racial identity development? What can and should caregivers do to foster a healthy racial identity for mixed kids?
Join Embrace Race for a 2-hour workshop to explore these questions. Participants will deepen their understanding of multiracial children’s experiences and identity development based on social science research, reflect and share about their own racial journeys and the multiracial children they care for, and practice relevant skills. This workshop is for any caregiver who plays a meaningful role with a multiracial child or children, either at home, in the classroom, or in other spaces. Parents, guardians, educators, and all caregivers welcome!
Meet the workshop facilitators

Melissa Giraud is the co-founder and co-director of EmbraceRace and identifies as multiracial (Black/White), daughter of immigrants from Dominica and Quebec. Melissa has spent a lifetime trying to center the voices, experiences, and concerns of children and families, with a particular interest in immigrant kids of color and first-generation children.
Dr. Nicol Russell has worked as an early childhood classroom teacher, school administrator, childcare director, and at state-levels in the Department of Education and the Department of Special Education. She is passionate about being a voice for Indigenous, Black, and other children of color who are often excluded, neglected, or otherwise overlooked. Nicol identifies as multiracial (Native Hawaiian and Black).

WiFCC Autumn Morning Fun at Willow Springs: Wausau
2025-09-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Willow Springs Gardens, 5480 Hillcrest Dr., Wausau, WI, 54401
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative/kinship, and reunified families, please join us for a morning of family fun at Willow Springs Garden! Families will have a chance to do corn mazes (one for children and one for adults), take a hayride, eat fun snacks from the concessions stand, and have time to connect with other families! Children will also be able to do a barrel train ride!
Advance registration is required. On the day of the event, families will park across from the town hall and meet the Support Specialist underneath the shelter area.
Space is limited, so please register your family as soon as possible. If you have questions about this event, please contact Chelsey at ccoulthurst@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.

Caregiver Coffee Meet Up: Madison
2025-09-20 10:00 - 11:00 | 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. This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care.
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.

Free 6-Week Class: NAMI Basics
2025-09-20 09:00 - 11:30 | Nature Hill Intermediate School Library, 850 Lake Dr, Oconomowoc, WI, 53066
Do you care for a child experiencing mental health, emotional, or behavioral difficulties?
NAMI Basics is a 6-session education program for parents, caregivers, and other family members who provide care for youth (ages 18 and younger) who are experiencing mental health symptoms. This program is free to participants, 99% of whom say they would recommend the program to others.
The course is taught by a trained team with lived experience raising a child with a mental health condition. They know what you’re going through because they’ve been there, too.
Anger, outbursts, school or friend avoidance, frequent stomach aches, withdrawing from activities, or shutting down may be warning signs that your child is struggling.
By participating in NAMI Basics, you’ll realize that you are not alone. You’ll find support and shared understanding—compassion, reinforcement, and empathy from people who truly get your situation. And don’t forget: Your experiences may also help others in the course. Together, you will all learn that recovery is a journey, and there is hope.
NAMI Basics Covers:

The impact mental health conditions can have on your entire family
Different types of mental health care professionals, available treatment options and therapies
An overview of the public mental health care, school and juvenile justice systems and resources to help you navigate these systems
How to advocate for your child’s rights at school and in health care settings
How to prepare for and respond to crisis situations (self-harm, suicide attempts, etc.)
The importance of taking care of yourself
Much, much more

Saturdays Sep 20-Oct 25
9-11:30 AM
Nature Hill Intermediate School Library, Oconomowoc
*childcare is available during the class
familyprograms@namisoutheastwi.org

Different is Awesome! Family Night in the Dells spon by Jockey Being Family
2025-09-19 17:30 - 20:30 | Glacier Canyon Lodge, 45 Hillman Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
The Wisconsin Family Connections Center, along with Jockey Being Family and the Journeys Program, invites your family to join us in Wisconsin Dells for a night to celebrate the differences that make each of us AWESOME! We will enjoy a night full of food, crafts, games, and inspiration.
Our night will begin with check-in starting at 5:30 pm, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm. Crafts and games will be available throughout dinner, with a special presentation to follow at 7:00 p.m., featuring Wisconsin children’s book author Ryan Haack from LivingOneHanded.com. Fun for the entire family! Each family will also receive an autographed copy of Ryan’s book, “Different is Awesome!”.
An optional $125 partial hotel reimbursement is available for families who attend the event and did NOT also receive a hotel reimbursement for the Spring 2025 event. WiFCC will reimburse $125 of your hotel charge (this option must be selected on your event registration). WiFCC block room rates are available at the Glacier Canyon Lodge ($119 + $30 Resort fee + tax for a room of 4 people with a $40/per person charge for any additional people – up to 6 in a room). Details for the room block will be provided in your confirmation email. These reservations must be made no later than Wednesday, August 20th, as our rate will be released at that time. You may also choose to stay at an alternate nearby hotel and still request the partial reimbursement. Room reservations and all associated costs are the responsibility of each family and will NOT be made by WiFCC, rather, families who indicate they would like to receive the $125 reimbursement on their registration form will receive a form upon check-in at the event and will be mailed the $125 within 3 weeks after the event, following their return of the form and hotel receipt. There is a limit of ONE hotel room reimbursement per household.
This event is for foster, adoptive, guardianship, reunified, and relative caregiver families residing in the state of Wisconsin.
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 questions about this event, contact Breanna at bcalko@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.

ABOUT THE PRESENTER
Ryan Haack believes that being different is awesome. As a speaker and an author, he has shared his message of acceptance and inclusion with children and adults of all ages. Through storytelling and humor, Ryan shares his journey of growing up with a physical difference, the importance of building community, and the truth that our differences – those things that make us unique – are the very things that make us awesome!

Workshop: Nurturing a Positive Racial Identity in Multiracial Children (9/18)
2025-09-18 18:00 - 20:00 | Virtual

Screen Time for School-Agers
2025-09-18 17:30 - 19:00 | Virtual
Help kids learn to use devices responsibly and help develop healthy screentime habits
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 a Level 16 and a Tier 3 Trainer through The Registry as well as a Technical Assistance Professional.

September Support Group: Back to School (Evening)
2025-09-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual
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, and professionals. She received her BA in Elementary Education from UW-Platteville and her MS in Administrative Leadership from UW-Milwaukee. She is a Level 16 and a Tier 3 Trainer through The Registry as well as a Technical Assistance Professional.

Live Webinar: Fatherhood Is Sacred®, Motherhood Is Sacred®
2025-09-17 12:00 - 13:30 | Wisconsin Family Connections Center Classroom
This webinar outlines the approach to a highly successful parenting curriculum developed by a Native American father for Native American fathers and mothers. It is the model overview of training fathers and mothers to be leaders in their own homes. The workshop identifies the five core principles of the curriculum offered to facilitators who work with Native American parents on and off reservations: the Creator, Choice, Teachable, Wisdom, and Service. Parents learn the importance of loving and caring for their families, assisting with problem-solving, and teaching the true principles of fatherhood and motherhood.
Presenter: Albert M. Pooley is the Founder and President of the Native American Fatherhood & Families Association (NAFFA), based in Mesa, Arizona. A proud member of both the Hopi and Navajo cultures, he has dedicated his career to strengthening Native American families and communities through education, advocacy, and cultural preservation. Mr. Pooley holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) and Master of Public Administration (MPA) and has extensive experience as a marriage and family counselor.
Wednesday, September 17, 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

Webinar: Thinking About Supported Decision Making (September 16, 2025)
2025-09-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Zoom
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 GiGi’s Playhouse Madison.
After you sign up, you will get an email with a link and information about joining the session.

WiFCC Arcade and Pizza Night: Wausau on Water
2025-09-16 17:00 - 19:00 | Wausau on Water, 1300 N River Dr, Wausau, WI, 54403
The Wisconsin Family Connections Center invites your family to attend an arcade and pizza night at Wausau on Water! Our group will have a private room that includes pizza, soft drinks, a pre-loaded arcade card for each attendee, and the option to do laser tag at 6:40 pm. Children must be 42 inches tall to play laser tag!
You can start arriving at 4:45 pm. Pizzas will be out shortly after, with a laser tag session starting at 6:40 pm. We will plan to wrap up the event around 7:00 pm.
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.
Please reach out to Chelsey at ccoulthurst@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.

Post-Permanency Services for Tribal Nations
2025-09-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
This one-hour webinar will provide a general overview of the universal and on-site assistance available to Tribal Nations through this project. Post-permanency services are a type of support for families and children who have achieved permanency through guardianship, customary adoption, or adoption.
