Wisconsin Family Connections Center

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

Screen Time for School-Agers
2025-09-18 17:30 - 19:00 UTC | 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.

Child Welfare Professional Peer Group: Preparation of Families Moving Toward Adoption Finalization or Guardianship
2025-09-18 14:00 - 15:00, 2025-09-11 14:00 - 15:00 UTC | 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

September Support Group: Back to School (Evening)
2025-09-17 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | 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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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 UTC | 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.

Fostering School Success: How Caregivers and Social Workers Can Support the Educational Needs of Children
2025-09-15 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Virtual
Among child welfare service and program goals is the achievement of children and youth’s educational progress to match their potential and needs. Educational success of children and youth in the child welfare system depends, in part, on the collective efforts and collaboration of caregivers (foster, adoptive, and kinship), social workers, and agency management to address challenges and strategies for success.
CWLA (Child Welfare League of America) is pleased to invite you to join us for this engaging skill-building opportunity that will share how to improve school experiences and long-term outcomes for children who have experienced trauma. Participants in this training will:

Develop an understanding of common barriers to educational access and engagement for youth who have experienced trauma.
Learn practical strategies for cultivating resilience at home that will lead to improved school performance.
Advance their knowledge of the education system and the support available to children with special needs and circumstances.
Expand their collaboration and advocacy toolkits to ensure children and youth have access to high-quality schooling.

This training is appropriate for caregivers (foster, adoptive, and kinship) and social workers who have an interest and responsibility to better support children and youth in school, as well as their educational achievement.
Using case examples, discussion, skill-building exercises, and opportunities for Q&A, this training draws on the latest research in trauma and learning. The following topics will be covered during the (4) four two-hour individual training sessions:

Session 1: Common School Challenges for Learners Who Have Experienced Trauma and Best Practice in Trauma-Informed Education
Session 2: Cultivating the Skills Children Need to be Successful in School
Session 3: Understanding the Educational Process
Session 4: Advocating for Youth in Schools

Training Dates and Time: Each of the four (4) training sessions will be held for two (2) hours, 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm Central Time on Monday, September 15, 2025; Wednesday, September 17, 2025; Monday, September 22, 2025; and Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Trainer: Gwen Bass, PhD
Dr. Bass focuses on engaging teachers, families, and the community of support professionals around children to improve school experiences and long-term outcomes. She uses her research and expertise to enhance opportunities for students who are marginalized and improve educational access and outcomes for children with learning differences. Dedicated to training teachers, social workers, and parents so they can collaborate to support children in schools, she is particularly interested in serving children who are the most vulnerable, including youth with disabilities and youth in foster care. As an education consultant, she frequently presents on inclusive classroom practices, behavior management, child development, child welfare systems, parent education, measurement and evaluation of social-emotional skills in schools, and trauma-sensitive teaching. Dr. Bass is the former Director of the Teacher Leadership Division, Professional and Graduate Education at Mount Holyoke College. She spent nearly 10 years in pre-K-12 schools as an early childhood educator, special education teacher, and school counselor. She is the author of the recently released publication titled, Immaculate Misconception: A Story of Biology and Belonging.

Training Registration Fee for CWLA Organizational Members $300; for Individual Members $325; for Non-Members $350
Training CEUs for CWLA Members $25; for Non-Members $35
Eight (8) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for the four training sessions, provided through NASW – Washington State Chapter. Participants must submit session evaluations and quizzes to receive CEUs.
10% Discount Available for Group of 5 or More Training Registrations*
*Registrations must be completed at the same time as a group for the “10% for 5 or More” discount to apply and is only applicable for new training registrations. Contact memberservices@cwla.org for assistance with a group registration.
Training Location: The training will be virtual using the Zoom platform. Training details and Zoom link will be emailed to registrants a few days prior to the training. Please be sure to check your Junk/ Spam email.
For assistance, contact memberservices@cwla.org.

Camp Edwards 1/2 Day Family Retreat with the Wisconsin Family Connections Center: East Troy
2025-09-14 14:00 - 17:00 UTC | Camp Edwards YMCA Camp, N8901 Army Lake Rd, East Troy, WI, 53120
Come join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center at our 1/2 Day Family Retreat at Camp Edwards YMCA Camp in East Troy, Wisconsin. All adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative/kinship, reunified, and birth/first families are invited to attend. WiFCC families will enjoy a private 1/2-day family retreat, which includes a climbing wall, canoeing, archery, two 90-foot tube slides, low ropes courses, and Gaga ball. Light snacks and water are also included in your admission. One ticket is good for one household member with a maximum of 8 tickets per family.
Please visit the Camp Edwards page at: https://www.gcfymca.org/locations/camp-edwards if you have additional questions. 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.

Family Fun Day at Ferguson's Orchard: Eau Claire
2025-09-13 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Ferguson’s Orchards, 6470 Balsam Road, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families – join the WiFCC at Ferguson’s Orchard on Saturday, September 13th, 2025, starting at 10:00 am. Ferguson’s offers a corn pit, friendly farm animals, a corn maze, a straw bale pyramid, and much more!
Please plan to arrive between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to check in with WiFCC staff and gain entrance into the orchard. After checking in between 10:00 am and 11:00am, feel free to stay a few hours or the whole day! The orchard is open until 6:00 pm. The tickets will be season passes and will be able to be used for the remainder of their season.
The cost of apples, pumpkins, store products, and attractions is NOT covered by basic admission. Please note: we must have the names of each attendee so they can secure their season pass to the orchard. Ages 2 and under are free and do not need to be included in your list of attendees for the season pass.
There is a maximum of 5 tickets per household. Any additional tickets needed can be purchased online prior to the event or at the orchard on the day of the event. To purchase tickets and to learn more about the orchard, visit their website: https://fergusonsorchard.com/eau-claire-home/.
Due to 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 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.

WiFCC Second Chance Milwaukee Brewers Game Event: Milwaukee
2025-09-12 19:00 - 22:00 UTC | American Family Field, 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI, 53214
For those families that missed out the first time, come join the Wisconsin Family Connection Center for a “Second Chance” Milwaukee Brewers Event. Come out to the ballpark to watch the Milwaukee Brewers take on the St. Louis Cardinals 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 base side, second level. Your tickets also include one general parking pass per household. One ticket is good for one person with a maximum of 6 tickets per household. If additional tickets or special accommodations are needed, please contact the Support Specialists at jsocolick@cclse.org. Additional tickets will also be available for purchase separately.
Please note, if you attended the WiFCC Brewer Event in May 2025, please do not register for this event, as this is a second chance offering for families who were unable to attend the previous game. Your ticket and parking pass distribution will be communicated to you in the last week of August 2025. For information on parking, directions, or alternative transportation to American Family Field, visit: https://www.mlb.com/brewers/ballpark/transportationPlease review the ballpark’s bag and carry-in policies at https://www.mlb.com/brewers/ballpark/security
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 Support Coffee Meet-Up: Spooner
2025-09-12 09:00 - 10:30 UTC | Alley Cats Coffee, 750 West Beaverbrook Avenue, Spooner, WI, 54801
Foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers, join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center to connect, learn, and share!
Join us for this opportunity to meet with other caregivers and make connections! We will meet at Alley Cats Coffee in Spooner, WI, on Friday, September 12th, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Each registrant will receive a food or drink purchase of up to $10. You can view the menu here: https://alleycatscoffee.com/
Registration is required for this event. Contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org with any questions.
Please note: This is an adult-only event, and childcare will not be available on-site. Please make arrangements accordingly. A $25 childcare reimbursement is available, one per family, for individuals who must secure childcare in order to attend, provided another funding source does not already cover it.
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.

Positive Behavior Strategies Virtual Training
2025-09-11 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Virtual
The Positive Behavior Strategies Training Session will be led by Dr. Brooke Winchell, an Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, who specializes in Special Education and Early Childhood Education. Dr. Winchell will share insights and strategies on various topics related to positive behavior management for children. Participants will gain knowledge on preventing challenging behaviors and implementing effective instructions to enhance listening skills.
Contact Jenna at (262)-374-2242 or jenna@treehouseforkids.net regarding questions or concerns

Free 8-week Class: NAMI Family to Family
2025-09-11 18:00 - 20:30 UTC | Greendale Hole Tower, 5699 Parking Street, Greendale, WI, 53129
NAMI Family-to-Family is a free, 8-session educational program for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. It is a designated evidenced-based program. This means that research shows that the program significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition.

NAMI Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there, and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises.

What You’ll Gain

NAMI Family-to-Family not only provides information and strategies for taking care of the person you love, but you’ll also find out that you’re not alone. Recovery is a journey, and there is hope.
The group setting of NAMI Family-to-Family provides mutual support and shared positive impact—experience compassion and reinforcement from people who understand your situation. Sharing your own experience may help others in your class. In the program, you’ll learn about:

How to solve problems and communicate effectively
Taking care of yourself and managing your stress
Supporting your loved one with compassion
Finding and using local supports and services
Up-to-date information on mental health conditions and how they affect the brain
How to handle a crisis
Current treatments and therapies
The impact of mental health conditions on the entire family

September 11-October 30, 2025
Thursdays, 6:00-8:30pm
Greendale Hose Tower
5699 Parking Street
Greendale, WI 53129
familyprograms@namisoutheastwi.org

September Support Group: Back to School (Afternoon)
2025-09-10 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Virtual

Webinar: What is Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System and How to Use It
2025-09-08 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Zoom
The Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System (WSEMS) provides free dispute resolution services for parents of children with disabilities and schools in Wisconsin. This workshop will cover the various services provided by WSEMS and how to access these services.
This is an overview training with time for questions! Presenters: Courtney Salzer and Heidi Siebert

Crystal Cave Private Tour: Spring Valley
2025-09-03 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | Crystal Cave, W965 WI-29, Spring Valley, WI, 54767
Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families and individuals – join the WiFCC for a private tour of Crystal Cave in Spring Valley! See stalactites, stalagmites, and other cave formations. Our private tour will begin at 3 pm and end around 4 pm. Registrants should plan on arriving at 2:45 pm to check in and prepare for the tour. Max of 4 tickets per family. This event is open to foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship/relative caregivers. and reunified families.
Prior to registering, please read the following:
This tour consists of 7 flights of stairs and ramps. It is an hour-long standing/walking tour. As such, the tour is not suitable for wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers. The tour is moderately strenuous; there are no elevators and limited seating options in the cave. There are some areas where you will need to be able to duck under lower-hanging rocks. There is low lighting throughout the tour. The environment in the cave is cool (50°F) and humid. To learn more about Crystal Cave, check out their website at https://www.acoolcave.org/
If you have any questions regarding 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.

Foster Parent and Adoptive Parent Support Group - Fond du Lac
2025-09-02 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

Fall Fun at Polly's Pumpkin Patch: Chilton
2025-08-29 11:00 - 18:00 UTC | Polly’s Pumpkin Patch, N4367 WI-57, Chilton, WI, 53014
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families — bring the family out for some fall fun! Come and enjoy the many attractions Polly’s Pumpkin Patch offers.
We ask that families arrive at 11:00 am to check in with WiFCC staff at the entrance to the gift shop. The barn is open from 9:00 am-6:00 pm, and your family is welcome to stay for a few hours or for the whole day.
To learn more about Polly’s Pumpkin Patch, check out their website here: https://www.pollyspumpkinpatch.com/. This event will include a wagon ride with a choice of pumpkin from the field, a corn maze, and an apple cider donut. The cost of concessions and/or store products is not covered by admission.
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. When registering, please register for EACH ATTENDEE AND AGE.
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.

BirthmomsConnect Virtual Support Group
2025-08-28 20:00 - 21:00 UTC | Zoom
Our BirthmomsConnect support calls are held via Zoom and available to anyone who has given birth to a child, anywhere, no matter their affiliation with On Your Feet Foundation or when they placed. The only requirements to participate are as follows:

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

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

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

Foster Care in Our Community: August 28, 2025
2025-08-28 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
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: https://forms.gle/4QCBbws11JyTkxdU7
Or visit the Facebook event page here: https://www.facebook.com/events/1769774957217794
Questions? Call 262-222-2000 or email tfc@norriscenter.org

CARE Webinar Series: Compassion & Boundaries
2025-08-28 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.

Webinar: Thinking About Supported Decision Making (August 27, 2025)
2025-08-27 11:30 - 12:30 UTC | 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.
After you sign up you will get an email with a link and information about joining the session.

Family Fun Bowling Sponsored by Jockey Being Family: Wisconsin Dells
2025-08-24 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | Knuckleheads Bowling, 150 N Gasser Rd, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
Enjoy a fun afternoon bowling at Knuckleheads in Wisconsin Dells, sponsored by Jockey Being Family and Wisconsin Family Connections Center! Enjoy a free game of bowling and pizza! This event is open to foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship/relative caregiver, and reunified families! All ages and experience levels are welcome to join us! 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. There is a limited number of tickets available, so please register soon. Registration is required for all attendees. Please note that this may not be a sensory-friendly event due to loud music and lights in the building. Contact Breanna at bcalko@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 Chippewa Falls Public Pool: Chippewa Falls
2025-08-23 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | Chippewa Falls Public Pool, 1 Bridgewater Avenue, Chippewa Falls, WI, 54729
Join the WiFCC at the Chippewa Falls Public Pool on Saturday, August 23rd, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am. The pool will be exclusively rented for our group. The pool features a zero-depth wading area and a waterslide. To learn more about the pool and the guidelines & rules, check out the website here: https://chippewafallswi.myrec.com/info/facilities/area_info.aspx?FacilityID=14716&AreaID=14728.
This event is intended for adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families. 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.

August Support Group: Wellness (Evening)
2025-08-21 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | Virtual

Live Webinar: Building Strong Relationships With Felt Safety
2025-08-21 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Wisconsin Family Connections Center Classroom
You’ve created a consistent and loving space—now, how do you help a child truly feel safe in it?
Safe and secure relationships are essential for healthy families, but children who have experienced adversity may need more than just a safe environment—they need to feel that safety in their body and mind. In this webinar, we’ll explore the concept of felt safety and how playful, consistent connection can help children begin to trust and connect with their caregivers. You will walk away with practical strategies, a personalized plan for strengthening felt safety at home, and creative ideas to weave playful relationship-building into everyday routines.
Presenter: Shanna Sullivan (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™. She is a Training for Adoption Competency-Trainer and Consultant for the Center for Adoption Support and Education. Shanna has dedicated her career to helping kids and families impacted by traumatic separation and complex developmental trauma. In addition to her diverse perspective as a trauma therapist and advocate for adoption competency education, Shanna also brings lived and learned experience as an adoptive parent.
Thursday, August 21, 2025 | 6:00-7:30 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

School Success
2025-08-20 17:30 - 19:30 UTC | Virtual
Learn strategies for how to set the tone for a successful school year!
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.
