Wisconsin Family Connections Center

Virtual Group: Open Mic Teen Support Group
2026-06-09 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-12 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Youth ages 13-17 who are part of an adoptive or guardianship family in Wisconsin

About this event
Join other teens of adoption or guardianship families for a live, video group session to socially connect and discuss topics related to challenges that arise in these family dynamics. This support group will be facilitated by Chelsey and Christy, WIFCC Support Specialists. Join as often as you would like!
This online group will utilize Zoom to connect over video chat. Your child will need to have access to a smart phone with the free Zoom app, or a computer with a camera and microphone. Parents, you will receive the link your child will need to connect to the group. If you have any questions, please contact ctimm@cclse.org or ccoulthurst@cclse.org.
Who is this group for? for teens who are in foster, adoptive, kinship, and/or guardianship families.
The group’s goal is to provide a structured and safe place for your child to build trust, coping skills, and peer connections while reducing frustration, conflicts, and anxiety felt at home. The group provides your child an opportunity to meet with fellow children dealing with similar challenges with their families on a more personal level. Your child will participate in a variety of activities and discussion while focusing on this session’s theme. The overall goal is for your child to feel supported, that they have control over their attitude and success in life, and understand the complexities of family life.
Group criteria:
• Children between the ages of 13 and 17 are welcome to participate
• During group the child needs a private space free from distractions or other members of the family, but still under the supervision of a trusted adult.
• If you register your child, please be sure they understand prior to registration that this group requires a willingness to participate.
• What your child shares in group is confidential information, unless his or her safety is at risk. Group facilitators are mandatory reporters.
Additional virtual group acknowledgments:
• I understand there are potential risks to this technology, including interruptions, unauthorized access, and technical difficulties. WIFCC may discontinue the virtual group session if it is felt that the videoconferencing connections are not adequate for the situation.
• The group participants must be residing in the state of Wisconsin.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
Register

Taylor/Clark County Support Group
2026-06-08 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-11 17:30 - 19:00 | River of Hope Church, 1129 West Broadway Avenue, Medford, WI, 54451
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

A support group for parents/caregivers of children impacted by adoption or out-of-home care residing in Clark or Taylor County. The group will be facilitated by a GIFTS Case Manager/Regional Support Specialist, but is designed for attendees to participate and connect. This is a great chance to connect with other caregivers in your area to help build a supportive network and sense of community.
These in-person groups will run from 5:30-7:00 pm. The first half hour is for parents/caregivers to arrive and eat dinner together before the group discussion starts.
Dinner and water/soda will be provided during each 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! This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Families Like Mine: Relative Caregivers for Children-Southwestern WI
2026-06-06 10:00 - 14:00 | Henry Vilas Zoo, 702 South Randall Avenue, Madison, WI, 53175
Join us at the Families Like Mine Regional Event for Wisconsin Relative Caregivers of Children – let’s share, learn, and support each other!

This Families Like Mine is a free regional event for relative caregivers in Southwestern Wisconsin who are caring for children both through child welfare and informally. This drop-in event at the Henry Vilas Zoo will take place at the Education Pavilion from 10:00am-2:00pm. Please come when it is convenient for you.
This event will feature:

Regional and state-wide vendors that support relative and like-kin caregiving families
Provide opportunities to connect with experienced relatives and like-kin caregivers to build support and connection
An opportunity for relatives and like-kin caregivers to enjoy the zoo

Attendees will have opportunities to meet and connect with other relative caregivers from throughout the state, as well as collect resources for ongoing support.
Please note- This is a drop-in event. You do not need to stay the entire time. Bringing the children in your care is optional. Boxed lunches, vendors, and opportunity to connect with experienced relative and like-kin caregivers will all take place at the Education Pavilion.
REGISTER

Foster Parent and Adoptive Parent Support Group - Fond du Lac
2026-06-02 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-05 18:00 - 19:00 | 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

Eau Claire Express Baseball Family Night at Carson Park: Eau Claire
2026-06-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Carson Park Eau Claire Express, 702 Carson Park Dr., Eau Claire, WI, 54701
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale April 27, 2026 @6pm)

WiFCC is heading to the ballpark! Join us for an Eau Claire Express game at Carson Park on Monday, June 1st, 2026. The TDS Terrace has been reserved for our group. Each attendee will have access to unlimited ballpark fare and Pepsi products. This event is open to foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship/relative caregiver and reunified families.
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.
There is a 6 ticket max per household.
Registrants should plan to arrive between 6:00pm and 6:30pm to pick up their tickets. The game will begin at 6:35pm and will feature the Eau Claire Express vs the Thunder Bay Border Cats.
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 families, but 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 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.

Kickoff Summer - Afternoon at the Ball Park: Green Bay
2026-05-31 13:00 - 16:00 | Green Bay Rockers Baseball, 2231 Holmgren Way, Green Bay, WI, 54304
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale March 16, 2026 @6pm)

Kickoff summer with the Wisconsin Family Connections Center and Jockey Being Family with an afternoon of baseball! We will be watching the Green Bay Rockers take on the Wausau Woodchucks on Sunday, May 31st. This game starts at 1:05pm. Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, birth, and reunified families are welcome!
Each person in your family must be registered for an individual ticket. Each attendee will receive a seat ticket along with a voucher for a hot dog and soda/water along with a Rockers hat. All children 12 years and under will receive a wristband for the Kid Zone. Our group will all be seated together, which will allow families to connect and talk with others who have been impacted by adoption or out-of-home care.
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 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.
*You will pick-up tickets at Rockers Stadium Will Call day of event.
Spots are limited for this event. Contact Val at vzegers@cclse.org with 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.

Love Through Hair Care: Texture Haircare Workshop
2026-05-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Devine Beauty Salon, 2039 McCoy Rd., Sun Prairie, WI, 53590
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale April 3, 2026)

Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families — join us for a special class focusing on learning more about your child’s textured hair. This class is meant to show caregivers how to work with textured hair, specifically those with 3C to 4B texture.
This in-person instruction at Devine Beauty Salon in Sun Prairie will be hosted by Olena, owner of Devine Beauty, who is passionate about blending artistry and education into creating beautiful, elevated looks while celebrating individuality, culture, and confidence. This workshop will take place on Sunday, May 31st from 10am-12pm. It is a family hair affair (combo course) which will cover textured hair types, general textured hair care knowledge, use of products, as well as hands-on instruction for simple hairstyles. There will also be time for a Q&A!
A hair care grab bag will be included with your registration.
Each ticket is good for 1 adult and 1 child. This event is restricted to one child per family.
Your child must be able to sit for 2 hours consecutively. Feel free to bring snacks and entertainment for your child (ie: phone, tablet, snacks, etc.) We will also have snacks and fidgets available.
For more information about Devine Beauty Salon please visit: https://www.divinebeautystylist.com/
If you have any questions or accommodation needs, please contact Megan at mmiller@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.

Teen & Parent/Caregiver Night at Reboot Social: Eau Claire
2026-05-28 16:30 - 18:30 | The Reboot Social, 220 S Barstow Street, Eau Claire, WI, 54701
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale April 30, 2026 @6pm)

Caregivers and teens, join WiFCC at Reboot Social on Thursday, May 28th. Our group will have the banquet room reserved from 4:30pm-6:30pm. Pizza, pop and arcade tokens will be provided. To learn more about Reboot Social, check out their website here: https://therebootsocial.com/.
Please register for one ticket per person, with a maximum of 5 tickets per family. This event is designed for caregivers and teens ages 12+, so please note that at least one of your tickets should be for the accompanying adult.
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.

Family Day at the Milwaukee Public Museum with WiFCC & JBF: Milwaukee
2026-05-27 13:00 - 17:00 | The Milwaukee Public Museum, 880 W Wells St., Milwaukee, WI, 53233
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Join WiFCC and Jockey Bring Family for a fun afternoon with the Milwaukee Public Museum! We will have a guided tour from 1pm-2pm through “A Bug’s World” and then have the rest of the afternoon to explore the museum. More information about the guided portion of the event below:
A Bug’s World: It’s a bug’s world, and we’re just living in it! Take an up-close look at this often-tiny world of arthropods and how it interacts with ours. Meet some bugs and see some of MPM’s smallest live residents up close! Discover the arthropod friends that live among us! Gain appreciation for how important they are to our own lives. Learn about butterflys and what makes these magnificent insects soar above the rest! Last, some of our littlest neighbors can make the biggest impact on our environment. Learn how plants rely on insects and vice versa.
Please note: This event is limited to 6 tickets per family. Each family must check-in with their WiFCC specialist between 12:30-1pm.
For all questions and concerns please contact Christy at ctimm@cclse.org. For more information about the museum visit https://www.mpm.edu/
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.

Parent/Caregiver Coffee Meet-up at The Dock Coffee: Spooner
2026-05-23 08:30 - 10:00 | The Dock Coffee, 218 Walnut St., Spooner, WI, 54801
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

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 The Dock Coffee in Spooner, WI on Saturday, May 23rd from 8:30am to 10:00am. Each registrant will receive a food or drink purchase of up to $10. You can view the menu here: https://thedockcoffee.com/menu/
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 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.

Milwaukee Brewers Game WiFCC Family Fun Night: Milwaukee
2026-05-22 18:30 - 21:30 | American Family Field, 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI, 53214
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale March 9, 2026 @12pm)

Join WiFCC as we indulge in America’s favorite pastime! Come out to the ballpark to watch the Milwaukee Brewers take on the Los Angeles Dodgers at American Family Field in Milwaukee, WI. The game starts at 6:40pm, and our tickets will be in the Loge Outfield section on the first base side, second level.
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 Specialist at jsocolick@cclse.org. Additional tickets will also be available for purchase separately.
Ticket registration opens on March 9, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. Ticket distribution will be determined and communicated to you in April 2026 by a WiFCC Support Specialist. Please note, general parking passes are included in your ticket offer. For information on parking, directions, or alternative transportation to American Family Field, visit:
https://www.mlb.com/brewers/ballpark/transportation
Please review the ballpark’s bag and carry-in policies at https://www.mlb.com/brewers/ballpark/security
For any questions, please email 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.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-05-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Online
A virtual group to support relative caregivers, caring for children.

Join us for this opportunity to connect with other relative caregivers who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as a way to share the joys and challenges of being a relative caregiver. Our meetings will continue to be held virtually on one Thursday every month from 11am-12pm.
You will need to have an internet connection, computer or phone with the free Zoom app, a webcam and microphone. Please contact Breanna at bcalko@cclse.org with questions.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
All dates for 2026 are Thursdays at 11AM.

June 18
July 23
August 20
September 17
October 22
November 19
December 17

As a reminder this is for Wisconsin Residents who are relative caregivers of children.

Virtual Group: Reunified Parents
2026-05-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Please join us for this new support group offered to parents who have recently reunified, or are in the process of reunifying (transitioning to reunification within the next month of the support group occurring). We will be meeting once every six weeks via Zoom at 7:00pm and will rotate between open discussion and topics.
Our Reunified Parent Support Group will be co-facilitated by a Parent Partner with lived experience from the PSP Jefferson County program, and by WiFCC Support Specialists Christy Timm and Chelsey Coulthurst.
We have several professional parent partners who are reunified parents themselves who will be discussing topics most important to the reunified parent community. The program, Parents Supporting Parents, cultivates the leadership of Wisconsin’s parents who have lived experience in the child welfare system. This group of parents serves as a model of hope and sources of support for parents currently experiencing public child welfare. It is parents with lived experience that will help to shape services and systems to promote child safety, permanency, and family well-being—and we want this support group to promote those ideals.
This group will value and be built upon non-judgmental support and encouragement. All attendees will be expected to respect the supportive environment of the group. If you are not sure if you qualify for this group, please reach out to your social worker. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact ccoulthurst@cclse.org.

Virtual Group: Trauma Informed Parenting
2026-05-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Zoom
For WI caregivers who are parenting youth with a high level of need due to complex trauma histories related to adoption or out-of-home care.

Adoptive, Kinship, Reunified, Foster, & Guardianship parents and caregivers: Please join us for a trauma-informed virtual support group just for you! This group is especially for caregivers who are:
-Parenting youth with trauma histories
-Parenting youth with emotional or behavioral challenges and/or diagnoses such as RAD, DMDD, & ODD.
The group meets on the 3rd Monday of each month from noon (12:00 pm) – 1:00 pm. There will be monthly focus areas for discussion and/or guest speakers to support ongoing learning, but always with plenty of time for connection and support. Please register early as group size is limited.
This group is facilitated by WIFCC Case Manager Allison Kunkel MS, APSW. With questions, please email wifcc@cclse.org.
Please note: This group is specifically designed to provide support for the caregivers of youth with a high level of presenting need because of past trauma histories, emotional/behavioral challenges or diagnoses. You will be asked to confirm that this applies to you within your registration. If you are interested in a more social group that still has a connected parenting approach, please check out some of our other virtual support group options at https://wifcc.eventbrite.com/
This online group will utilize Zoom to connect over video chat. You will need to have access to a smart phone with the free Zoom app, or a computer with a camera and microphone.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

Family Day at the Farm sponsored by Jockey Being Family: Brooklyn
2026-05-17 09:30 - 15:30 | Rising Spirits Farm, 996 Storytown Rd., Brooklyn, WI, 53521
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale April 6 @6pm)

Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families — Join us for a special event sponsored by the Wisconsin Family Connections Center and Jockey Being Family, in partnership with the CEDAR Center! Come spend the morning or afternoon connecting with nature and horses and find out how this can be a way to strengthen connection with ourselves, our family members, and other families. You will have the opportunity to experience hands-on games, activities, and art projects that will support communication, empathy, deepening relationships, and a sense of community. Horse activities will include brushing, grooming, and possibly leading. (The day will not include riding horses.) Snacks and drinks will be provided, as well as a lunch that will allow the morning and afternoon groups to come together and meet one another. All sensory and disability experiences are welcome. Information you provide about your children’s special needs will be shared with the CEDAR Center. This event will be held at beautiful Rising Spirits Farm in Brooklyn, WI. In the event of rain, we will use the barn and indoor arena. All participants will need to fill out a liability release form before interacting with horses.
Please register for the morning session (9:30am to noon) if your children are elementary school aged (approximately 6-12). Please register for the afternoon session (1pm to 3:30pm) if you have teens. If you have both younger and older children, choose the option in which you think your children would do best. Each family should sign up for only one session so that as many families as possible can benefit.
About our facilitator: We are thrilled to be partnering with Elizabeth Seeliger of the CEDAR Center for this event. Elizabeth is a graduate of the Gestalt Equine Institute of the Rockies and is an adopted person as well as an adoptive parent. She has training in Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health, which guides her work with families. For more information about the CEDAR Center or Rising Spirits Farm, visit their websites at https://www.cedarcenter.org and https://www.triquestrian.com/
This event is able to be offered to families at no charge thanks to funding from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center.
If you have questions or would like to be added to the waitlist, please email Megan at mmiller@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.

Families Like Mine: Relative Caregivers for Children-Northern WI
2026-05-16 10:00 - 14:00 | The Key To Escape, 407 Oneida St., Minoqua, WI, 54548
Join us at the Families Like Mine Regional Event for Wisconsin Relative Caregivers of Children – let’s share, learn, and support each other!

This Families Like Mine is a free regional event for relative caregivers in Northern Wisconsin who are caring for children both through child welfare and informally. This drop-in event at The Key to Escape will take place from 10:00am-2:00pm. Please come when it is convenient for you.
This event will feature:

Regional and state-wide vendors that support relative and like-kin caregiving families
Provide opportunities to connect with experienced relative and like-kin caregivers to build support and connection
The renting out of the mini-golf space to exclusively allow relative and like-kin caregivers to enjoy the activity with the children they are caring for

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

REGISTER TODAY!

Caregiver Coffee Meet Up: Madison
2026-05-16 10:00 - 11:00 | Mercies Coffee, 1748 Eagan Road, Madison, WI, 53704
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for this opportunity to meet with other caregivers and make connections! Come enjoy a meal and cup of coffee on us and get to know other adoptive, guardianship, foster, kinship, and reunified caregivers in your area.
We will meet at Mercies Coffee in Madison, WI. Each registrant will receive 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 specific for adoptive, guardianship, foster, kinship, and reunified caregivers.
Register

Circles of Life Conference - Families and Professionals on the Path Together
2026-05-14 - 2026-05-15 | Holiday Inn Convention Center, Stevens Point, 1001 Amber Avenue, Stevens Point, WI, 54482, United States
Circles of Life is Wisconsin’s annual conference for families who have children with disabilities and the professionals who support them.

Deadline: May 1 / No Walk-in Registrations
Event Highlights:

30 Family-Focused Sessions: IEPs, employment, self-care, financial planning, and more
Gathering of Youth: a dynamic program for youth ages 10 to 18 with disabilities
Sibshops: half-day sessions for brothers and sisters of children with disabilities
Over 45 Valuable Resource Vendors
Financial Assistance: learn how to request funding from CLTS, IRIS or Family Care for this event
Limited Scholarships: available to families to cover the cost of registration and lodging

Register

Virtual Group: Adult Adoptees
2026-05-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom
A virtual group for adult adoptees in WI

Connect with other adult adoptees from around Wisconsin. This will be a space for discussing your adoption experiences with others who “get it”, as well as for just getting to know one another and talking about life. This group is an open discussion format and is facilitated by an adult adoptee.
This online group will utilize Zoom to connect over video chat. You will need to have access to a smart phone or a computer with the free Zoom app, a camera and microphone. Registrants will be emailed a link to use for joining the video chat. If you have any questions, please contact creppe@cclse.org.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.

Virtual Group: Birth Parent Support
2026-05-12 18:30 - 19:30 | Zoom
A virtual support group for birth parents throughout Wisconsin.

An online support group for birth parents who have placed a child for adoption. This group is open to all birth parents who have had a child placed for adoption, no matter what type of adoption or agency involved. Come ask your questions and meet others who share a similar story. It does not matter how long ago you placed. This group will meet on the second Tuesday of every other month (odd months – January, March….) and will be facilitated by Karla. If you have any questions, please contact kmeyer@cclse.org.
This online group will utilize Zoom to connect over video chat. You will need to have access to a smart phone with the free Zoom app, or a computer with a camera and microphone. Registrants will be emailed a link to use for joining the video chat.
This group is offered through the Wisconsin Family Connections Center, a program funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
Register

New Insights and Supports for Transracial Parenting: Launching our Updated Transracial Parenting Series
2026-05-12 12:00 - 13:00 | WEBINAR
Join us for this Lunch and Learn Webinar presented by Isaac Etter, a transracial adoptee and founder of Identity and Parenting Different. Isaac will introduce himself and share an overview of his work, and introduce our newly updated Transracial Parenting Series located in Champion Classrooms. These upcoming recorded webinars will include Inside Transracial Adoption, Protective Styling Done Right, Trauma-Informed Parenting in Transracial Families, and Understanding and Supporting Transracial Adoptees.
Join us to learn about these updates to the Transracial Parenting Series and gain insight into the important work Isaac Etter is doing to support foster and adoptive families, as well as relative/like-kin caregivers of children.
Register

Family Fun Day at Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway: Osceola
2026-05-09 11:00 - 14:00 | Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway, 114 Depot Rd., Osceola, WI, 54020
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

All aboard the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway on Saturday, May 9th at 11 am! Your ticket registration includes the train ride, pizza and scenic views of the St. Croix River Valley. There is a maximum of 4 tickets available per household.
To learn more about Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railway, visit their website here: https://trainride.org/all-rides/.
If you have 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.

Birth Parent Woodboard Art: Wausau
2026-05-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Clay Corner Studio LLC, 1801 Sherman Street, Wausau, WI, 54401, United States
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

This event is open to all birth parents who have had a child placed for adoption, no matter what type of adoption or which agency was involved. Regardless of how long ago placement occurred, you are eligible to sign up for this event.
Join WiFCC at Clay Corner Studio LLC for a fun night of woodboard art and connection! You will be able to choose from many different designs and take home your project the same day!
We want all attendees to feel comfortable while meeting other birth parents, which is why we are offering a support person ticket type for this event. This ticket will allow you to bring one supportive person to this event who does not need to identify as a birth parent.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Karla at kmeyer@cclse.org or call/text (715) 577-3999.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Cozy Connections Book Club
2026-05-04 19:00 - 20:30 | Zoom
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale March 23, 2026)

Gather your people, brew some tea, and crack open a good book because connection starts with a story. The Wisconsin Family Connections Center now has an online book club to help individuals come together, laugh, learn, and feel less alone. Whether you are a foster, adoptive, or kinship caregiver – this group is for you!
Please join us for a series of relaxed evenings (virtual) to share reflections, connections, and conversations as we read through: Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley.
This online book club will meet every other week beginning May 4th.
When you register, please be sure to fill out your most recent contact information as the book will be shipped directly to your home. If you already have a copy of this book or have access to a copy through your local library, please indicate that when you register.
Once this group finishes the current book, the group will help select the next read.
For any questions or concerns regarding this online book club, please contact Megan at mmiller@cclse.org.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Foster Care Month Connection Event
2026-05-03 10:00 - 13:00 | Milwaukee Urban Stables, 143 E Lincoln Ave., Milwaukee, WI, 53207
Join us May 3rd in Milwaukee for treats, tie-dye, and a bit of horsing around. We’re ecstatic to announce that Mounted Patrol will be at our event to strengthen relationships and build connections between our communities.
This open house style event is free and family friendly. You can RSVP to the event here.

Family Day at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center: Manitowoc
2026-05-02 11:00 - 13:30 | Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, 7001 Gass Lake Rd., Manitowoc, WI, 54220
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (starts March 2, 2026 @ 6pm)

Join WiFCC at Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center, which offers an educational experience about agriculture with interactive exhibits, a birthing barn, and a farm-to-table café. The center spans over 10,000 sq. ft. and celebrates Wisconsin’s agricultural heritage. Wisconsin is highlighted as a major agricultural state with over 58,000 farms.
The itinerary includes:
• A private guided tour.
• Children participating in the Caring for Calves STEM lab.
• Ending with ice cream from the café.
• Feel free to pack a picnic lunch for their designated area.
Additional details:
• Contact: Val at vzegers@cclse.org.
• Cancellation policy: Must cancel 72 hours in advance; repeated late cancellations or no-shows lead to waitlist status.
• Eligibility: Limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

WiFCC & Jockey Being Family Caregiver Getaway: Madison
2026-05-02 09:30 - 14:00 | Holy Wisdom Monastery, 4200 County HWY M, Middleton, WI, 53562
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

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 to focus on caring for yourself. Attend as an individual or as a couple, both are welcome! Our speaker, Jess Dallman, will guide us through the day at the Holy Wisdom Monastery in Middleton. This day is meant to incorporate connection, learning, and rest to help you re-charge. 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. WiFCC staff will provide you with a certificate of attendance (3 hours) for ongoing education documentation, if needed. Registrants must be in attendance for Saturday’s programming in order to be eligible for hotel and childcare reimbursements.
INCLUDED in this free getaway for you:
-A one-night 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 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 child care 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.
-There will be three additional WiFCC & Jockey Being Family Caregiver Retreats offered throughout the state this spring (Brookfield 4/11, River Falls 4/11, Neenah 4/25). Please only register for one getaway.
Space for this event is limited.
*Hotel reimbursement details: A one-night hotel reimbursement of up to $125 is available for each attending household, with block rooms available on either Friday or Saturday evening through Fairfield Inn and Suites Madison West/Middleton with a nightly rate of $129. 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 Tuesday, March 31, 2026. 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 March 31st, 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 (either at the same hotel or another hotel nearby). Registrants are responsible for booking & paying for hotel rooms individually – these reservations will NOT be booked or paid for by the WiFCC. The block rooms reserved are roughly 5 miles away from the event venue (roughly 15 minute drive), so please plan accordingly.
If you have questions or would like to be added to the waitlist, please email Megan at mmiller@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.
