Contact Us
Call: 1-800-532-3321 or 608-265-8610
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Email: crcsouth@waisman.wisc.edu
Other ways to stay updated, informed and involved:
- The CRC-South uses a listserv to inform families about upcoming trainings and events in our region and opportunities for state and national input. Send an email to join-src4family@lists.wisc.edu. You can unsubscribe at any time.
- Families have joined us in reviewing the Navigation Guide and starting Conversations on Showing Up for Kids! Opportunities to give input happen throughout the year and are offered through the listserv.
- Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernRegionalCenter
The Children’s Resource Center-South is dedicated to supporting all families with children and youth with special health care needs/disabilities and the providers who serve them. We are parents and professionals who can help get answers, find services, connect you to community resources, provide trainings, and support you on your journey. Our Center serves the following counties: Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, and Vernon, shown in orange on the map.
Contact information for the other Children’s Resource Centers (CRC)
CRC-Southeast
414-266-6333/800-234-KIDS(5437)
www.southeastregionalcenter.org
email: CRCsoutheast@childrenswi.org
CRC-Northeast
920-969-5325/877-568-5205
www.northeastregionalcenter.org
email: infonerc@chw.org
CRC-North
715-261-1906/866-640-4106
www.crcnorth.org
email: crcnorth@co.marathon.wi.us
CRC-West
715-726-7907/800-400-3678
www.co.chippewa.wi.us/crcwest
email: crcwest@co.chippewa.wi.us
Featured Resources and Events
- Transition Talks Tuesdays had a great season with Sauk Prairie Schools. Check out the on-demand sessions.
- Conversations on Showing Up for Kids! is continuing into December!
- Our Fall Virtual Workshop schedule is available! Trainingcalendarfall2023full
- Monday Night Transitions 2nd Mondays 6:15-7:15pm Virtual Registration
December Recommended Book of the Month
Recommended Book of the Month
Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty
Find it at your local library: Monarch Library System, Prairie Lakes Library System, South Central Library System, Southwest Library System, Winding Rivers Library System, Wisconsin’s Digital Library
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can’t get a single word down. He is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach . . . until inspiration strikes, and Aaron finds a way to spin a tale in a way that is uniquely his. Provided by Sun Prairie Library Youth Services Staff
Events
What's New?
Resources for children with special health needs and the families who care for them
Don’t worry about calming the storm. Calm yourself; the storm will pass. -source unknown
Featured Resources and Events — Friday, December 1
Dec 6, Noon: Making IEP’s Palatable with the Family Panel Registration Let’s talk about what snacks families have brought with them to IEP meetings to help build relationships and come prepared to submit your favorite one to be put into the IEP Snackbook Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Monday Night Transitions Dec 11, 6:15-7:15pm Virtual Registration A chance for families of transition-aged AYA (Adolescents and Young Adults), 12-21years old, with disabilities/special health care needs, to get together and talk transition. Topics could include health care, school, employment, housing, decision making – it’s up to you. We believe families talking with families is the best support possible. The informal discussions will be led by Tim Markle, lived-experience parent with the Southern Regional Center and the Youth Health Transition Initiative. You can show up for one or more discussions.
Recent recordings and resources
Let’s Learn About the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA) November 21, 2023: Recording The mission of WFACSA is to raise awareness of family and caregiver support needs and increase the availability of and access to services and supports (both paid and unpaid) which will keep people across the lifespan engaged in their community as long as they desire. Let’s have a conversation about who is a Caregiver, what supports are available and how people can get involved with WFACSA. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Self-care on a Budget-Family Panel Strikes Back Nov 15, 2023 Recording Taking care of yourself while on a budget, and no babysitter. We have all been through that. You be surprised how many ideas parents come up with. But those in crisis don’t have the luxury to think of those solutions all the time. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Depression and Kids with ASD/DD Oct 31, 2023 Recording Join Lindsay McCary, Director of Psychological Services at KGH Autism Services, and talk about what depression is, how it might look in kids with ASD/DD, and how families can help — especially when they are waiting to get into therapy. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Transition Talks Tuesdays: Topics — Sauk Prairie Schools Beyond 18 Employment Options & Ho-Chunk Nation Financial Literacy Program; Disability Work Benefits; Health Care Changes, Too!; Supported Decision Making and Guardianship; Aging and Disability Resource Center; Postsecondary Transition Plan, Special Needs Trust. Offered in partnership with Sauk Prairie Schools. Spanish interpretation (and recordings) provided by Interpreter’s Cooperative of Madison through the support of the Wisconsin Integrated Transition Planning Project. TTTflyerSauk
Conversations on Showing Up for Kids! Topics — Self-Care on a Budget (Family Panel); Depression and Kids with ASD/DD; How Can I Help from My Home (Family Panel); Should We Consider Homeschooling?; What is a BIP?; School has started! How do we change the IEP?; Taking a deep dive into Neurodiversity; Family Built Support Systems.
Recommended Book of the Month
Aaron Slater, Illustrator by Andrea Beaty
Find it at your local library: Monarch Library System, Prairie Lakes Library System, South Central Library System, Southwest Library System, Winding Rivers Library System, Wisconsin’s Digital Library
Aaron Slater loves listening to stories and dreams of one day writing them himself. But when it comes to reading, the letters just look like squiggles to him, and it soon becomes clear he struggles more than his peers. When his teacher asks each child in the class to write a story, Aaron can’t get a single word down. He is sure his dream of being a storyteller is out of reach . . . until inspiration strikes, and Aaron finds a way to spin a tale in a way that is uniquely his. Provided by Sun Prairie Library Youth Services Staff.
Upcoming Events and Workshops
Parenting While Rising to Child Developmental Challenges — Family-to-Family Real Talk free — Dec 4 2-3pm Episode 4: Siblings of Children with Developmental Differences Spanish translation and closed captioning available from Brazelton Touchpoints Center
Trauma, Brains, and BIG Emotions: Providing Trauma-Informed Support to Neurodivergent Kids, Teens, and Adults Dec 6, 9:00-11:00am In-person at South Madison Partnership $30 (scholarship available by contacting tmarkle@wisc.edu) Training Series from Ellen Merker and Community Outreach Wisconsin – Waisman Center
Finding Joy in Holidays & Special Days (virtual) Dec 7, 12:30-1:30 Family Connections from National Family Support TAC
Making IEP’s Palatable with the Family Panel Dec 6, Noon: Registration Let’s talk about what snacks families have brought with them to IEP meetings to help build relationships and come prepared to submit your favorite one to be put into the IEP Snackbook Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Lived Experience Academy virtual Training on Implicit Bias Dec 7, 6-8pm from the WI Office of Children’s Mental Health RSVP HERE: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/7593752/Academy
Parents, Caregivers, and Youth Leaders from Wisconsin are invited to learn…
How people subconsciously make decisions
How to assess and measure your unconscious bias
How to mitigate your bias in everyday life
Please share this registration link with any family leaders who may be interested in attending this free virtual training opportunity. A stipend of $25 will be provided to the first 75 individuals who RSVP and attend the full event!
Monday Night Transitions Dec 11, 6:15-7:15pm Virtual Registration A chance for families of transition-aged AYA (Adolescents and Young Adults), 12-21years old, with disabilities/special health care needs, to get together and talk transition. Topics could include health care, school, employment, housing, decision making – it’s up to you. We believe families talking with families is the best support possible. The informal discussions will be led by Tim Markle, lived-experience parent with the Southern Regional Center and the Youth Health Transition Initiative. You can show up for one or more discussions.
Youth Engagement (virtual) Dec 13, 9-11am from Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children
Imagining the Indian – The Fight Against Native American Mascoting Dec 13, 2:00pm a Learning to Listen: Conversations for Change from Brazelton Touchpoints Center with Ben West, Co-Director, Yancey Burns, Co-Producer and Amy West, Psychologist
Wednesday, December 13, 2023, at 3 PM ET / 12 PM PT
Parenting While Rising to Child Developmental Challenges — Family-to-Family Real Talk free — Dec 18 2-3pm Episode 5: Hope versus Denial and the Long View Spanish translation and closed captioning available from Brazelton Touchpoints Center
Project Search Open House Wisconsin Dells Area Feb 22, 11:30am-1:30pm at the Kalahari Resorts & Conventions — contact LaNae Jabas — jabas@cesa5.org
Other information for the Week of November 27
Let’s Learn About the Wisconsin Family and Caregiver Support Alliance (WFACSA) November 21, 2023: Recording The mission of WFACSA is to raise awareness of family and caregiver support needs and increase the availability of and access to services and supports (both paid and unpaid) which will keep people across the lifespan engaged in their community as long as they desire. Let’s have a conversation about who is a Caregiver, what supports are available and how people can get involved with WFACSA. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
December events: Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin, Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin, Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin
Chatter Matters Camp registration is open. A family camp for children who are 5 to 15 who use AAC and their family members. The camp is June 20th to June 23rd at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research December 2023
- A Framework for Investigating Living and Working with Disabilities and Long COVID -webinar recording/slides
- ICYMI — “The TEA on IEPs” Comic; STAY Tuned Podcast 12; Managing Paperwork Tip Sheet; Applying for a Job Tip Sheet; “How I Use Lights to Manage My Mental Health and Brighten My Mood” — young adult blog
- Young Adult Meme Corner
Research News in Children’s Mental Health from WI OCMH
- Nearly all voters say youth mental health is a serious problem; large majority say social media has been a factor (Story)
- Integrating Behavioral Health Care into Primary Care Centers (Journal Article with Video Abstract)
- Alternatives to Preschool Expulsions, the Pediatrician’s Role (News Release)
- New data from the CDC show Black children have the highest rate of emergency department (ED) visits for mental health concerns. (Story)
- Affirming Actions among trans and nonbinary youth (Research Brief)
- Children Who Survive Shootings Endure Huge Health Obstacles and Costs (KFF)
- Young adults in the U.S. report twice the rates of anxiety and depression as teens. (Story)
- Friendship in America (Survey Story)
TMG’s The Path Ahead Newsletter
- The Importance of Caregivers
- Caregiving Through Love
- Resources for Caregivers
- WisCaregivers Careers
- Electronic Visit Verification Update
- Medicaid Renewal Information
Other information for the Week of November 20
Partner research opportunity:
My name is Tracey Stanislawski, and I am a doctoral student at National University. I am conducting a research study to gain insight into the home school partnership experiences of parents of adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
I am recruiting individuals who meet all of these criteria:
- You are 18 years or older.
- You are the parent of an adolescent ages 10-19.
- Your adolescent has an IEP from a public school in Wisconsin
or your adolescent has a medical diagnosis of autism
or your adolescent has an IEP for educational autism.
If you decide to participate in this study, you will be asked to do the following activities: Share the Parent Engagement section of your Adolescent’s IEP. Share any documents that you feel are meaningful to you in regard to family engagement. You will be asked to participate in a zoom interview that will last no more than 60 minutes. Review transcript via email for 20-30 minutes.
During these activities, you will be asked questions about: Your home/school partnership experiences; Ways you receive information from you adolescent’s school; Activities you are involved in at your adolescent’s school;Your thoughts on your sense of belonging at school; Your thoughts and feelings about when you may have felt did not belong.
If you are interested in participating in this study, please contact me at tstanislawski@outlook.com or by phone or text 414-916-3759. Thank you for considering participating in this voluntary research!
Your Feedback Requested: Help Two START Initiative Subcommittees Form Recommendations
The Wisconsin START Initiative is a statewide, collaborative effort to improve Wisconsin’s service system for people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs. Earlier this year, five START subcommittees began creating prioritized action plans to address five key themes in this work. Now, they want your feedback and help. Take these two short surveys by December 1, 2023
Share your thoughts on theme #4: Improving coordination and collaboration between service systems -We are developing recommendations for how to improve coordination and collaboration between service system
Share your thoughts on theme #5: Improving supports for those with IDD and mental health needs – We are developing recommendations for how to improve supports for those with IDD and mental health needs so they have a better quality of life.
November Events-Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin
#SayItForward: Open Enrollment (https://www.healthcare.gov/) runs November 1, 2023–January 15, 2024. We review key dates and where to go for help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrcbAPzcC1E#PásaloAdelante: La Inscripción Abierta (https://www.cuidadodesalud.gov/) es del 01/11/2023 al 15/01/2024. Revisamos las fechas claves y dónde ir para obtener ayuda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrcbAPzcC1E
MCH Bridges Podcast: “What the Health is Ecology of Homelessness?!”
Internet Survey of the Health Care Transition Experiences of Young Adults with Chronic Illnesses/Health Conditions/Disabilities from Dr. Cecily Betz
Family Engagement Newsletter from WI FACETS (November 2023)
Ed Department Finds Students With Disabilities Disproportionately Disciplined from Disability Scoop
PBS KIDS Announces CARL THE COLLECTOR, Its First Series Centering on Autistic Characters
Other information
NIH designates people with disabilities as a population with health disparities
New in-person workshops with Ellen Merker and Community Outreach Wisconsin 12/6 — more information and registration at https://cow.waisman.wisc.edu/training/ (Scholarships are available by contacting tmarkle@waisman.wisc.edu)
2023-2024 Family Support Community Virtual First Wednesday of the month 4:00-5:30pm or First Thursday of the month 11:30am-1:00pm The Family Support Community will allow participants to engage in positive problem solving with others in a solutions-based format. Meetings will allow for networking, learning, and peer support. Learning topics will be determined based upon members’ needs and interests. From the Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative (WSPEI)
Parenting While Rising to Child Developmental Challenges — Family-to-Family Real Talk free 5 episode conversation — 12/4; 12/18 — 2-3 pm Spanish translation and closed captioning available from Brazelton Touchpoints Center
If you have BadgerCare/Medicaid — learn about the Public Health Emergency Unwinding
- Changes are Coming to BadgerCare and Medicaid from ABC for Health
- Unwinding Partner Toolkit from Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Things to Remember
- Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program is committed to serving children under the age of 3 with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. We value your family’s primary relationship with your child and work in partnership with your family. We work to enhance your child’s development and support your family’s knowledge, skills, and abilities as you interact with and raise your child. Learn more on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.
- Katie Beckett Medicaid provides access to Wisconsin Medicaid services for children with disabilities, mental illness, or complex medical needs. Katie Beckett helps some children whose parents have too high of an income for Medicaid, and those covered by private insurance, get a ForwardHealth Medicaid card so they can receive needed services and equipment that might not otherwise be covered. To apply, families can call 888-786-3246. They will be connected with an eligibility specialist who will explain the Medicaid benefit and help the family decide if they want to pursue enrollment. Learn more on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.
- Disability Information and Access Line Help with COVID-19 vaccinations for people with disabilities from Administration for Community Living
- Dane County Behavioral Health Resource Center — If you, someone you care about, or someone you are working with needs help finding mental health and/or substance use services in Dane County. The BHRC phone line is available Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm at (608) 267-2244; Email the BHRC at BHRC@countyofdane.com
- Adams, Rock, Crawford, Lafayette, Vernon Counties — Did you know the Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) is a free program that provides Wisconsin’s early childhood care and education providers with information on best practices related to child health and safety? Through this program, early care and education (ECE) providers can receive free health consultations, on-demand training, and tailored resources surrounding best practices for health and safety needs at their child care facilities. For more information we invite you to visit the ECHC website, webinars, and podcasts.
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Interested in participating in research?
Research Studies: Up to date listing of Waisman Center studies that are currently recruiting
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School Information, Guidance and Resources for COVID-19–now on our School/Special Education Page
For more information please go to our School/Special Education page.
Waisman Center Resources and Updates for COVID-19
WI DHS Higher Risk/Families with CYSHCN Resources for COVID-19
Here are some current updates:
Several new versions of the family decision making tool available via our ReSET webpage (www.reset4kids.org):
- a Spanish version
- a fillable Word document that is more user-friendly
As you all are experiencing, the announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a media briefing on Friday, February 25, 2022 has dramatically changed the COVID mitigation landscape, including how to mitigate the spread of infection in schools. At this time there is no targeted guidance from the CDC other than the media briefing and this new COVID-19 Community Levels webpage.
DPI’s COVID-19 Infection Control and Mitigation Measures for Wisconsin School 2021-2022 is pulled from access. The document will be revised in the next few days, hopefully with more direction from the CDC. Resources below will hopefully be updated in the near future. For now, they are for historical reference.
COVID-19 Webinar for Local Public Health and School Stakeholders (1.26.22)
WI Department of Health Services Clinical Guidance for vaccinating 5-11 year olds (11.5.21)
Safe, Strong & Healthy Schools with Wisconsin doctors, educators, scientists, and leaders exploring the ways that schools and districts can build and maintain “Safe, Strong & Healthy Schools”
ReSET (Restarting Safe Education & Testing) for Children with Medical Complexity from Healthy Kids Collaborative Dane County
Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html
Overview of COVID-19 Isolation for K-12 Schools (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-isolation.html
Overview of COVID-19 Quarantine for K-12 Schools (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-quarantine.html
Responding to COVID-19 Cases in K-12 Schools: Resources for School Administrators (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/guide.html
What You Should Know About COVID-19 Testing in Schools (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/what-you-should-know.html
Schools, Child Care, and Colleges (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html
Wisconsin Well Badger Resource Center is a statewide public health Information and Referral (I&R) service and resource program offering a toll free phone line and website for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and more. Well Badger is staffed to provide information and referrals with a deliberate focus to engage high-risk populations and for those with special needs.
The WI Children’s Mental & Behavioral Health Navigator is a free, confidential, online tool designed to help parents, caregivers and professionals in Wisconsin navigate (find, access, pay for) mental and behavioral health services and support for children, adolescents and young adults under the age of 21. Just answer a few questions about the child, and the Navigator provides a customized guide to connect kids and families with the resources and support they need and deserve.
Website: https://wellbadger.org/
Phone: 1-800-642-7837
The Southern Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs tries to help families, and the professionals who support them, through providing current resources, news articles, interesting items and more. We post “What’s New” on our home page each week. We regularly post this content and more on our Facebook page. We send out a weekly Resource Round-up on Fridays (send an email with Weekly Resource Round-up in the Subject Line to cyshcn@waisman.wisc.edu to join).We bring together the “What’s New” resources by topic and place them on the Resources page. We hope you can find some help, encouragement, or just information on this page. New content is added regularly.