Children’s Resource Center-South Family Support and Educational Gatherings
Family Support
If you have questions about family to family support, please contact the Children’s Resource Center-South at 800-532-3321.
Connecting Families is a network of peer support in the state of Wisconsin for families of children and youth with special health care needs. By focusing on unmet needs in the community and creating innovative group opportunities, this network helps families create connections, overcome isolation, share lived experiences, and learn from one another.- Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin is dedicated to improving the lives of all who are impacted by Autism by providing information, resources and support, while raising awareness and acceptance in our community.
- Family Voices of Wisconsin is a network of Wisconsin families with children or youth with special health care needs and those who work on their behalf. The group focuses on health care access, coverage and community supports. Go to Family Voices of WI Training Calendar.
- Support Groups Talking with other parents can be a big help when you are raising a child or youth with a special health care need. Please contact the center at 800-532-3321 for more information on specific support groups within the Southern Region.
- CaringBridge can help ease the stress many parents have when their child is in the hospital for an extended period. CaringBridge allows families to set up a website about their child where they can post updates and photos.
- WisconSibs provides support to siblings of children or youth with special health care needs. The group offers peer support programs, resources, social activities and leadership opportunities.
- Sibling Support Project is a national program dedicated to the life-long concerns of millions of brothers and sisters of people with special health, developmental and mental health concerns.
- Parent-to-Parent of Wisconsin provides parent support to parents and other caregivers through a one-on-one connection to another parent with a similar experience who knows firsthand about the feelings and realities of having a child with special health care needs. When parents of children with special health care needs are asked who best can support them emotionally, their first choice is other parents who had a similar experience.
Family Leadership
A Family Leader is someone who has personal experience in using resources or services to strengthen his or her family and speaks and acts from their perspective as a family member. This person might serve as a role model or advocate for other families, sit on an advisory board, belong to a peer review team, testify at public hearings, or lead in other ways. (Parents Anonymous Inc.) By participating in family support and leadership-building activities, families gain knowledge and skills needed to be effective supports for themselves and family members. The voice is critical in the system of care to be the best it can be.
Family to Family Programs
Family Voices of Wisconsin is a network of Wisconsin families with children or youth with special health care needs and those who work on their behalf. They have some information on how to tell your story, opportunities to serve and learn and more.
Parent-to-Parent of Wisconsin trains parents to support other parents and other caregivers through a one-on-one connection.
Wisconsin Family Ties is a statewide, parent-run organization in Wisconsin working with families that include children with social, emotional or behavioral challenges. They walk beside families to provide emotional support while helping to navigate the complex service and treatment systems with which they are involved.
Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support (WI FACETS) mission is to provide and broaden opportunities that enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities and their families, with emphasis on support for underserved families in the community. They offer a number of different training workshops as well as a Parent Leader Program.
Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI) goal is to help families and school districts find or create the resources that will help them bring positive working relationships that lead to share decision-making and better outcomes for the student. They offer training for parents and a District Family Engagement Liaison Program.
Additional Opportunities
Wisconsin Partners in Policymaking: This program is a six-session advocacy training to prepare future leaders around the state who can work with lawmakers and communities to support the inclusion of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of life.
Wisconsin Family Leadership Institute (WiFLi): WiFLi is a leadership experience for families who have children with disability or special health care needs. Session build your leadership, communication and teamwork skills to improve the programs and services families depend upon.
National Youth Leadership Network (NYLN): a blog for youth leaders
