Wisconsin Family Connections Center

Virtual Group: Birth Parent Support
2026-03-10 18:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | 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

WiFCC Family Waterpark Day Kalahari: Wisconsin Dells
2026-03-07 11:00 - 12:30 UTC | Kalahari Resort, 1305 Kalahari Dr, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Please join WiFCC for a day at the waterpark! This event is open to all adoptive, guardianship, foster, kinship, and reunified families. Please note that if you attended this event this past June, you will be automatically put on a waitlist to ensure other families have a chance to attend the event. Please arrive between 11 am and 12:30 pm to ensure you receive your wristbands to access the waterpark.
We will have a conference room rented for families to check in with WiFCC staff to get their wristbands. This will also give a chance for families to connect before enjoying the waterpark for the day. Each registrant will receive a wristband for the waterpark along with a pizza/soda coupon. The waterpark is open from 10 am-9 pm for your family to enjoy!
Please bring your own towels as these are not provided to us. The Kalahari is also cashless, so ensure you have a debit/credit card if you would like to make other purchases. If you have any questions, please reach out to Chelsey at ccoulthurst@cclse.org.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Parents Night Out with the New Dueling Pianos: The Cove of Lake Geneva
2026-03-06 18:00 - 2026-03-07 22:00 UTC | The Cove of Lake Geneva, 111 Center St, Lake Geneva, WI, 53147
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Calling all Wisconsin Family Connections Center parents/caregivers who are looking for a Night Out full of entertainment and laughs!!! Come join us as we jam with the NEW Dueling Pianos at The Cove in Lake Geneva. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the show runs from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
What are dueling pianos? The New Dueling Pianos are a highly interactive form of musical entertainment, typically featuring two pianists facing each other on grand pianos. “The Guys” are request-based, interactive, hilarious, sing-along/clap-along, request-driven singers who cover practically every music genre! For more information on the New Dueling Pianos, please visit: https://newduelingpianos.com, and for information on the Cove of Lake Geneva, please visit: https://www.coveoflakegeneva.com/
Registration for this event will begin on January 05, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. Our WiFCC Tables will have two ticket types available for the show:

A couple’s ticket for you and your spouse/partner with other WiFCC couples OR
A single ticket for you to come enjoy your evening with other WiFCC parents/caregivers.

This show is for the grown-ups, so leave the kids at home! For caregivers who need to secure childcare back home in order to attend, a $25 childcare stipend will also be available.
For all questions and concerns, please contact 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.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Building Your Village: Creating Empowering Communities for Children and Families
2026-03-05 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Microsoft Teams
We are thrilled to welcome special guest speaker Dr. KayLa N. Allen-Young, founder of Dear Mixed Girl. Dr. Allen-Young is nationally recognized for her work on identity development, belonging, and inclusion. She brings a powerful voice and deep expertise in helping families understand and celebrate the unique journeys of children and adolescents as they discover who they are.
What We’ll Cover:
This final session focuses on the importance of building a strong, supportive “village” around children and families as they navigate identity development, belonging, and growth. Families are not meant to do this work alone, and this webinar explores how caregivers, extended family, trusted adults, and community supports can work together to create environments where children feel safe, seen, and empowered.
Participants will explore how emotionally responsive relationships, shared values, and open communication strengthen trust and resilience within family systems. The session will also offer practical tools to help families identify supportive connections, set healthy boundaries, and collaborate effectively with schools and community partners.
Key Takeaways Include:

Understanding why a strong support system matters for children and families
Identifying who belongs in your child’s “village” and how each role contributes
Strengthening trust, communication, and shared responsibility among caregivers
Creating inclusive, nurturing environments that promote empathy and belonging
Practical strategies families can use immediately to build and sustain support

This session brings together the core themes of identity development, emotional intelligence, and cultural proficiency, leaving families feeling equipped, encouraged, and confident in their ability to support their children moving forward.
Questions?
Contact Kaitlyn Healy for more information.
📧 Email: khealy@wifamilyties.org
Register

Emergency Behavior Intervention: What to do When a Child is in Crisis
2026-03-05 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
When a child experiences a behavioral crisis, such as physical aggression, self-harm, property destruction, or running away, immediate intervention is crucial for their safety and the safety of others. This webinar will provide participants with a deep understanding of key crisis management strategies for foster and adopted children, including de-escalation techniques, risk assessment, and the safe management of aggressive or self-harming behaviors. The speaker will emphasize the significance of a child’s trauma history, guiding professionals and families in responding with compassion while ensuring immediate safety.
This FREE live webinar is sponsored by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and will provide 1.5 CE credits for social workers. For social workers licensed in the state of New York, it will provide 1.5 contact hours.
For more information on this webinar and continuing education credits please follow the links below. CE credits: https://adoption.talentlms.com/plus/catalog/courses/353 NY contact hours: https://adoption.talentlms.com/plus/catalog/courses/358
Register

Adoptee Beacon - Estrangement Support Group
2026-03-04 19:30 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
A light to guide adoptees navigating the rough waters of estrangement.
Weekly gatherings on Zoom Wednesdays March 4 – May 20, 2026
For adoptees experiencing any level of estrangement. This group will offer a journey toward understanding, healing, and growth.

Lean into exploring adoptee critical thought and nuanced layers of estrangement to foster a deeper understanding of self unique to the adoptee experience.
Receive support in practicing compassionate assertiveness and understand how to maintain boundaries with extended family and shared communities.
Recognize that complete estrangement may not always be feasible due to financial, emotional, or social dependencies, Adoptee Beacon explores strategies for holding intensive boundaries.
Understand that reconciliation, in its many forms, is a pivotal part of the journey. Whether reconciling with others or oneself, embark on path together with the group, and shed light on the multifaceted nature of healing while removing the focus from basic ideas of reconciliation.
Celebrate individual and shared growth, understanding, and healing journeys. We will underscore transformation, marking not and end but a new beginning in each member’s journey.

Please note that there are payment options, and as well there are limited Community Support Funds available for adoptees experiencing financial hardship.
Register

Parent/Caregiver Night at The Potter's Shed: Shell Lake
2026-03-04 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | The Potter’s Shed, 260 Industrial Blvd., Shell Lake, WI, 54871
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers, join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center at The Potter’s Shed on Wednesday, March 4th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm for an evening of pottery and connection!
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 participants 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.

Foster Parent and Adoptive Parent Support Group - Fond du Lac
2026-03-03 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

WiFCC Family Night at Admirals Hockey
2026-03-01 15:00 - 18:00 UTC | Milwaukee Admirals, 510 W. Kilbourn Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53203
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families and individuals!
Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for a family hockey day with the Admirals! The Admirals will take on the Manitoba Moose in this Sunday afternoon game. Each ticket will also include a $10 concession card that can be used at any of the food vendors at the arena.
Please refer to the Admirals’ website for information on the arena, including their bag policy and parking availability, here: https://www.milwaukeeadmirals.com/fans/faq/
If you have any questions, please contact Christy at ctimm@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.

Relinquishment, Reunion, and Family Truths - A Conversation Inspired by Vivien's Wild Ride
2026-02-26 19:00 - 20:15 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Join birth/first mother Vivien Hillgrove (Director: Vivien’s Wild Ride), her daughter Kathleen Toschi, Dr. Sara Docan-Morgan (author, In Reunion), and Moderator Astrid Castro (Founder and CEO, Adoption Mosaic) in a conversation about relinquishment during the “Baby Scoop Era” of U.S. adoptions (1945-1973), and the complexities of adoption reunions decades later. Presented by Adoption Mosaic, Mom’s Head Films, and Mu Films. Co-presented with Adoption Knowledge Affiliates (AKA), Adoptee Rights Law Center, Adoption Pop!, Concerned United Birth Parents (CUB), National Association of Adoptees and Parents (NAAP), and Saving Our Sisters (SOS).
ASL interpretation and captioning are available. For access questions, please email info@mufilms.org.
Register

Adoption Assistance Eligibility & Benefits Webinar
2026-02-26 14:00 - 15:15 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Learn the basics about adoption assistance for children adopted from foster care, including eligibility, benefits, taxes, and more.
The workshop is designed for both:

Prospective parents seeking to learn more about the support available for the children they adopt
Parents who are seeking an adjustment due to a change in their child’s needs or circumstances

Register

Virtual Group: Reunified Parents
2026-02-25 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

A "Grand" Love: An Interactive Conversation with Author-Speaker Janna Barkin
2026-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Being a grandparent to a transgender child may feel isolating. Generational differences can make it challenging to understand what a grandchild is going through. The vocabulary is unfamiliar, friends can’t relate, and turning to the parent – one’s own son or daughter – for support may add further tension to the equation. The love for the grandchild is a given, and grandparents (grand uncles, grand aunts and other grand loves) have their own worthwhile questions, concerns, and feelings. How can one deepen their understanding, navigate personal needs, and be the best support to both child and grandchild, especially if they are on the outside looking in? And, just how does one get the new pronoun to easily roll off the tongue, anyway?!
We know that parents can feel apprehensive about the reactions of their own mother or father – will they be supportive of the grandchild, will they resist, or will they question their parenting choices? We strongly encourage our TransFamilies parent community to extend this special invitation to the elders in their child’s life. Our hope is to explore the intergenerational dynamics at play while centering the experiences of elders during the interactive portion of this conversation.
All are encouraged to attend this webinar: A “Grand” Love: An Interactive Conversation with Author-Speaker Janna Barkin
Register

They Are Not Invisible: Centering Adopted Boys’ Identity, Belonging, And Support (Dr. Adam Anthony)
2026-02-25 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | Zoom
This session explores how adopted boys—particularly Black adopted boys—are often rendered invisible when adoption is understood as an endpoint rather than a lifelong experience. While stability and love are essential, they do not automatically address the layered identity, emotional, and belonging needs adopted boys carry as they grow into adolescence and adulthood.
Drawing from his lived experience as a same-race Black adoptee, his professional work in mentorship and leadership development, and research insights from his doctoral dissertation on identity and support systems, Dr. Anthony expands the ‘They Are Not Invisible’ framework. This framework names the subtle but significant ways adopted boys’ needs go unrecognized, especially when they appear “well-adjusted” or are raised in stable, loving homes.
Participants will be invited to reframe support as an ongoing practice—one that centers curiosity, lived experience, and intentional connection—and will leave with concrete ways to better affirm adopted boys’ identities, strengthen their sense of belonging, and support their long-term well-being.

Teen & Caregiver Fun Night at The Mineshaft: Hartford
2026-02-24 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | The Mineshaft, 22 N Main St, Hartford, WI, 53027
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Caregivers and teens, join the WiFCC at The Mineshaft on February 24, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for an evening of fun with pizza and arcade games! Our pizza dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m., and we will then head to the upstairs arcade from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Each person will receive a game card with preloaded credits.
The Mineshaft boasts over 70 interactive arcade games and excellent pizza.
Visit the Mineshaft at https://mineshaftrestaurant.com/hartford-home for more information about their facility.
Please register for one ticket per person. This event is geared towards 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 regarding this event, please contact Jamie at jsocolick@cclse.org or (414) 242-5573.
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 who have been impacted by adoption or out-of-home care, and their immediate household members.

Cozy Connections Book Club
2026-02-23 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | Online
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

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: Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter.
This online book club will meet every other week, beginning February 23rd to April 6th.
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.

Family Roller Skating & Pizza Party: La Crosse
2026-02-22 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | High Roller Skating Center of La Crosse, 3624 East Avenue South, La Crosse, WI, 54601, United States
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (will start Dec. 31, 2025)

Enjoy a fun evening with the Wisconsin Family Connections Center at High Roller Skating Center here in La Crosse! This private event is for guardianship, adoptive, reunified, or foster families to skate and play on the indoor playground. Your family’s admission and roller skates/blades rental will be covered, and there will be pizza and soda provided as well! Each registered family will receive one pizza and a pitcher of soda. There is also an arcade that will be open, at cost of the family.
If you have any questions about this event, contact Breanna at bcalko@cclse.org.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Caregiver Coffee Meet Up: Madison
2026-02-21 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-02-19 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

March 19
April 23
May 21
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.

Parent/Caregiver Coffee Meet Up at Mercantile & Bean: Mukwonago
2026-02-17 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Chicago) | Mercantile & Bean, W307S4759 WI-83, Mukwonago, WI, 53149
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.
Foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers, join us to connect, learn, and share! Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for this opportunity to meet with other caregivers and make connections! We will meet at Mercantile & Bean in Mukwonago, WI. Each registrant will receive a food or drink purchase of up to $15.
You can view their menu here: https://www.mercantileandbean.com/
Registration is required for this event. Contact Jamie at jsocolick@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, per family, is available 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.

Virtual Group: Trauma Informed Parenting
2026-02-16 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Black Adoptees and the Complexities of Same Race Adoption
2026-02-14 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
This conversation centers Black adoptees who were raised in same race families and explores the complexities of that experience. Panelists will discuss how adoption shaped their racial and ethnic identity, sense of belonging, and connection to Black culture. They will also share the ways they navigated assumptions, expectations, and realities of being both Black and adopted.
Register
At Adoption Mosaic, we believe learning happens best in community with others. That’s why we host We the Experts, a monthly online speaker series featuring adoptee-centered conversations on topics that matter.
February’s panel will feature panelists that are Black Adoptees discussing the Complexities of Same Race Adoption. We invite adoptees to come and connect, and non-adoptees to join as listeners and learners; this is what we call an “adoptee-centered space.”
We hope to see you there!

Virtual Group: Adult Adoptees
2026-02-11 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Family Fun Night at Skate City: Rice Lake
2026-02-11 17:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Skate City – Rice Lake, 2057 17 1/4-17 1/2 Ave., Rice Lake, WI, 54868, United States
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families – join WiFCC for family fun night at Skate City in Rice Lake on Wednesday, February 11th from 5:00pm-7:00pm! Along with skating, Skate City features a playland for children 11 and under. Pizza and beverages will be provided!
To learn more about Skate City, check out their website: http://www.sk8city.com/.
All children must have a guardian/parent present for the entire event. Each attendee, regardless of plans to skate or not, must have a registered ticket. Please note that this may not be a sensory friendly event due to loud music and lights on the rink.
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.
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.

Clinicians Webinar - From Conflict to Collaboration: Making Parents True Partners in Treatment
2026-02-11 13:00 - 14:00 UTC | Microsoft Teams
Hard conversations with parents can leave even seasoned clinicians feeling stuck or discouraged. This session offers a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to shifting from conflict to collaboration in parent sessions. Participants will learn practical strategies to de-escalate resistance, strengthen trust, and invite parents into true partnership. Through real-world examples and usable language, clinicians will leave feeling more confident, grounded, and effective in their work with children and families.
Presented by special guest speaker to Wisconsin Family Ties, Megan M. Hamm, Ed.S, LPC-S, RPT. Megan is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist with over eighteen years of experience helping families navigate behavioral challenges. She is the owner of Time For A Change Counseling, LLC. With specialized training in trauma and attachment, Megan’s approach is rooted in understanding the underlying causes of challenging behaviors and empowering parents and clinicians with practical strategies to address them.
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from Megan M. Hamm and walk away with practical insights you can use right away.
Questions?
Contact Kaitlyn Healy for more information.
📧 Email: khealy@wifamilyties.org

Lunch and Learn: They Are Not Invisible with Dr. Adam Anthony
2026-02-11 11:00 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
In this session, Dr. Adam Anthony centers the “They Are Not Invisible” EmpowerMENt framework, highlighting the critical need to recognize and affirm foster/adopted boys—especially boys of color, as whole, complex individuals whose behaviors often represent unseen grief, identity navigation, and resilience. Through personal narrative and practical guidance, the session explores the emotional, developmental, and cultural realities shaping their inner worlds. Families and professionals will receive grounded strategies to reduce misinterpretation, strengthen connection, and build pathways for leadership, belonging, and voice. The goal is simple yet powerful: to ensure these boys are not overlooked, mislabeled, or misunderstood, but instead fully seen and supported in every environment they move through.
Register

Virtual Group: Open Mic Teen Support Group
2026-02-10 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

Cookies & Conversation - Moms Night Out!
2026-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | VanZeelands Nursery & Landscape, 2600 N Casaloma Dr., Appleton, WI, 54913
Please join the WiFCC for a Mom’s Night Out! Foster, pre-adoptive, and adoptive moms are welcome to come and relax while connecting with other moms touched by adoption.
Learn how to decorate your own set of Valentine-themed cookies with The Floured Whisk! You will be provided with six cookies, all the supplies to decorate, a box to take the cookies home, along with the recipes and step-by-step instructions. Everyone will receive a thank you bag with a cookie cutter, some piping bags, and some chocolates.
Contact Val at vzegers@cclse.org with any questions.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Frosty Fun Skate Day: Ice Skating at Monona
2026-02-07 10:30 - 12:30 (America/Chicago) | Lake Ridge Bank River Rink, 6320 Inland Wy, Monona, WI, 53716
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (will start Dec. 22, 2025)

Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregivers, and reunified families, join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center for a fun filled morning ice skating at the Lake Ridge Bank River Rink in Monona, WI. We will have the rink reserved for the morning/early afternoon. Each registered skater will receive a free skate rental, and all attendees (skater or non-skater) will receive a hot cocoa and a snack. Please note there are tickets for skaters and non-skaters. If you will not be skating but plan to attend, please select a non-skater ticket.
This event will take place from 10:30am-12:30pm. Lake Ridge Bank River Rink is located in the heart of Monona. This ice rink offers the opportunity to make fun memories and, not to mention, an opportunity to show off your skills.
Due to the popularity of this event, please let us 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. Please note there will be a maximum of 6 tickets per household.
If you have any questions, please contact Megan at mmiller@cclse.org.
Hope to see you there!
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in

Caregiver Wood Board Art: Wausau
2026-02-06 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Clay Corner Studio LLC, 1801 Sherman Street, Wausau, WI, 54401, United States
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Caregivers impacted by adoption or out-of-home care, join WiFCC at Clay Corner Studio for a Friday night of art and connection! This event will begin at 6:00 p.m. Your registration includes all supplies needed to make your craft. Please register for one ticket per person. Information on how to pick your project will be sent via email before the event.
This workshop is designed for caregivers only. If you have any questions about this event, contact Chelsey at ccoulthurst@cclse.org or 715-491-7243.
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.
