Eau Claire Children's Theatre Polar Express Holiday Party: Eau Claire
2025-12-06 13:30 - 15:30 UTC | Eau Claire Children’s Theatre, 1814 N Oxford Ave, Eau Claire, WI, 54703
Join WiFCC on Saturday, December 6th at 1:30 pm at the Eau Claire Children’s Theatre for The Polar Express Holiday Party! This event will feature model trains, Santa, hot chocolate and cookies, holiday bingo, a reading of The Polar Express, and more! This event is intended for foster, adoptive, guardianship, reunified, and relative caregiver families. Please feel free to wear holiday pajamas or festive sweaters!
There is a maximum of 6 tickets per family/household. If you have questions about this event, please contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org.
Due to the popularity of family events, please let your local WiFCC specialist know ahead of time if there is any reason you can no longer attend or need fewer tickets than you originally signed up for. We would like to accommodate as many families as possible.
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.

Christmas with Santa & the WiFCC- Busy Barn Adventure Farms: Fort Atkinson
2025-12-07 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Busy Barn Farm Adventures, W7675 US-12, Fort Atkinson, WI, 53538
Wisconsin Family Connections Center invites you to a special Christmas on the Farm Event at Busy Barn Farm Adventures in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Bring the whole family for a magical moment with Santa. Say hello, share your wish list, and snap a festive photo to remember. You won’t want to miss Mrs. Claus’s story time as she reads some of her favorite Christmas stories while you enjoy cookies and milk. Take a stroll out to Santa’s stables to visit and feed some of the furry and feathered friends on the farm (weather dependent and please dress accordingly). This private event is intended for foster, adoptive, guardianship, reunified, and relative caregiver families residing in the State of Wisconsin.
For additional information on Busy Barn Adventure Farms, please visit: https://www.busybarnsfarm.com.
Tickets are limited to 6 individuals per household. For any questions or accommodation needs, please email Jamie at jsocolick@cclse.org.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Family Fun Night at Skate City: Rice Lake
2025-12-09 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Skate City – Rice Lake, 2057 17 1/4-17 1/2 Ave., Rice Lake, WI, 54868, United States
Adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families – join WiFCC for family fun night at Skate City in Rice Lake on Tuesday, December 9th, from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm! Along with skating, Skate City features a playland for children 11 years old and under. Pizza and beverages will be provided!
Please note that there is a maximum of 5 tickets per family.
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. If you have any questions about this event, please contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.

Zootopia 2 Family Movie Event - Appleton
2025-12-09 17:00 - 19:30 UTC | Marcus Valley Grand Cinema, W3091 Van Roy Rd, Appleton, WI, 54915
Please join the WiFCC for Zootopia 2 in theaters! Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families are welcome to attend. Each family can have up to eight people from their family attend this event.
We have rented the auditorium exclusively for our group. Each attendee will receive a movie ticket, a 20-oz fountain beverage, popcorn, and candy of their choice.
Plan to arrive between 5:00 pm and 5:20 pm to check in and grab your drinks/snacks before the movie starts at 5:30 pm.
Due to the popularity of family events, please let your local WiFCC specialist know ahead of time if there is any reason you can no longer attend or need fewer tickets than you originally signed up for. We would like to accommodate as many families as possible.
If you have any questions regarding this event or require special accommodations, please contact Val at vzegers@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.

Live Webinar - Hope, Healing, and Connection: A Trauma-Responsive Journey for Families
2025-12-09 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Wisconsin Family Connections Center Classroom
Each family brings their own story—and with it, unique needs. Sometimes that story includes foster care, adoption, or guardianship. Often, needs show up right away, while others emerge as children grow and develop. In this webinar, we’ll take a gentle, trauma-responsive look at the emotional and behavioral challenges that can arise throughout the family’s journey. Together, we’ll explore how early adversity shapes the brain and behavior, how grief and loss may surface in different seasons of life, and how questions about identity and belonging can affect children as they grow. Most importantly, we’ll share practical ways families can nurture strong, healthy relationships and create deeper connections with their children.
Presenter: Samantha L. Wilson, PhD, IMH-E® IV, is Professor of Pediatrics in the division of Pediatric Psychology and Developmental Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin. She is the Director of the International Adoption Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin and has been licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in Wisconsin since 2008. She provides trauma-informed, relationship-based assessment and intervention to children/teens and their families, exclusively with families formed by adoption/foster care. Academic publications cover aspects of adoption, effects of institutional care, and social-emotional development. She is an adjunct staff for the Wisconsin-based TIES Adoptive Family Travel program, a heritage travel experience for internationally adopted people and families. Dr. Wilson is currently credentialed within Wisconsin as an Infant Mental Health Mentor (Level IV – Clinical) and is recognized as a Wisconsin-based state trainer for Trauma-Informed, Child Parent Psychotherapy. Along with direct service to youth and families, she serves as a mentor within the University of Wisconsin Infant, Early Childhood, and Family Mental Health Capstone Program and provides mental health consultation to the Waukesha County (WI) Head Start Program. Lastly, she is a cadre member of Vibrant’s Crisis Emotional Care Team, through which she provides consultation and education to professionals supporting youth in the context of early adversity and/or disaster recovery.
Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 6:00-8:00 PM
Free | Registration is limited to 500 participants. Register for the live webinar by clicking here! Licensed foster parents will receive 2.0 training credits for participation in this webinar. Each individual participant must register separately to receive credit. Questions? Call us at 1-800-762-8063 or email info@wifamilyconnectionscenter.org

Parent/Caregiver Night at The Potter's Shed: Shell Lake
2025-12-10 17:30 - 18:30 UTC | The Potter’s Shed, 260 Industrial Blvd., Shell Lake, WI, 54871
Foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers, join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center at The Potter’s Shed 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.

Empowered Families: Tools for Mental Health & Resilience - Cultural Proficiency in Action: Supporting Children and Families in Their Identity Journey
2025-12-11 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | WEBINAR
Empowered Families: Tools for Mental Health & Resilience is a FREE monthly webinar series hosted by Wisconsin Family Ties, designed to increase family knowledge and confidence in navigating the mental health challenges that children and teens may face. Each session offers practical tools, strategies, and real-world guidance to help families support youth effectively.
Webinars are open to all and grounded in strengths-based approaches that promote resilience, reduce stress, and strengthen partnerships between families, schools, and community providers.
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:

Foundations of Cultural Proficiency: What cultural proficiency means and why it matters in supporting children and families.
Understanding Identity Development: How children form their identities and how culture, family, and environment influence that process.
Embracing Cultural Differences: Ways to recognize, honor, and respond to the diverse cultural backgrounds within your family and community.
Creating Emotionally Responsive Environments: Practical approaches to fostering spaces where all children feel seen, respected, and valued.
Support Strategies for Parents & Caregivers: Actionable tools to help families nurture each child’s unique identity with confidence and sensitivity.
Strengthening Family–Child Connections: Techniques to enhance communication, empathy, and cultural understanding within the family unit.
Real-Life Scenarios & Applications: Examples and guidance for applying cultural proficiency in everyday interactions and decision-making.

This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from Dr. Allen-Young and walk away with practical insights you can use right away to support your child’s growth.
Questions?bContact Kaitlyn Healy for more information.
📧 Email: khealy@wifamilyties.org
Register

Behavioral and Emotional Skills Training (BEST)℠ (December 2025)
2025-12-12 10:30 - 12:00 UTC | Virtual
An interactive training experience to teach and apply practical techniques for effective behavior management.

About the Program

Adults caring for children often have questions about how to set clear expectations and manage behavior effectively. Especially when children exhibit challenging behaviors, adults want to know exactly how to address these situations with strategies that promote positive behavior, good social-emotional development, and increased self-esteem.
The Child Mind Institute’s Behavioral and Emotional Skills Training (BEST)℠ provides this preparation for parents and caregivers. Informed by the most up-to-date research, clinicians provide caregivers with a structured and interactive training experience aimed at teaching and immediately applying practical techniques for effective behavior management.

Training Objectives for BEST

Understand the basics of behavior management
Learn and apply skills consistently and effectively
Increase confidence in managing challenging behaviors
Develop a behaviorally-minded network of other caregivers for continued support following training completion

BEST Topics Covered

Setting routines and clear behavioral expectations
Positive reinforcement
Redirection of minor misbehavior and active ignoring
Giving good directions
Effectively shaping behavioral goals and setting up individualized behavior plans
Reprimands, loss of privileges, and time-outs
Avoiding common pitfalls like yelling and escalating threats
How to take care of yourself while taking care of others
Planning to implement these strategies at home

To provide families with support during the COVID-19 crisis, we are bringing BEST online by providing families with pre-recorded webinars plus a live parent consultation with Matthew Ferrigno, PhD and Samantha Malick, PsyD.

Who Should Attend?

Parents, grandparents, babysitters, nannies, au pairs, or other caregivers are invited to participate in BEST.

Details

Registration options:
Full BEST Webinar Series (5 hours) including live parent consultation: $225. Being held on:

Friday, December 12, 2025, 10:30 – 12:00pm CST

BEST Webinar Series (5 hours) without parent consultation: $150

Cancellation Policy

No refunds will be given for the webinar portion of the program once it has been sent to the registrant. If a participant cannot attend the live parent consultation session that they have signed up for, we will add them to the next available live session date. If they are unable to attend any live session, a refund for the live portion of the program will be given, provided the cancellation is made 30 days prior to the date of the original live program that they signed up for.
Please reach out with any questions to Beth Gononsky at Beth.Gononsky@childmind.org.

Breakfast with Santa (Fond du Lac)
2025-12-13 08:00 - 12:00 UTC | UW Oshkosh–Fond du Lac, 400 University Drive, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935
Fond du Lac County is hosting its Breakfast with Santa Event on December 13, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Fond du Lac County Campus, located at 400 University Drive.
This event is to support children in out-of-home care. Cost is $8 in advance and $10 at the door. The ticket includes breakfast (Pancakes, eggs, and bacon/sausage) and activities (Picture with Santa, Sleigh Ride, Cookie Decorating, and more).
Call Aliane at 920-906-4787 with questions.

Zootopia 2 Family Movie at The Falls Theatre: River Falls
2025-12-13 09:30 - 10:00 UTC | The Falls Theatre, 105 South Main Street, River Falls, WI, 54022
Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregivers, and reunified families and individuals — join the WiFCC to enjoy the viewing of Zootopia 2 at The Falls Theatre in River Falls. Please plan to meet at the theater between 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. to check in. The movie will begin at 10 am. Popcorn and a drink will be included for each attendee in your registration!
Movie Information:
Zootopia 2 (2025)
Rated PG
Please note that WiFCC will always choose family-friendly films rated PG or G; however, we have no control over the content or themes presented in the movie being shown at this event. This includes family dynamics and possible depictions of out-of-care and adoption-related topics. Please take a moment to visit sites such as https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ or http://www.adoptionlcsw.com/ to see if this film falls within the scope of what you wish your child to see.
If you have questions about this event, please reach out to 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.

The Juvenile Justice System and Out-of-Home Placements
2025-12-13 12:00 - 14:00 (America/Chicago) | Zoom
Register

Teen and Parent/Caregiver Night at Tactical Escape 101: Rice Lake
2025-12-16 17:30 - 2025-12-17 18:30 UTC | Tactical Escape 101, 2900 S Main St, Rice Lake, WI, 54868
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Teens and Parents/Caregivers, join WiFCC at Tactical Escape: 101 in Rice Lake on Tuesday, December 16th, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a beginner’s level escape room. Our group will be doing the “Mystery at Miller Manor” room. To learn more, check out the Tactical Escape: 101 website here: https://tacticalescape101.com/rice-lake.
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. Please register for one ticket per person and list the ages of each attendee. If you have any questions about this event, contact Madeline at mcurry@cclse.org or 715-491-4752.
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.

CARE Webinar Series: Forgiveness
2025-12-18 17:00 - 18:00 UTC | Zoom
Do you know or care for a child who is affected by parental substance misuse? Whether you are a grandparent, relative, foster parent, neighbor, friend, non-parental caregiver, educator, or youth-serving professional, this free & confidential webinar series is for you!
Each month will feature different topics on addiction led by expert guest speakers. Each webinar will be held on a Thursday from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
For questions or assistance with registration, please contact the Tree House at 262-755-8733 or jenna@treehouseforkids.net.
The CARE Webinar Series is presented in partnership by the Tree House Child and Family Center and Walworth County Department of Health & Human Services.

Family Fun Day at the Madison Children's Museum
2025-12-21 09:30 - 11:30 UTC | Madison Children’s Museum, 100 N Hamilton St, Madison, WI, 53703
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Join the WiFCC for a fun-filled morning at the Madison Children’s Museum. The Children’s Museum offers non-traditional learning opportunities that help kids of all ages see, touch, learn, and grow their way through important developmental milestones and have fun while learning. Our group will have a room set aside from 9:30 A.M. to 11:30 A.M with snacks and water, but your tickets will be active for the entire day. This event is open to youth and their caregivers. Please note that all children at this event need to be accompanied by a supervising adult.
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 we encourage you to consider it. We hope to create an opportunity for children to have all their loved ones in one location whenever possible and create positive memories together. Please have each household register separately.
Here is the link to the website: https://madisonchildrensmuseum.org
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.

Zootopia 2 WAUSAU Movie Night: Sponsored by Jockey Being Family & WiFCC
2025-12-22 18:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Greater Wausau Children’s Museum, 10101 Market St., Suite D70, Rothchild, WI, 54474
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Please join WiFCC for Zootopia 2 in theaters! Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families are welcome to attend.
We have the auditorium rented out exclusively for our group. Each attendee will receive a movie ticket, a fountain beverage, and popcorn.
Please Plan to arrive between 6:00pm and 6:15pm to check in and grab your drinks/snacks before the movie starts at 6:30pm.
Due to the popularity of family events, please let your local WiFCC specialist know ahead of time if there is any reason you can no longer attend or need fewer tickets than you originally signed up for. We would like to accommodate as many families as possible.
If you have any questions regarding this event or have any special accommodation requests, please contact 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.

Parent/Caregiver Coffee Meet up at The Steaming Cup: Waukesha
2026-01-06 09:00 - 11:00 UTC | The Steaming Cup, 340 W Main St, Waukesha, WI, 53186
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 The Steaming Cup in Waukesha, WI. Each registrant will receive a food or drink purchase of up to $15.
You can view their menu here: https://thesteamingcup.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.

Foster Parent and Adoptive Parent Support Group - Fond du Lac
2026-01-06 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

Adult Adoptee Meet-Up at the Mitchell Park Domes: Milwaukee
2026-01-11 11:00 - 14:00 UTC | Mitchell Park Domes, 524 South Layton Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI, 53215, United States
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Adult Adoptees, or adults who experienced out-of-home care as a youth, please join WiFCC for a warm getaway at the Mitchell Park Domes on Sunday, January 11th. We will stroll through the domes and meet for conversation from 11-2 pm. WiFCC will pay for admission and one non-alcoholic beverage on the day of this event. Each attendee will also receive a one-year membership to the Michell Park Domes!
Feel free to bring a resource or any questions you need input or advice on, if you would like.
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.

What's After High School?
2026-01-13 17:30 - 18:30 UTC | WEBINAR
An overview of the transition to adult life for youth with dissabilities and special health care needs for families with children ages 14-21, and the educators and providers who support them. Attendees will learn about the role of schools, long term-support, supported decision-making, and other legal options and community engagement. This is presented in partnership with A Place for Us.
Register

Virtual Group: Birth Parent Support
2026-01-13 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

Children's Museum of Fond du Lac WiFCC Winterizer: Fond du Lac
2026-01-14 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac, 75 W Scott St, Fond du Lac, WI, 54935
Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families, let’s beat the winter cold with our WiFCC Winterizer. We welcome you to join us at the Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac, which provides 15,000 sq. feet of indoor space full of fun and learning through play! Visit the Little Corner Market, explore the automotive tech center, blast off in the space exhibit, and so much more. This is a private event for WiFCC families and allows you access to all of the museum’s exhibits. Come hungry, as we will be providing food catered by Jimmy John’s.
One ticket is good for one person. This event would be a great opportunity to invite your child’s birth/first family or previous foster family. We understand this may not work for all family dynamics, but we encourage you to consider it. We hope to create an opportunity for children to have all their loved ones in one location whenever possible and create positive memories together. Please have each household register separately.
If you have any questions or accommodation needs, please contact Jamie Socolick 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.

An Introduction to the Children's Long-Term Support Program
2026-01-15 18:00 - 19:15 (America/Chicago) | WEBINAR
An introduction for families of young children to the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) program including steps to get the most out of CLTS. We discuss the screening process, the role of Support and Service Coordinators, and the experiences of families. This session is hosted by Nurture Network of Southeast WI Families.
Register

Family Fun Night at The Stanley-Boyd Community Indoor Pool: Stanley
2026-01-16 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | Stanley-Boyd Community Indoor Pool, 507 E 1st Ave, Stanley, WI, 54768
Join the WiFCC at the Stanley-Boyd Community Pool on Friday, January 16th. Our group has rented the pool from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Plan to arrive before 6:30 pm to make full use of the pool. The pool offers a giant indoor water obstacle course, a zero-entry wading pool with jets, and a mushroom waterfall.
This event is intended for adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families in the state of Wisconsin. To learn more about the Stanley-Boyd Community Pool, check out their website here: https://www.stanleyboyd.k12.wi.us/pool-fitness-center/index.cfm
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.

Caregiver Coffee Meet Up: Madison
2026-01-17 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

Family Fun Day at Christie Mountain: Bruce
2026-01-17 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Christie Mountain, W13755 Co Rd O, Bruce, WI, 54819
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Join WiFCC at Christie Mountain on Saturday, January 17th, from 10 am-12 pm for a fun morning of snow tubing! Your registration covers up to 5 tickets for your family. You are able to purchase additional tickets on the day of the event. The cost of each additional ticket is $25.00. There will be a liability form to be signed before anyone can snow tube.
The tubing park offers a conveyor lift to transport you easily to the top of the park. For the safety of all, everyone must ride in their own tube. Tubing is recommended to be enjoyed by ages 3+.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.
Due to the popularity of family events, please let your local WiFCC specialist know ahead of time if there is any reason you can no longer attend or need fewer tickets than you originally signed up for. We would like to accommodate as many families as possible.
This event would be a great opportunity to invite your child’s birth/first family or previous foster family. We understand this may not work for all family dynamics, but we encourage you to consider it. We hope to create an opportunity for children to have all their loved ones in one location whenever possible and create positive memories together. Please have each household register separately.
To learn more about Christie Mountain, check out their website https://www.christiemountain.com/
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.

Caregivers Afternoon Out: Woodburning in Baraboo
2026-01-18 12:00 - 14:30 UTC | Brushes & Bubbly, S2634 County Highway BD Suite 3, Baraboo, WI, 53913
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

WiFCC parents & caregivers, join us for a fun afternoon in Baraboo! Each caregiver will learn to create a wood-burning design on a cutting board! Pick your design from hundreds of options and create something unique. As a reminder, this is an adult-only event. For caregivers who need to secure childcare back home in order to attend, a $25 childcare stipend, one per family, will also be available.
If you have any questions, please contact Breanna Calko 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.

What's After High School? - Health Care Transition (4of7)
2026-01-21 17:30 - 18:30 (America/Chicago) | WEBINAR
A broad overview of the transition to adult life for youth with disabilities and special health care needs for families with children ages 14 – 21, and the educators and providers who support them. We’ll go over all the different areas of healthcare transition and how to get your young adult ready. This is presented in partnership with Waukesha County Transition Advisory Council.
Sign Up: https://forms.office.com/r/g0VigYu7ak
After you sign up, a session link will be emailed to the address you used.

Live Webinar - Building Strong Relationships: Parenting with Courage
2026-01-22 18:00 - 19:30 UTC | Champions Classrooms
Building strong relationships with our children begins with us, the caregivers. This session will explore the concept of parenting with courage and the capacity to focus on courage as a parenting skill. Through self-reflection and values-based exploration activities, caregivers will explore a parenting perspective grounded in strength and parenting without fear. This webinar is ideal for caregivers who are seeking personal growth and inspiration on their parenting journey.
About the presenter: Shanna Sullivan (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and Early Childhood Family Specialist (ECMH-E®). She is a national trainer and consultant for the Center for Adoption Support and Education. She has dedicated her career in mental health to helping kids and families impacted by traumatic separation and complex developmental trauma. In addition to her perspective as a trauma therapist and advocate for adoption competency education, Shanna also brings lived and learned experience as an adoptive parent.

Colorful Connections: Watercolor Workshop - Parent & Caregivers
2026-01-22 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Ginger Birch, 622 George St, De Pere, WI, 54115
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Join the Wisconsin Family Connections Center at Ginger Birch for an engaging evening where caregivers and parents can connect through watercolor art. This interactive workshop includes your choice of watercolor pads to take home, along with brushes and palettes. Snacks and drinks will be provided. The event is designed for foster, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and reunified caregivers.
If you have any questions, please contact Val at vzegers@cclse.org.
Cancellations for events must be made at least 72 hours in advance. If 3 or more late cancellations or no-shows occur within a six-month period, the household’s event registrations in the following six months will default to a waitlist.

WiFCC Family Bowling Day: Wausau
2026-01-24 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | Day’s Bowl-A-Dome, 1715 Stewart Ave., Wausau, WI, 54401
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite.

Please join WiFCC for a Saturday of bowling with the family! This event is intended for Wisconsin adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families. Each registrant will get two hours of bowling, shoe rental, and two slices of pizza with unlimited soft drink refills.
If you have any questions or accommodation needs, please contact 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.
