Wisconsin Family Connections Center

Foster Parent and Adoptive Parent Support Group - Fond du Lac
2027-02-02 18:00 - 19:00, 2027-01-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-12-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-11-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-10-06 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-07-07 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

BirthmomsConnect Virtual Support Group
2026-12-31 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-10-29 20:00 - 21:00, 2026-07-30 20:00 - 21:00 UTC | Zoom
Our BirthmomsConnect support calls are held via Zoom and available to anyone who has given birth to a child, anywhere, no matter their affiliation with On Your Feet Foundation or when they placed. The only requirements to participate are as follows:

You gave birth to and placed a child for adoption, and your placement is final.
You agree to be respectful at all times.
What is said in the group remains in the group.

To participate, please download the Zoom app. Registration is required to join the calls.
Please note: BirthmomsConnect Calls are open to anyone who has given birth to and placed a child for adoption. If you are an adoption professional, social worker, birthfather, or other individual who is interested in learning more about our virtual support groups, please contact Jennifer Adams. Do not register for the calls. This is a safe space and we ask you to be respectful of that.
If you are a birthparent of color, LGBTQIA+ individual, birthfather, or birth family member and are interested in a support call specifically for individuals who share your story and experience, please let us know by sending an email to Jennifer Adams.

On Your Feet Foundation is committed to fostering a community that celebrates the uniquely individual experiences that have brought each of us to adoption. We strive to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive space in order to create a culture of safety and belonging for all of our stakeholders, one in which each voice is valued and heard.
Unmoderated/Drop-in Calls :: Thursdays* 8PM CST | 9PM EST | 6PM PST
The 1st, 3rd, 4th (and in months that have one, 5th) Thursday of each month are drop-in-calls, meaning that there is no specific topic being discussed and it is an opportunity for birthparents to connect and talk. Please remember to listen and be respectful of one another. This call may be moderated by an On Your Feet staff member and any concerns will be brought to the attention of Case Management staff.
*Please note there will not be a drop-in call on Halloween (October 31st) or Thanksgiving (November 28th).

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-12-17 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.
As a reminder this is for Wisconsin Residents who are relative caregivers of children.

WiFCC Moms Night Out - Holiday Season Kick-Off: Appleton
2026-11-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape, 2600 N Casaloma Dr., Appleton, WI, 54913
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale September 12 @6pm)

Come Kick off the Holiday Season with a Moms Night Out! Foster, pre-adoptive, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, or reunified moms are welcome to come and relax while connecting with other moms touched by adoption or out-of-home care.
Learn how to decorate your own set of Christmas themed cookies with The Floured Whisk! You will be provided with 6 cookies, all the supplies to decorate, a box to take the cookie 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.
*We are prioritizing registration for this event to first time attendees for this event since Floured Whisk! was previously a event with us earlier this year.
You can be added to the Waitlist Ticket option and will be contacted directly should a spot become available.
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.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-11-19 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.

December 17

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

Virtual Group: Trauma Informed Parenting
2026-11-16 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-10-19 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-09-21 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-08-17 12:00 - 13:00, 2026-07-20 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.

Save the Date - Children Come First Conference
2026-11-16 08:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Kalahari Resort, 1305 Kalahari Dr, Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965
📅 November 16–17, 2026
📍 Kalahari Resorts and Conventions | Wisconsin Dells
Join hundreds of passionate professionals, caregivers, youth advocates, and community leaders from across the state and beyond for two energizing days of learning, connection, and inspiration.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-10-22 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.

November 19
December 17

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

WFAPA's Foster & Adoptive Parent Conference
2026-10-09 - 2026-10-11 | Holiday Inn Rothschild, 1000 Imperial Ave., Rothschild, WI, 54474
If you have been touched by adoption or foster care, you’ll want to attend this conference! Our conference offers a fantastic chance to discover the most recent state updates and to learn about the activities of WFAPA. It is specifically designed to equip and empower parents, caregivers and workers, enhancing their capacity to tackle the challenges associated with fostering and adoption.

Participants will have the chance to reflect on their current perspectives and discover new care strategies. Additionally, they will be able to connect with like-minded individuals from various backgrounds in child protection and out-of-home care.

It is specifically designed to equip and empower caregivers and workers, enhancing their capacity to tackle the challenges associated with fostering and adoption.
Register

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-09-17 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.

October 22
November 19
December 17

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

End of Summer at The Ball Park: Appleton - Sponsored by Jockey Being Family
2026-08-23 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Fox Cities Stadium, 2400 North Casaloma Drive, Appleton, WI, 54913
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (starts June 1, 2026 @6pm)

Attention adoptive, foster, guardianship & relative/kinship families! It’s an end-of-summer day at the ballpark! Jockey Being Family and the WiFCC is sponsoring an event for your families at Fox Cities Stadium for a Timber Rattlers game! We have reserved three loft suites for our families! Included in the experience will be an all-you-can-eat buffet starting 90 minutes before game time and a ticket to the Kids Zone. Each attendee receives a ticket to the game, access to the all-you-can-eat buffet and three non-alcoholic beverages per person.
You do NOT need to register for a child that is two years old and younger if they do not occupy a seat. They will not need a ticket, so you DO NOT need to include them in your number of attendees. In order to make attendance possible for the greatest number of families, each family can reserve up to 6 tickets.
*Digital Game Tickets and parking passes will be sent to you via email the week prior to the game.
If you have any questions regarding this event, 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.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-08-20 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.

September 17
October 22
November 19
December 17

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

WiFCC Mom's Summer Night Out - Floral Workshop: De Pere
2026-08-18 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Ginger Birch, 622 George St, De Pere, WI, 54115
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale June 1 @6pm)

If you are a foster, pre-adoptive, adoptive, guardianship, kinship, or reunified mom, join WiFCC for a fun and creative evening where we join Angie at Ginger Birch to create a beautiful late summer floral arrangement. We’ll learn the basics of fresh floral care & design principles all while having fun!
Each participant will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of flowers to work with and a vessel to go home with.
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.

Family Photo Mini Sessions with Amy E Photography: Rice Lake
2026-08-14 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Rice Lake Main Street, 37 S Main St., Rice Lake, WI, 54868
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale July 10, 2026)

Wisconsin Family Connections Center invites adoptive, foster, guardianship, relative/kinship, and/or reunified families to participate in an opportunity for a mini family photo session in Rice Lake. Each family will have a 15-minute mini session with a professional photographer.
If you have had a photoshoot with WiFCC in the past 2 years, we please ask you to withhold registering for this event to let families who have not had the opportunity to have family photos taken register. We appreciate your understanding.
Registrants will receive further information about arrival details and the exact location closer to the date of the photoshoot.
Please note: As these sessions are very time-limited, we will follow the guidelines below:
-Each family must register for only one session.
-We will not be able to accommodate pets at these photo shoots.
-Registrants not arriving by their assigned session start time will forfeit their session.
Photography for these sessions is being provided by Amy E Photography.
https://amyephotography.org/
Due to 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 or concerns, please reach out 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.

Virtual Group: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
2026-07-23 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.

August 20
September 17
October 22
November 19
December 17

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

WiFCC Midsummer Movie Night - Minion 3: Appleton
2026-07-13 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Marcus Valley Grand Cinema, W3091 Van Roy Rd, Appleton, WI, 54915
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale May 11 @6pm)

Please join WiFCC for a Midsummer Movie Night for Minions 3 in theaters! Adoptive, foster, guardianship, kinship, and reunified families are welcome to attend. Each family can have up to 8 people from their household attend this event.
We have the auditorium rented out 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 5:00pm and 5:20pm 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 have any special accommodation requests, 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.

Family Fun Night at Wakanda Waterpark - Spon. by JBF: Menomonie
2026-06-29 19:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Wakanda Waterpark, 909 Pine Avenue East, Menomonie, WI, 54751
Registration for this event is required on Eventbrite. (on sale May 22, 2026 @6pm)

Join WiFCC at Wakanda Waterpark sponsored by Jockey Being Family on Monday, June 29th starting at 7:00pm. The pool will be exclusively rented for our group between 7:00pm and 9:00pm.
The pool is friendly for all ages and features slides, diving boards, and a playground. Please note, guests must be 48 inches tall and able to swim in order to participate in slides and diving boards. To learn more about Wakanda Waterpark, check out their website here: https://www.menomonie-wi.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Wakanda-Waterpark-14
This event is intended for adoption, foster, guardianship, relative caregiver, and reunified families.
Due to 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.
This event is limited to Wisconsin residents impacted by adoption or out-of-home care and their immediate household.
