Connecting with others who share your experience can make a real difference. These groups and organizations offer community, advocacy, and a place to belong.

• Wisconsin Family Connections Center Virtual Support Group for Teens — A virtual open mic-style support group for teens connected to foster care or adoption
• FosterClub — Encouragement, information, and community for foster youth nationwide
• Foster Care Alumni of America — A national community connecting people who share the foster care experience
• Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council — A Wisconsin organization run by and for current and former youth in foster care providing education, advocacy, support, training, and awareness to address the issues on behalf of current and former foster youth in foster care
• The Mockingbird Society — A Washington-based organization committed to advocacy and system reform on behalf of youth in the child welfare system
• Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative — A national foundation helping foster youth make successful transitions to adulthood

Your feelings and experiences are valid and support is available. These resources are designed to help youth navigate identity, process complex emotions, and find affirming care.

• imi.guide — A free, research-backed mental health tool for LGBTQ+ teens to explore identity and build coping skills
• Project Q — A safe space for LGBTQ+ youth ages 24 and under through the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center
• Trans Family Support Services — A national organization serving as a guide for transgender/non-binary youth and their families through the gender transitioning process. They provide family coaching, assistance with healthcare and insurance issues, help navigating the legal system, and support at schools.
• HRC Transitioning to Adulthood Guide — Guidance for LGBTQ+ youth and their caregivers on navigating jobs, trade schools, and college
• LGBTQIA2S+ Resources — Browse WiFCC’s full collection of resources for LGBTQ+ youth and their families

Whether you’re figuring out next steps after high school or building independent living skills, these resources are here to help you move forward with confidence.

• A Guide for Youth in Out-of-Home Care Placements in Wisconsin — A DCF resource covering your rights, what to expect in care, and resources available to you
• Casey Life Skills — Free tools to help young people prepare for adulthood
• Advocates for Healthy Transitional Living — Independent living skills, behavioral support, and career skills-building for youth with serious mental health or behavioral challenges
• The Wisconsin Challenge Academy — An alternative education program designed to help at-risk youth build the values, skills, and self-discipline to succeed as adults

Higher education is possible, and there’s funding out there to help. These resources are specifically for youth who are or were in foster care, kinship care, or adoptive placements.

• Brighter Star (Wisconsin ETV Program) — Wisconsin’s Education and Training Voucher program for eligible youth pursuing college or career training after high school
• Wisconsin DCFS Scholarship — Scholarships of up to $5,000 for youth who have been in out-of-home care and are entering a degree, license, or certificate program
• The Fostering Success Program — Individualized support, scholarships, housing assistance, and school supplies for youth with out-of-home care experience at several UW system universities
• Foster Care to Success — Scholarships for foster and former foster youth pursuing education beyond high school
• Campus Guardians of Wisconsin — A Jefferson County-based organization established to support and encourage the educational pursuits of foster children who have aged out of the foster care system and are pursuing higher education
• National Foster Parent Association Scholarship — Scholarships available to foster, adopted, and biological youth of currently licensed foster parents who are NFPA members
• Fastweb and Scholarships.com — Additional resources and lists of scholarships to help students of all ages and backgrounds find scholarships and other financial aid
• The Fostering Success Program — A Wisconsin state-funded program providing individualized guidance resources for youth with any out-of-home experience
• Wisconsin Students Go 2 College — Wisconsin’s American College Application Campaign assisting with college applications, FSA IDs and FAFSA completion
• Federal Student Aid — FAFSA Tips for Unique Situations — Guidance from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators(NASFAA) for foster youth, wards of the court, and others navigating tricky FAFSA questions

Every senior deserves to mark this milestone. WiFCC’s Senior Picture Program pairs graduating youth in or from out-of-home care with volunteer professional photographers — at no cost.

Who qualifies? Youth who are currently in an out-of-home care placement, or who previously spent time in an out-of-home care placement, and who are scheduled to graduate from high school.

How to participate:

1. Complete the Senior Picture Program Application Form.
2. Send the completed form to our team.
3. Upon receipt, we will identify a volunteer photographer in the youth’s county of residence. If no photographer is available locally, we’ll follow up to explore whether travel to a neighboring county is an option.
4. We’ll provide the worker or foster parent with the photographer’s contact information.
5. The worker, foster parent, or other designated adult is responsible for contacting the photographer to schedule the session. We encourage you to review our Guide Sheet for Caregivers before reaching out.
6. Before the session, the designated adult should discuss with the photographer what they are willing to donate, for example, the session only with digital files, or session plus prints. It’s important to clarify how the youth’s school will receive a copy of the photo.
7. The designated adult must remain with the youth throughout the entire photography appointment.
8. Whenever possible, we encourage the youth to send a thank you note to their photographer.

Connecting with other adoptees can be grounding, validating, and healing. You don’t have to process this alone.

• Wisconsin Family Connections Center Virtual Support Group: Adult Adoptees — A virtual peer support group specifically for adult adoptees in Wisconsin

Finding a therapist who understands the adoptee experience can make a meaningful difference. These directories and resources can help.

• Wisconsin Adoptee Therapist Directory — Find a Wisconsin-based therapist with specific experience supporting adoptees

Sometimes the right book helps you feel understood in a way nothing else can. These titles come recommended by adult adoptees.

• Adoption Unfiltered: Revelations from Adoptees, Birth Parents, Adoptive Parents, and Allies
• Let Us Be Greater: A Gentle, Guided Path to Healing for Adoptees
• Adoption is Both (children’s book)

WiFCC hosts a Virtual Support Group for Teens and a Virtual Support Group for Adult Adoptees. Organizations like FosterClub and the Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council also offer community and connection for young people connected to foster care.

The Wisconsin Adoptee Therapist Directory helps adult adoptees find therapists with specific experience supporting the adoptee experience. WiFCC’s Resource Team can also connect you with additional mental health referrals and support based on your situation.

Yes, there are several scholarship opportunities specifically for youth in or from foster care. Wisconsin-specific options include the Brighter Star ETV Program, the Wisconsin DCFS Scholarship (up to $5,000), and the Fostering Success Program at several UW campuses. National options include Foster Care to Success and the NFPA Scholarship.

LGBTQ+ youth can access affirming resources including imi.guide, a free mental health tool for LGBTQ+ teens, Project Q through the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, and Trans Family Support Services for transgender and nonbinary youth. Browse the full LGBTQIA2S+ Resources page for more.

WiFCC’s Senior Picture Program connects graduating youth who are in or from out-of-home care with volunteer professional photographers at no cost. Youth qualify if they are currently in or have previously spent time in an out-of-home care placement and are scheduled to graduate from high school. Learn how to apply above or contact our team with questions.