Wisconsin Foster & Adoptive
Parent Association, Inc.
Resources for Foster and Adoptive Families
Explore Our Resources
WFAPA is continually working to share helpful information and connect families with resources that make a difference.
Whether you are looking for answers, searching for support, or simply hoping to learn something new, we invite you to explore the resources available on our website.
The right information can open doors, strengthen families, and remind us that none of us has to do this alone.
Important Disclaimer
The information and resources provided on this website are intended for educational and informational purposes only. They are not intended to replace legal advice, professional guidance, or recommendations from qualified providers. WFAPA does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or availability of information provided by external organizations. Please consult an appropriate qualified professional for guidance specific to your circumstances.
We're Here to Help
At WFAPA, we believe that when caregivers are supported, children benefit.
Together, we can build stronger connections, increase awareness, and help foster and adoptive families throughout Wisconsin find the information and encouragement they need.
WFAPA — Supporting the families who care for Wisconsin's children.
Resource List
Support and Advocacy Resources
Adoption Network
To improve the life of a child. To help women find courage in choosing adoption and seeking the best life she can for her baby. To fulfill the dreams of Adoptive Parents and to build families. For Adoptive Parents looking to adopt a baby, Adoption Network Law Center is different from an adoption agency, as we include the protection and peace of mind of reputable legal services.
The Annie E. Casey Foundation (AECF)
In tribute to his mother, Annie E. Casey — a widow who raised four children — Jim Casey has created an enduring legacy of service to children and families in America. AECF is a U.S.-based private philanthropy dedicated to improving outcomes for children, families, and communities through research, advocacy, and evidence-based programs.
AECF focuses on creating a brighter future for children and young people by strengthening families, building resilient communities, and ensuring access to opportunity aecf.org+1. Its work addresses educational, economic, social, and health outcomes, particularly for children at risk of poor development or disconnection from family and community support aecf.org+1. The foundation advances research, supports community solutions, and influences policymakers to invest in strategies backed by solid evidence
Be the Magic
Be the Magic is a nonprofit with a focus on helping young women aging out of the foster care system to better themselves while bettering the community they live in. Our living facility is a safe place to call home while embarking on a journey into life-changing programs, hosting community events, and make lasting connections that encompass what it is to be a healthy woman: mind, body and soul.
CHAMPS - A campaign to ensure bright futures for kids In foster care.
CHAMPS is a national campaign to spur policy improvements nationally and in states to ensure children and youth in foster care experience the highest quality parenting. CHAMPS is led by a coalition of partners of researchers, advocates, pediatricians, faith-based leaders, foster parents, youth, service providers and others. CHAMPS offers a policy playbook and related tools to help improve efforts to recruit, retain and support stable foster parenting.
The Children’s Bureau (CB)
CB is an agency within the Administration for Children and Families, which is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We seek to improve the safety, permanency, and well-being of children through leadership, support for necessary services, and productive partnerships with states, tribes, and communities. CB provides leadership in addressing and preventing child abuse and neglect.
CB is headed by an Associate Commissioner who advises the Commissioner of the Administration on Children, Youth and Families on matters related to the administration of state and tribal child welfare systems, including child abuse and neglect, child protective services, family preservation and support, adoption, foster care, independent living, and child abuse and neglect prevention. CB is composed of 8 divisions and teams, including a set of 10 regional offices. These groups work to support our mission through various activities that promote safe and stable families.
Programs
The agency has the primary responsibility for administering federal programs that support state child welfare services. Additionally, CB provides matching federal funds to states, tribes, and communities to help them operate every aspect of their child welfare systems, including the prevention of child abuse and neglect, the support of permanent placements through adoption and subsidized guardianship, and the information systems necessary to support these programs.
Coalition for Children, Youth & Families
When families navigate child welfare and adoption, they face a complex system that often leaves them feeling isolated and overwhelmed. The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families provides the guidance, resources, and connections they need to move forward with confidence.
Families Rising
Families Rising guides, connects, and empowers individuals, professionals, and families on their journey through adoption, foster care, and kinship care.
What We Do
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Educate: We provide comprehensive resources for insights on adoption, foster care, and kinship care. Get help with adoption assistance, the US adoption tax credit, adoption practice enhancements, or get customized training for your family or agency’s needs.
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Support: We’re here to support you on your adoption journey. Families Rising connects adoptive parents with support groups and more support systems in your area. In Minnesota, we proudly operate Families Rising MN.
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Advocate: We create positive changes for children and families. We guide those who want to be advocates, build networks for effective advocacy, and continuously champion crucial reforms in child welfare.
Family Works Programs, Inc.
Family Works Programs, Inc. is a child-placing agency. Specifically, we provide treatment foster care services throughout the state of Wisconsin to children and youth with complex treatment needs. We recruit, license, train and support compassionate foster parents to care for children in the foster family’s home. Social work staff provide support to the child and their foster family through frequent visits to the home, treatment team collaboration and individualized treatment planning.
GIFTS Short-Term Case Management Services for Adoptive, Guardianship, and Reunified Families in Wisconsin
Parenting a child who has experienced foster care, adoption, or family reunification comes with unique challenges. At the Wisconsin Family Connections Center (WiFCC), we understand that sometimes you need more than just information – you need personalized guidance and support to help your family thrive.
Our GIFTS Program (Giving Incredible Families Tools for Success) provides free, voluntary short-term case management services specifically designed for Wisconsin families like yours.
What Is Short-Term Case Management?
Short-term (up to 6 months) case management is professional, individualized support that helps connect your family to the right resources and services. Unlike ongoing therapy or counseling, our case management focuses on practical solutions and parent coaching to address your family’s immediate needs.
Grandfamilies
Grandfamilies.org is a national resource in support of grandfamilies within and outside the child welfare system. Established in 2007, this interactive website seeks to share all relevant publicly available information impacting grandfamilies with a broad audience that includes caregivers, policymakers, researchers, advocates, and attorneys. The site features federal and state laws and policies, national reports and data, tools to create a kin-first culture, and resources for caregivers.
Heart to Heart Adoptions
Heart to Heart Adoptions is a 501c3 Not-for-Profit, full service adoption agency who understands the unique needs of families across the country and across all races and ethnicities.non-profit child placing agency that provides adoption services through the United States. We work with prospective adoptive families and birth mothers across the nation.
International Foster Care Organization (IFCO)
WHAT WE DO
ACT- IFCO acts to promote quality lives for children and young people in family based care
SUPPORT- IFCO works to support foster and kinship carers
INFLUENCE- IFCO seeks to influence policy on foster and kinship care
WHO WE SERVE
Foster and kinship carers- Understand the role of foster and kinship carers.
Children and young people- Learn about the rights of children and young people in care. Find out about Pat Whelan fund support for young people at IFCO conferences.
Professionals- Find information relevant for those working in the field of foster and kinship care.
Foster care around the world- Explore the practice of foster care in different countries.
Kids Matter Inc.
The mission of Kids Matter Inc. is to help abused and neglected children heal and thrive, to bring volunteer energy and community support to foster and kinship children, and to apply lessons learned from helping children heal to preventing further child abuse.
We are here to help all of the relatives, siblings, friends and neighbors who want to keep children safe. We are here for community members who see children impacted by abuse, neglect, violent crime and addiction and need help navigating child protection, criminal reporting or just figuring out how to get help.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
NCMEC is the nation’s largest and most influential child protection organization and is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation whose mission is to help find missing children, reduce child sexual exploitation, and prevent child victimization. NCMEC works with families, victims, private industry, law enforcement, and the public to assist with preventing child abductions, recovering missing children, and providing services to deter and combat child sexual exploitation.
National Foster Parent Association
The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) is dedicated to strengthening foster, kinship, and adoptive families through education, advocacy, and meaningful connections.
Through trauma-informed education, nationally recognized caregiver training, advocacy initiatives, conferences, webinars, and practical online resources, NFPA equips families with the knowledge and confidence to navigate the challenges and rewards of caregiving.
Members also gain access to a supportive national community committed to sharing experiences, promoting best practices, and advancing policies that improve outcomes for children and families.
From everyday parenting tools to legislative advocacy and professional development, the National Foster Parent Association is committed to empowering caregivers, strengthening families, and creating brighter futures for children across the United States.
National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA)
For decades, NICWA has fought for Native children and families, shaping child welfare policies and practices to better serve the unique needs of Native communities.
Our work aims to ensure child welfare policies account for community strengths and culturally responsive services. We are committed to strengthening ICWA protections, promoting natural nurturing networks, and supporting the vital role Tribal communities play in protecting Native children.
Our approach integrates advocacy, education, policy, and community development, empowering us to respond to both immediate and evolving needs while building a vibrant future where each generation nurtures the next.
Native Wellness Institute
The Native Wellness Institute recognizes the profound impacts of historical trauma and oppression on our people. We understand that historic trauma has led to present-day trauma in our families and communities. This is evident in the high rates of substance abuse, violence, gossip, negativity, poverty, and other destructive behaviors and conditions.
As Native people, we have the strength and resilience to move beyond and forward from the painful past, utilizing what our ancestors left us—prayer, faith, songs, dances, ceremony, language, and the perseverance to leave a positive legacy for future generations.
The Native Wellness Institute exists to help create an awareness of the origins of our negative behavior, provide opportunities for growth and healing, and most importantly, to help our people move forward in a good way. We do this by providing training and technical assistance rooted in Native culture that promotes the well-being of individuals, families, communities, and workplaces.
VIRTUAL GROUP: KINnect Relative Caregivers of Children
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.
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June 18
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July 23
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August 20
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September 17
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October 22
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November 19
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December 17
As a reminder this is for Wisconsin Residents who are relative caregivers of children.
Wisconsin Family Connections Center
The Wisconsin Family Connections Center (WiFCC) is funded by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. The WiFCC provides support and services to parents and caregivers across the continuum of kinship care, foster care, and post-permanency, including reunification, guardianship, and adoption. The WiFCC also serves as an excellent resource for professionals serving these families and caregivers.
Virtual Groups, Adult Adoptee Events, & Other Events happening in and surrounding areas of Green Bay, LaCrosse, Madison, Milwaukee, Rice Lake, Wausau, Wisconsin Dells, and other areas of Wisconsin.
WFAPA'S FASSP & SAAN PROGRAMS
Foster and Adoptive Support and Preservation Program and Surviving Allegations of Abuse and Neglect
Through our Foster and Adoptive Support Program (FASPP) and Support and Advocacy for Adoption Network (SAAN), we connect families with peer-driven support, information, and resources during some of the most challenging moments of their journey.
As experienced foster and adoptive parents, our volunteers understand the complexities, challenges, and triumphs that can accompany each family's unique journey. They are committed to listening without judgment, sharing information, and helping families explore available resources.
SAAN is here to provide information, peer support, and understanding throughout the investigation process. Our goal is to help families better understand what to expect, connect with someone who will listen, and access resources that may help them through a difficult time.
You don't have to face the difficult moments alone. We're here to listen and help.
EVERYTHING I NEED TO KNOW BUT DID NOT EVER WANT TO KNOW...
Education and Family Resources
Training materials, conference information, educational resources, family activities, and helpful links for parents and professionals.
25 Best Christian Adoption and Foster Care Blogs & Websites in 2026
The best Christian Adoption & Foster Care blogs curated and ranked based on multiple factors, including content relevancy, subject expertise, posting frequency, and freshness of content. Blogs with highest credibility within the Christian Adoption & Foster Care space are ranked higher. This list is updated regularly to ensure it reflects the most active, influential, and valuable Christian Adoption & Foster Care blogs on the internet today.
Adoption & Foster Care Blog- My Personal Eperiences
Just as each of our children are unique, each of our adoptions have been completely different. We have a deep respect for our children’s birth mothers and always want our children to know of the great love their first families have for them.
Over twenty five years of marriage, my husband and I have welcomed twenty foster children into our home. Although it has been very difficult to say goodbye to our foster children when they leave- whether they’ve been in our care for just a week or for several months- we will always hold a special place for each of them in our hearts.
Although I realize that adoption and foster care may not be the right paths for everyone, I would strongly encourage those who have felt a desire to foster or adopt to open their hearts and minds to the possibilities!
Anu Family Services
Our mission is to empower individuals, children, and families to heal from the effects of trauma and strengthen their supportive connections. Since 1992, we have been a non-profit child welfare agency serving children, youth, and families throughout Wisconsin. Our goal is to preserve and strengthen families by offering a comprehensive range of mental health and case management services. We provide Treatment Foster Care, Parent Coaching, Youth Coaching, and Individualized Trauma Services.
Autism Connect
Our goal is to help the millions of parents whose children are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder to build a better life for their children. We want to empower them by providing them easy access to a community of parents, professionals, resources and treatment options. Armed with this knowledge, parents can make effective choices that propel their children in the right direction.
Children’s Resource Center-North
Children’s Resource Center-North is a resource for families and professionals who support children who have any type of disability, delay, special health care need including mental and behavioral health. This includes families who are seeking help receiving a diagnosis.
We are one of 5 Resource Centers (map on back) in the state funded by DHS as part of Wisconsin Wayfinder. Our main role is to field questions from families and professionals about services in Wisconsin and know what is available locally. We have the time to dig into resources or find more information for families
Children's Wisconsin
We take a multi-faceted approach to reaching Wisconsin's children in the communities where they live, learn, and play – whether that be through child advocacy, child and family counseling, foster care and adoption services, better access to primary care, or initiatives focused on family support and preservation.
DCF 56 FOSTER HOME LICENSING
Jessica Nehmer and Brittany Shellenberger Presentation from WFAPA's Fall Conference in October 2026.
County grievance and DCF complaint process along with contact information for the DCF complaint section
Dana Johnson & Emily Erickson's PDF Presentation from WFAPA's Fall Conference in September 2024.
"English/Spanish Glossary of Terms
Glosario de términos – inglés/español"
FosterParentCollege.com created this “living glossary” for our Spanish translations, building upon the glossary created by the Child Welfare Information Gateway titled "Child Welfare Terms: English to Spanish." By making our glossary public, we hope others in the field will also apply these common terms in their work.
We wish to credit the hard work of our translator, Omar Canals, and our reviewers Lorena Avitea, LCSW, Eufe de la Torre, MFT, Arturo Zinny, LPC, MA, and all others who have helped us with this project.
Eric Szatkowski: "The Dark Side of Cyberspace: the Internet, Smart Phones, and Social Media"
During our October 2026 Foster & Adoptive Parents Conference, guest speaker Eric Szatkowski delivered an insightful presentation on the cyber exploitation of children, exploring how factors such as addictive social media, lax regulations, artificial intelligence, and influences contribute to this issue. While digital technology provides a vast array of communication, educational, and entertainment opportunities for all ages, it also poses significant risks that families and caregivers need to recognize. Below are the informational handouts from his presentation, which he has kindly allowed us to share on our website.
Suggested Websites for Internet Safety Monitoring Education PDF
Cyberbullying Statistics (including sexual exploitation) 2026 PDF
Impact of Pornography Consumption on Adolescence and Children PDF
When the Image Is Fake but the Harm Is Real: Children’s Rights in the Age of AIGenerated Sexual Exploitation PDF This is an American Bar Association article on AI and the challenges it poses for parents, kids, and law enforcement.
Jeff Noble (FASD- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders)
Jeff Noble is the Founder and CEO of Noble Initiatives Inc, an organization that provides hope and education to people caring for someone living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) through online applications and in-person training sessions, demonstrations and consultations. Jeff delivers relevant, useful and need-to-know information to help and support front line workers, educators and caregivers of those living with FASD.
Jeff has developed Caregiver Kick Start!, an online coaching program that offers education and support to FASD caregivers through live coaching calls with leading FASD experts. Jeff’s program provides caregivers from all over the world an opportunity to connect and share stories, strategies and support.
Moderator of a Facebook Fan Page that is followed by over 4,400 fans where he spreads awareness, tips and FASD insight. Featured expert for the Minnesota Organization on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (MOFAS) Virtual Family Centre (VFC). The Virtual Family Centre is an online community for caregivers by caregivers.
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Foster Care & Adoptive Community (FCAC)
Home to the #1 Online Training Program related to working with at risk children. FCAC Online Training offers 149 courses with new topics added continuously. Complete mandated training hours from the comfort of your home. Training online offers flexible hours.....train around your schedule. No need for baby sitters. Courses are developed by professionals with extensive experience, and most hold a Masters or Ph.D.
Foster Care Transition Toolkit
The passage to adulthood is challenging for anyone, but for youth in foster care, it can be especially lonesome, confusing, and uncertain. The Department of Education released a toolkit to help youth in our nation's foster care system and those who work to support them.
The Foster Parent Handbook
Wisconsin’s official Foster Parent Handbook is published by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF), with the most recent edition dated November 2025 (DCF‑P‑5000). It provides statewide rules, expectations, procedures, and resources for foster parents, including licensing, daily care, payments, medication management, and family connections.
The Wisconsin Foster Parent Handbook is designed to guide both new and experienced foster parents. It explains:
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How foster care works in Wisconsin
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Roles and expectations of foster parents
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Placement processes and child adjustment
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Behavior management and daily care
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Medication rules
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Family connections and shared parenting
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Self‑care and support resources
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Relevant state and federal laws
How To Create an Autism-Friendly Playroom
While this article can be a great blueprint to help you get started designing your child’s playroom, every child is unique. You should create a playroom based around what your child prefers and enjoys above all else so that it truly does become their sanctuary. Think about your child’s current needs and preferences, but also how their space might grow with them.
Journeys Program- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse
The Journeys program offers supportive services covering a wide continuum of needs for individuals and families in Wisconsin who have been impacted by adoption, foster care, kinship care, or guardianship. This includes adult adoptees, reunified family members, birth/first family members, and the professionals who serve all of these populations.
Judicial Checklist – Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act
A form for judges who are hearing Indian Child Custody Proceedings. The Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act (WICWA) codifies the federal Indian Child Welfare Act into state statutes. WICWA protects the best interests of Indian children while promoting stability and security of Indian tribes and families. WICWA applies to out-of-home placements in CHIPS, status offenses in JIPS, and guardianship cases, TPR proceedings, and pre-adoptive and adoptive placements. WICWA does not apply to placements based on delinquent acts or family court proceedings when one of the parents has custody.
Juvenile – Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
A list of WICWA Circuit Court Forms
LearnEasy24
LearnEasy24 gives you the opportunity to interact with experienced and knowledgeable tutors that care about you as a student. That’s why we offer you an interactive learning with an experienced instructor who wants you, as a student, to succeed in learning a second language or an academic subject.
MoneyGeek
Access actionable tools, guides and analyses tailored to empower you to make informed decisions and achieve financial happiness. Making informed financial decisions doesn't require hiring an expensive advisor or spending hours researching conflicting information. MoneyGeek's collection of calculators, guides, and data-driven analyses puts proven tools directly in your hands.
Whether you're planning for retirement, comparing insurance coverage, evaluating loan options, or understanding how your money works in different cities across America, you'll find resources built to answer your specific questions with personalized estimates.
Start with a calculator to get personalized estimates for your situation. Dive into an analysis to understand broader trends affecting your finances. Use guides to deepen your understanding. We've organized these resources to be easy to navigate and immediately useful.
National Directory of Adoption Competent Professionals
We are pleased to share the National Directory of Adoption Competent Professionals, which offers access to hundreds of mental health therapists nationwide with formal training in adoption competence. The therapists listed in this Directory have completed training in either or both of the C.A.S.E. training programs described below. Explore our national database to find therapists in your area trained in adoption competence.
Navigating College with Disabilities: An Essential Guide
Embarking on the journey of higher education is an important milestone, filled with anticipation, challenges, and opportunities. For students with disabilities, this journey also involves navigating a unique set of considerations – from understanding legal rights to accessing appropriate accommodations and resources. This guide is designed to be your comprehensive companion throughout this journey.
In this guide, we delve into the essential aspects of college life for students with disabilities. Accessibility doesn't just stop at physical or digital adaptations; it extends into inclusive campus life, support networks, and health and wellness
The Neuroanatomical Transformation of the Teenage Brain
The Neuroanatomical Transformation of the Teenage Brain: Jill Bolte Taylor at TEDxYouth@Indianapolis
Our brain is made up of cells and every ability we have is the product of those cells. What is going on during our teenage years that accounts for the way teenagers feel, think and behave? This presentation will focus on the neurological transformation of the brain that occurs during the teenage years.
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations)
Strength-Based Child Welfare Words and Expressions
The words and expressions used in child welfare are often passed down from one generation of staff to another and thus are also commonly used by families and children. To continue the focus on strengths, the following historical words and expressions have been reframed to convey a more positive approach. PDF provided by Foster Parent College.
The Administration for Children & Families (ACF)
The Administration for Children & Families (ACF) promotes the economic and social well-being of families, children, youth, individuals and communities through funding, strategic partnerships, guidance, training and technical assistance.
Trauma-Centered Books By Allison Romens
At the heart of Allison’s story is her role as a mother. She is the proud parent of five children, four of whom are adopted through foster care, each with unique special needs. Her family journey has been shaped by more than twenty foster placements, giving her over a decade of hands-on, lived experience navigating trauma, attachment, and healing. This depth of understanding informs everything she creates, offering insight that resonates with both caregivers and professionals.
Allison is an active voice within foster and adoptive mental health communities, where she advocates for trauma-informed care and awareness. Through her writing and speaking, she provides practical tools and emotional validation for families walking similar paths. Her children’s book series—including Sketchbook Brain, Dollhouse Brain, Baby Doll Brain, and Twirl Brain—translates complex neurological and emotional concepts into accessible, child-friendly stories that empower kids to better understand themselves.
Driven by both personal experience and professional insight, Allison Romens continues to inspire others by blending storytelling, education, and advocacy—helping children and families feel seen, supported, and understood.
The Ultimate Guide to Designing the Perfect Playroom in 2023
While this article can be a great blueprint to help you get started designing your child’s playroom, every child is unique. You should create a playroom based around what your child prefers and enjoys above all else so that it truly does become their sanctuary. Think about your child’s current needs and preferences, but also how their space might grow with them.
Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System
The goal of our organization is relatively simple: to support the knowledge and skill development of child welfare professionals (workers, supervisors, directors, and providers) and caregivers (foster parents, adoptive parents, guardians, and congregate care providers). We do this by providing innovative, research-based, learner centered, and culturally responsible learning opportunities to those who promote the safety and well-being of children, youth, and families. We strive to promote the best child welfare and out-of-home care practice through education, skill development, strategic partnerships, and effective advocacy. Our role is to support you in being the very best professional you can be.
Wisconsin Children’s Court Improvement Program’s
E-Learning Activity - Webinar
The Children’s Court Improvement Program (CCIP) is a federal grant awarded to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Director of State Courts Office to enhance the processing of child welfare cases in the court system. The CCIP E-Learning Project is one of several activities supported by CCIP funding.
The materials and learning activities provided on this website should not be construed as legal advice and are meant for informational purposes only. Please use Microsoft Edge, Chrome, or Firefox browsers to view the learning activities. Internet Explorer is no longer supported by Microsoft.
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) provides or oversees county administration of programs to assist children and families. Those include assistance for children in need of protection or services, adoption and foster care services, the licensing of facilities that provide out-of-home care for children, background investigations of child caregivers, child abuse and neglect investigations, and community-based juvenile justice services.
DCF also administers the Wisconsin Works (W-2) public assistance program, including the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program, the YoungStar child care quality improvement program, the child support enforcement and paternity establishment program, and programs related to the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) income support program. The department works to ensure that families have access to high quality and affordable early childhood care and education and administers the licensing and regulation of child care centers. The Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board is administratively attached to the Department of Children and Families.
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) provides or oversees county administration of programs to assist children and families. Those include assistance for children in need of protection or services, adoption and foster care services, the licensing of facilities that provide out-of-home care for children, background investigations of child caregivers, child abuse and neglect investigations, and community-based juvenile justice services.
DCF also administers the Wisconsin Works (W-2) public assistance program, including the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program, the YoungStar child care quality improvement program, the child support enforcement and paternity establishment program, and programs related to the federal Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) income support program. The department works to ensure that families have access to high quality and affordable early childhood care and education and administers the licensing and regulation of child care centers. The Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board is administratively attached to the Department of Children and Families.