Welcome To Wisconsin Family Ties
Changing Lives by Improving Children’s Mental Health
Wisconsin Family Ties believes that all children deserve educational opportunities that foster success, service systems that are equipped to detect and effectively treat mental health issues, and communities that recognize and plan for their needs.
Above all, we believe that children belong at home and that parents are the experts on their own child’s needs. They should be respected collaborators in the conversation related to the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the services in which their child is involved. Parents don’t have to be perfect, but they do deserve judgment-free acknowledgement of their strengths and support to meet their self-identified needs.
Wisconsin Family Ties believes that all people are capable of, and desire, growth and improvement. We walk beside families to provide emotional support while helping them to navigate the complex service and treatment systems with which they are involved.
Upcoming Training Webinars
Creating Welcoming Communities: Fair Housing Rights for Children with Disabilities
Wednesday, May 17, 12:00 PM Central Time
Fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on disability, including disabilities of children, and yet this type of discrimination is common. This presentation will describe forms of housing discrimination faced by families, how families may seek reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing situations, and how fair housing laws can be enforced.
Presenter, Erika Sanders, Director – Program Operations Director Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council for over 25 years. Erika is known for her program development and community outreach. Erika is a strong advocate for fair housing for all, including those who have themselves or children with disabilities.
Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nX53exOIRdymbfKp-NmP9g
Planning Ahead – Our Decisions Matter: A perspective on planning for the future
Wednesday, June 28, 12:00 PM Central Time
Parenting is a lifelong endeavor, especially so for parents of children with special needs. Studies have shown that those parenting children (including adult children) with special needs are aware of the need to plan for the future for their children. However, a combination of factors seems to hinder the planning process.
Guest speaker, Howard Mulloy has more than 35 years of experience with helping people who have disabilities and their families. As a state licensed professional counselor, he has coordinated long-term supports for people of all ages. Howard takes pride and joy in guiding families through life transitions and the completion of critical life documents, such as powers of attorney, supported decision making, and guardianship.
Registration link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6tzMA9dNR9ajuFWzig4K2w
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Adults Concerned About Their Children's Mental Health
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Young adults in Wisconsin experiencing any mental illness
Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health, 2021 Annual Report
Children Come First Conference
Call for Conference Presenters!
November 6-7th, 2023
Kalahari Resort in the Wisconsin Dells
and Online
If you are caring for, working with, or interested in the wellbeing of children and youth with social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges, and want to share your experience and expertise, please consider presenting a workshop at this year’s Children Come First Conference, November 6thand 7th, at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Wisconsin Dells.
Workshops are 75 minutes in length, including Q&A. Presenters are encouraged to use stories of their own experience (self-disclosure) in the break-out sessions.
Presentation submission deadline is May 30, 2023. Click here to apply today!
Parent Peer Specialist Program
Our Parent Peer Specialist (PPSs) program links trained parent peers with parents who, for a variety of reasons, need help and hope. Our PPSs are parents or primary caregivers of children with social, emotional, behavioral, or mental health challenges. They use their experience and training to help families navigate the complex systems that serve children.
“Wisconsin Family Ties was a lifeline. They gave us emotional support and hope. Our Parent Peer Specialist gave us confidence as parents and taught us how to be advocates for ourselves and our son. We really felt like someone understood what we were saying and going through.”
Programs
Our programs are designed to empower and support families while working to drive systems change. Our Parent Peer Specialists are parents of children with similar needs as the families they serve, uniquely equipped to see, understand and explain family needs from a parent perspective. We bring that perspective to our Training, Research and Advocacy Programs as well.
Training
Always Learning. Always Growing. Always Sharing. Our Parent Peer Specialist program links trained parent peers with parents who, for a variety of reasons, need help and hope. View our upcoming webinars & in-person training opportunities.
Research
We conduct research to confirm that our programs address the unique needs of parents, children, and families. We also contribute to the growing body of research focused on peer support, children’s mental health, and family-run organizations
Advocacy
Wisconsin Family Ties monitors and evaluates local, state and federal issues, and participates in educational and advocacy efforts, that prioritize support for families with children living with mental health needs.
News from Wisconsin Family Ties
One Family’s Story • Loving Tough: When the Family Drives the Team
One Family’s Story Loving Tough: When the Family Drives the Team Joan and Doug Maynard When our son was younger and experiencing behavioral problems, we wished for a wraparound program for support. He had had run-ins with the law, a psychiatric hospitalization, was...
Al Schultz receives Volunteer Award • CCFC 2022 • Wisconsin Dells, WI
Video of Al Schultz receiving the Volunteer Award from the Wisconsin Family Ties staff at the Children Come First Conference held Nov 7-8, 2022 at the Kalahari Resort • Wisconsin Dells.
Wisconsin Family Ties Statement on School Shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX
Wisconsin Family Ties Statement on School Shooting at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, Texas Wisconsin Family Ties is saddened and infuriated by the shooting that took the lives of 19 children and two adults this week at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. We cannot...
Anyone Can Request Help from Wisconsin Family Ties
Wisconsin Family Ties receives referrals for service from parents, county human services employees, educators, and medical/mental health professionals. If you or someone you know can benefit from the support we provide, know that anyone can make a referral for our services.
Please contact our Connection Coordinator or complete our online Request Services Form. We will make every effort to reply within two to three business days.
Connections Coordinator
connect@wifamilyties.org
Phone: (800) 422-7145, ext. 1
Anyone Can Request Help from Wisconsin Family Ties
Wisconsin Family Ties receives referrals for service from parents, county human services employees, educators, and medical/mental health professionals. If you or someone you know can benefit from the support we provide, know that anyone can make a referral for our services.
Please contact our Connection Coordinator or complete our online Request Services Form. (Link to referral form) We will make every effort to reply within two to three business days.
Connections Coordinator
connect@wifamilyties.org
(800) 422-7145, ext. 1
We Need Your Help
Show your support and become a part of our commitment to improving children’s mental health. Your donation will help Wisconsin families succeed.
Address
Wisconsin Family Ties
16 N. Carroll St., Ste. 230
Madison, WI 53703
Phone & Fax
Supporting families & changing lives by improving children's mental health.
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Supporting families & changing lives by improving children's mental health.
Address
Wisconsin Family Ties
16 N. Carroll St., Ste. 230
Madison, WI 53703
Phone & Fax
Support Our Work
Affliations