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
Assistive Technologies and Learners with IEPs
Erika Kluge
March 1, 12:00 PM CST
“Everyone should have the opportunity to reach their true learning potential and demonstrate their knowledge. Everyone deserves the joy of reading, regardless of their individual challenges, and everyone can write what their minds can imagine. Technology is the tool to ignite success in academics, career and life”. ~ Erika Kluge
Dreaming with our kids and learning to live on Hunter time
Tim Markle
Tuesday, April 18, 12:00 PM Central Time
When parenting a child with special needs, it’s never too soon to think about life beyond high school. Join us as Tim Markle shares insight about meeting the long-term goals of our children and aims to raise our awareness of different approaches and perspectives we can take – to dream with our kids and support them in reaching those dreams.
%
Adults Concerned About Their Children's Mental Health
%
Young adults in Wisconsin experiencing any mental illness
Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health, 2021 Annual Report
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
WFT Testimony in Favor of SB 527
Testimony in support of SB-527, Improvements to the Restraint & Seclusion Law Hugh Davis, Executive Director Wisconsin Family Ties Senate Bill 527 is the culmination of dozens of hours of constructive meetings between education stakeholders, including families,...
We Need to Do Better on Seclusion and Restraint in Our Schools: Why I Support SB 527
Everyone in Wisconsin wants our children to be happy, healthy, and successful. To get there, we need to do better when it comes to seclusion and restraint in our schools. SB 527, a new bill introduced at the Capitol in Madison on October 25, will help us reach that...
26 Years Later, Behavior-Chart Memories Still Sting
Submitted by a follower of the WFT Facebook page who prefers to remain anonymous. I was scrolling through social media one day when I came across a Facebook post by Wisconsin Family Ties about the effects of behavioral charts on students. I’ve subscribed...
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