Wisconsin post-adoption support

Below are post-adoption support services available to families who live in Wisconsin. Services may not be available in all areas and/or may be dependent upon the circumstances of the placement. Please check with your post-adoption services provider about the availability of specific post-adoption or guardianship support services for your family. You can also visit Child Welfare Information Gateway for information on Adoption and Guardianship Assistance, as well as additional information on post-adoption support.

Post-adoption/guardianship support services

In Wisconsin, adoptive families have access to the following services through a post-adoption support program:

Information (websites, fact sheets, articles, etc.)
Referral to services
Training/other development
Birth family mediation
Case management: Currently available at select pilot sites, not available statewide
Peer support for parents
Peer support for children/teens
Mentoring for parents
Camps, retreats, or other events

Who is eligible for these services?

Families who have adopted from the state’s foster care system
Families who have adopted from another state’s foster care system
Families who have adopted internationally or privately
Families who have guardianship of a child from foster care
Families who obtained guardianship of a child privately

Who provides these services?

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families contracts with multiple private agencies to provide Wisconsin Family Connections Center. Additional information, training, and support is also available through the Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse Journeys program or the Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families. Local agencies may provide additional services outside of the state’s post-adoption and permanency support program.

Parent support groups

Below are support groups for adoptive, kinship, and foster families. Support groups may be offered as part of a state’s post-adoption/guardianship support program, through a statewide or regional foster or adoptive parent association, through specific agencies, or may be run independently. If we have additional information about the group’s purpose or the community served, it’s provided under the group’s contact information.

To add a group or make a suggestion, email the AdoptUSKids family support team.