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.

On this page:

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.

Statewide association

Wisconsin Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, Inc (WFAPA)
twfapa@new.rr.com
715-938-6667

Parent groups

Adoption Adventure
kswanson@ncis.net
715-682-9070
Location: Ashland

Adoption Adventure Support Group
tjokinen@centurytel.net
715-274-4343
Location: Mellen

Adoption Choice, Inc.
info@adoptionchoiceinc.org
Location: Madison

Adoption Choice, Inc.
info@adoptionchoiceinc.org
Location: Green Bay

Anu Family Services, Inc.
Location: Hudson

Catholic Charities Madison
Location: Madison

Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee
childwelfare@ccmke.org
Location: Milwaukee

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay
hhansen@gbdioc.org
Location: Green Bay

Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse, Inc.
info@cclse.org
Location: La Crosse

Families for Russian and Ukrainian Adoptions
fruauppermidwest@gmail.com

Family Services
intake@familyservicesnew.org
Location: Green Bay

Friends of Adoption: Post Adoption Resource Center
info@friendsinadoption.org
Location: Eau Claire

Lutheran Counseling & Family Services of Wisconsin
adoption@lcfswi.org
Location: Wauwatosa

Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan, Inc.
Location: West Allis

NAMASTE
262-968-4564
Location: Wales

Ours through Adoption of Northeast WI
OursThroughAdoption@gmail.com
920-435-2626
Location: Green Bay

Special Needs Adoption Parent Support of Southeastern Wisconsin
DCFSpecialNeedsSupport@wisconsin.gov
Location: Milwaukee

Voice United, Inc.
joeandkia@aol.com
414-327-7717
Location: Milwaukee

Wisconsin Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, Inc.
anne.rankin19@gmail.com
Location: Lake Nebagamon

Wisconsin Adoption & Permanency Support
creppe@cclse.org
Group type: Post-adoption

Wisconsin Family Ties
info@wifamilyties.org
Location: Madison