Resources and education

Foundations trainings

Level 2 general foster care parents within their first two years of being licensed will complete 36 hours of state trainings called “foundations trainings.” Level 3 treatment foster care parents will complete the foundations trainings through Children’s Wisconsin prior to licensure. Follow the links below for more information about these trainings:

• Wisconsin foster parent trainings overview
• Foster parent pre-placement trainings (General foster care - levels 1 & 2)

Ongoing trainings

Foster parents who have been licensed for more than 2 years will complete ongoing training hours each year (hours vary depending on license level). These trainings are self-selected and can be on any topic related to fostering. Watch for monthly emails from Children’s Wisconsin for free trainings available to Children’s foster families. Below are ideas of trainings that can count for ongoing training hours:

• Coalition for Children, Youth, and Families
• Wisconsin Family Connections Center
• Triple P (Positive Parenting Program) | En Español
• WIFACETS | En Español
• Together for Children Conference

• Treatment foster care support group – A support group for level three and four providers
• Neighbors fostering neighbors – A support group for level two providers
• Relative support group –  A support group for relative providers
• National Foster Parent Association
• Connecting Bridges
• Wisconsin Foster and Adoptive Parent Association
• Foster parent blogs

• CANS – understanding the foster care rate
• Complaint resolution process
• Foster Parent Referral Program – If you know of someone that is interested in foster care please encourage them to apply!
• Foster parent liaison/advocate – Children’s Wisconsin has a foster and adoptive parent on staff to support you!
• Initial placement checklist
• Reunification preparation
• Robyn's Nest – Access needed items such as gently used clothing, school supplies, hygiene products and diapers!
• Information on the Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services
• A resource to help relative caregivers
• State licensing regulations
• Foster parent hand book

• Find child care
• Disability support
• YoungStar ratings
• Tips on signing up for daycare
• Apply for daycare

• Foster parenting abuse allegations
• Children’s court information for foster families
• Foster parenting/what are my rights
• Rights and responsibilities/grievance procedure
• Rehab review process
• Foster parent liability insurance

• MPS
• Milwaukee County schools
• Private schools in Milwaukee County
• Education liaison: Chris Shafer and Angela Quayle are the liaisons for DMCPS.
• Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Choice Program

Medical

• Medical services
• Care4Kids Program
• Medicaid coverage

Dental

• Dental services
  
• Dental locations

Mental health

• Child and family counseling
• Mental Health America of Wisconsin therapist search
• Psychology Today: therapy finder
• Parent-child interaction therapy
  • PCIT International
  • UW Milwaukee PCIT
  • UW Milwaukee PCIT infographics
• Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy
• Craig Yabuki Mental Health Walk-in Clinic
• Mental health

• 211.org – Access to community services
• Birth to 3 Program
• Hair blog     
  • Chocolate Hair Vanilla Care: A Parent's Guide to Beginning Natural Hair Styling
  • Curly Nikki
  • 25 Must-Read Natural Hair Blogs for Hair Care Tips and Styling Ideas
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Curl Centric
  • Un-ruly
• Preparing children for transitions
• Wisconsin Wayfinder Children’s Resource Network
• WIC
• Transition to adulthood
  • Employ Milwaukee
  • Job Corps
• Autism Society of Southeastern Wisconsin - Have different programs, supports and resources for all age groups.
• Penfield Children’s Center - Early education, health and wellness services, and family programs.
• Milwaukee Center for Children & Youth
• Daniel M. Soref Family Resource Center 
• Parent to Parent of Wisconsin