Resources
Main Contacts
for families to go to for
information and resources:
2-1-1 is the new Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline:
a statewide resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services. The helpline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Trained resource specialists will help you understand your treatment and support options
https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/addiction-helpline
ABCD in Action - http://abcdinaction.ning.com
ABCD in Action is your community - a place where we can learn together and from each other about how to apply the principles and
practices of Asset-Based Community Development. Please join the discussion!
ABC for Health Care ABC for Health is a public interest law firm that promotes health equity and social justice. We help clients impacted by health disparities due to income, race, or poverty to connect to health care coverage and services in Wisconsin.
1-800-585-4222
32 N BASSETT ST MADISON, WI 53703
· 608-261-6939 800-585-4222
· INFO@SAFETYWEB.ORG
Access Wisconsin- www.access.wisconsin.gov/access
Welcome to ACCESS - Access to Eligibility Support Services for Health, Nutrition, Child Care and W-2 Cash Assistance. This
website is a quick and easy way for people who live in Wisconsin to find out if they might be able to get:
Help with buying food
Low- or no-cost health care
Help with buying prescription drugs
Help with paying for child care
W-2 cash assistance and help finding a job
Home energy assistance
Special tax credits
Low cost life insurance
ACCESS Wisconsin | Apply for and manage state of Wisconsin benefits
Addiction Resource, raises awareness of the impact of drug use among minorities
(https://addictionresource.com/).
Tobacco among Native American community
(https://vapingdaily.com/support/native-american-community/).
Advocacy ATLAS: A new online resource for individuals with special healthcare
needs and their families. The Accessible Tools for Leadership and Advocacy Success, features over 250 tools
and resources to help new and experienced advocates communicate their needs around services, support, and access.
www.geneticalliance.org - Resources and Services Tab - Thanks Robin!
Alcohol use disorder
AlcoholHelp.com, an organization that provides extensive and reliable information regarding alcohol.
www.AlcoholHelp.com/Treatment/Inpatient-Rehab/
Autism Spectrum News http://www.mhnews-autism.org
Birth to Three Program” Contact your county - Human resources
In Wood County - http://www.co.wood.wi.us/Departments/Unified/Child.aspx#BirthToThree
BrainandSpinalCord.org.
Our mission is to be the most reliable, timely and complete resource on the internet for Closed Head Injury and other debilitating
diseases. These injuries can be devastating, causing physical and emotional distress.
BrainandSpinalCord.org | 1234 5th Avenue East Tampa, Florida 33605
Bureau of Indian Affairs - Ashland office - 715-682-4527
Bureau of Long Term Support( DHS/DLTC) http://www.dhs.wisconwsin.gov/publications/P2/p20460.pdf
Catalyst Center is a national center dedicated to working with states and stakeholder groups on improving health care insurance and
financing for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN). For more information, please visit us at
www.catalystctr.org or contact Meg Comeau, Program Director, at mcomeau@bu.edu.
Catholic Charities - Is a post adoption resource center. Our mission is to offer education, support services and resources to adoptive families (many of whom have adopted kids with special needs). www.parc.cclse
540 S. Third Ave.
P.O. Box 2186
Wausau, WI. 54402-2186
Phone: 715.849.3311 x1725
Fax: 715.849.8414
Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR). http://www.parentcenterhub.org/
Cerebral Palsy Guide. A free online guide that provides information, support and financial help to families affected by this condition. It is
our mission to raise awareness about cerebral palsy and the various treatment methods and support groups available for parents
and children. https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/
Cerebral Palsy Guidance.com is a comprehensive informational website on cerebral palsy. As someone who’s lived with
cerebral palsy since infancy, I know how critical it is for parents of a child with CP to have access to reliable and
comprehensive information on this complex condition. www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com
Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, birth injuries, or brain injuries.
Our team was created so we can provide answers and all types of assistance needed to help improve the quality of life for loved
ones and family members with cerebral palsy.
https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/treatment/therapy/
FREE support and useful resources to individuals and families who have been diagnosed with cerebral palsy and other
disabilities.
Children's Community Option Program http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/children/fsp/
Contact your County Human Services
Wood County Contact http://www.co.wood.wi.us/Departments/Unified/Child.aspx
Children's Long Term Support Waivers for Developmental Delays http://www.co.wood.wi.us/Departments/Unified/Child.aspx#Waivers
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs“
Finding your way: A Navigation Guide for WI Families Who Have Children
and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities
www.waisman.wisc.edu/connections
Regional Center Information
http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/health/children/RegionalCenters/index.htm
Wood County Contact - Northern Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Regional Center (CYSHCN)
715-261-1906 800-642-7837 specialneedsinfo@co.marathon.wi.us http://northernregionalcenter.org.
Cerebral Palsy https://www.mattressnerd.com/cerebral-palsy/
Resource to help children with CP improve their sleep quality. According to Cerebral Palsy Guidance, nearly 46% of children with CP
suffer from one or more sleep disorders. Our guide outlines the common causes of these sleep challenges and offers potential
solutions for parents to help their children get a good night’s rest.
Crime victims - As a crime victim with a disability, it may be hard to know what to do. With this resource you can know your rights and where to find help. Crime Victims With Disabilities: Know Your Rights - The Arc
https://thearc.org/resource/crime-victims-with-disabilities-know-your-rights/?utm_source=cc&utm_medium=email&utm_campaingn=empower
Department of Health Services for Family Support http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/children/fsp/index.htm
Children's Long Term Care Waivers- http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/children/clts/index.htm
Enrollment and Recertification, of the Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services Waiver Manual for the CLTS Waiver Program https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/waiver/clts-ch06.pdf
Functional Eligibility Screen for Children's Long-Term Support Programs, F-00367 (CLTS FS).
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/forms/f0/f00367.pdf
Developmental Milestones-- http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
Let me know what you think about this new site on Tracking development
http://wwmc.2013.nodeknockout.com/#/skills
Disability Rights Wisconsin - DRW is the designated protection and advocacy agency for people with developmental,
physical, or sensory disabilities and people with mental illness in Wisconsin. DRW engages in a variety of advocacy strategies,
including one-on-one advocacy for individuals and their families; systems advocacy (influencing state and county policy, legislative
advocacy and coalition building); class action and impact litigation; and providing training to people with disabilities, their family
members, human service professionals, attorneys and others on a variety of disability related topics.
131 W. Wilson St., Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703
608-267-0214
TTY: 888-758-6049
Fax: 608-267-0368
Toll Free: 800-928-8778*
www.disabilityrightswi.org
Disability Rights Wisconsin’s Victim Advocacy Program Victim Advocacy Program - Disability Rights Wisconsin\
Provides direct service to individuals with disabilities who have
experienced crime, regardless if it has been reported. We work to ensure that each eligible person receives the advocacy, services,
and support necessary to move forward, find justice, and ensure safety and stability in whatever form the victim/survivor needs.
http://www.disabilityrightswi.org/learn/victim-advocacy-program/
Family Care and IRIS Ombudsman Program
Family Care and IRIS (Include, Respect, I Self-Direct) programs provide long-term care services to adults with intellectual and
physical disabilities and to elderly Wisconsin residents, allowing them to remain in their homes. These programs foster
independence and improve quality of life for these individuals while supporting their desire to self-direct their long-term care
services.
Through a contract with the Department of Health Services (DHS), Disability Rights Wisconsin serves as an independent
ombudsman for people who are enrolled or in the process of enrolling in one of these programs.
For more information on Family Care and IRIS programs, see our resource page on the topic.
Down Syndrome http://www.gettindowncentralwi.org
Early Childhood Newslink www.earlychildhoodnews.com
Embrace Life Autistically (video/speaker) Judy Endow, MSW at :
http://autism.com/pro_videoflv.asp?flv=022_atlanta_11_adult_endow&h=480&w=640&VID=207
Family Involvement Newsletter http://dpi.wi.gov/e-lists/index.html
Family Voices http://fvofwi.org
If you have child with a disability or special healthcare need, you’ve come to the right place. We’re here to help you navigate services,
connect with other families, and learn how to advocate for your child, plus be a voice for all children with special needs.
Each family has a voice • Together, our voices will be heard!
Family Voices of Wisconsin is a statewide network of families who have children and youth with special health care needs and/or
disabilities and those who work on their behalf. We support families by providing information, training and leadership opportunities
so that families can be informed and effective partners in their child’s care and in the systems that support them.
Family Voices of Wisconsin is an affiliate of the national Family Voices and we are the home to Wisconsin’s Family to Family
Health Information and Education Network. We work closely with the Regional Centers for Children and Youth with Special Health
Care Needs around Wisconsin to make sure families find the resources they need.
Finding Your Way (Navigation Guide for WI families who have children and youth with
special health care needs and disabilities)-- https://ucedd.waisman.wisc.edu/fyw/
An English-language version is available at https://ucedd.waisman.wisc.edu/fyw/
pdf version of the guide is available at https://go.wisc.edu/finding-your-way.pdf
A Spanish-language .pdf versions: https://ucedd.waisman.wisc.edu/encuentre-su-camino/
A printed versions are available at minimal cost.
Special Health Care Needs and Disabilities is designed to help families and professionals navigate the system of care in
Wisconsin.
Questions: Tim Markle, tmarkle@wisc.edu
Katie Beckett Medicaid Program - Wisconsin provides health care coverage to eligible children who have disabilities and long-term support needs.
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/kbp/index.htm
Legal Resources
Disability Rights Wisconsin - see above! www.disabilityrightswi.org
Looking for a Lawyer? Wisconsin State Bar, Lawyer Referral and Information Service
(800) 362-9082 (Satewide) (608) 257-4666 ( Madison) www.wisbar.org/needalawyer
Wisconsin Free Legal Answers
Need legal advice" No money for a lawyer? https://wi.freelegalanswers.org/
Listing of more legal resources: https://wi.freelegalanswers.org/OtherHelp
Legal Services Programs & Clinics (free or reduced cost)
ABC for Health (health insurance coverage issues)
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin
Community Immigration Law Center (Dane)
Legal Services for Immigrants - Milwaukee
Legal Services for Immigrants - La Crosse
Centro Legal (reduced cost Milwaukee area)
Civitas Law Group (reduced cost Milwaukee area)
Community Justice, Inc. (reduced cost Dane County area)
Disability Rights Wisconsin
Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources (elder law and guardianship)
Kids Matter (child guardianship, foster care, Kinship Care)
Lagmann, Inc (reduced cost Milwaukee area)
Legal Action of Wisconsin (Southern Wisconsin)
Legal Aid Society of Door County
Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee
Milwaukee Justice Center
Wisconsin Judicare (northern Wisconsin)
Marquette Volunteer Legal Clinic
Portage County Legal Aid Society
SimpleCitizen (immigration help)
Upsolve (free bankruptcy assistance)
UW Law School Clinics (family, housing, consumer, immigration, crime victims)
UW Law & Entrepreneurship Clinic
Wisconsin Foreclosure Mediation Network
Lawyer Referral Services (for hiring a private attorney)
Milwaukee Lawyer Referral Service
State Bar Lawyer Referral Service Legal information
Common legal questions - from the State Bar of Wisconsin
State Law Library
Wisconsin Court System Self-Help Center
Legal resources by county Help with criminal law issues
Wisconsin State Public Defender
Pardons and expungement information Active-Duty Military/Veterans Legal Assistance
ABA Home Front www.abahomefront.org
ABA Home Front provides legal information, resources, and a directory of legal programs for veterans, service
members, and military families. Programs listed include military legal assistance offices, legal aid and pro bono
organizations, lawyer referral and information services, and military-specific programs where available.
ABA Military Pro Bono Project www.militaryprobono.org
The ABA Military Pro Bono Project accepts case referrals from military attorneys on behalf of junior-enlisted,
active-duty military personnel facing civil legal issues, and it works to place these cases with pro bono attorneys.
Maternal and Child Health Library at Georgetown University May 2012
The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Library at Georgetown University has developed a new edition of the
Community Services Locator, an online directory for finding services for children and families in the
communities in which they live. Service providers and families can use the locator to find available childcare and early childhood
programs; education and special education programs; developmental assessment and learning services; family support; financial
support; and health and wellness care.
Community Services Locator: An Online Directory for Finding Community Services for Children and Families, 3rd
Edition http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_community.html
MetaStar is a quality improvement organization with 45 years of experience working alongside those in the health care system to improve the quality of health care for all patients. Our health care improvement and consulting services address the need for system-wide innovation and consistent, evidence-based approaches across all settings of care. All of our work is guided by our mission, to effect positive change in health and health care.
We work with communities, providers, and insurers to transform care with a vision of optimal health for all. MetaStar is an independent nonprofit based in Madison and represents Wisconsin in the Lake Superior Quality Innovation Network.
1-800-362-2320
* This reference was provided to also help with issues regarding Family Care, IRIS, Partnership and Pace
Concerns. They are an oversite agency Separate from the State but a mediator.?
MILC - Midstate Independent Living Consultants, Inc. http://www.milc-inc.org/home.html
3262 Church St. Suite 1
Stevens Point, WI 54481
Phone: Toll free: 1-800-382-8484
V/TTY: 715-344-4210 Fax: 715-344-4414 Email: milc@milc-inc.org
National Center for Learning Disabilities — www.oneplaceforspecialneeds.com
National Center on Secondary Education and Transition E-News— http://www.ncset.org/enews/current..asp
Parent to Parent of Wisconsin – Is a statewide network of families who support each other on the journey of parenting children with
special health care needs. It offers parents and caregivers the opportunity to connect one-to-one with a
parent of a child with similar special needs. A parent coordinator facilitates the match with a trained support parent. For
information and connections, call 888-266-0028 or see www.p2pwi.org .
Parent Resource Center of Taylor County-133 W. State Street -Medford, 715-748-5363- parentrc@tds.net
PIER- http://pierwi.info
Police Liaison program philosophy and goals — www.wirapids.org
and click on government, then Police Dept, then School Officers
Self Directed Services Network - SDS Network - http://sdsnetworkwi.org/
Transition E-Newsletter — http://www.wsti.org/documents/2010/Transition_enews_1010.pdf
United Special Sportsman Alliance, Inc. (USSA) -non profit “dream wish” granting charity, that specializes in sending critically-ill and
disabled youth and disabled veterans on the outdoor adventure of their dreams!- http://www.childswish.com/index.php
United Way of Inner Wisconsin www.uwiw.org
2017 Help Guide. https://www.uwiw.org/help-guide
Visual impairment or blindness http://www.lighthouseguild.org/programs-services/education/support-for-parents-of-children-with-visual-impairments/tele-support-groups-teens/
Wisconsin Department of Health Services Websites:
Birth to 3 https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/birthto3/index.htm
Children's Community Options Program https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/ccop/index.htm
Children's Long Term Waivers http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/children/clts/index.htm
What Services are Available?
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/waiver/family/services.htm
* What types of services are available?
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/spcs.pdf
Updated Manual: Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waiver for the Children’s Long-Term Services
(CLTS) Waiver Program https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p02256.pdf
Transitioning to Adult Waiver Programs
Items Covered in the Family Care Benefit Package
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/familycare/benpackage.htm
Comparison Chart at:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p0/p00570.pdf
Wisconsin FACETS - Family Assistant Center for Education and Training Supports
Our mission is to provide and broaden opportunities that enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities and
their families, with emphasis on support for underserved families in the community.
http://www.wifacets.org 877.374.0511
Events | WI FACETS - See trainings re: special education, community and statewide resources.
Wisconsin Family Ties
Wisconsin Family Ties is the only state-wide, parent-run nonprofit organization in Wisconsin working with families that include children with social, emotional or behavioral health needs. We walk beside families to provide emotional support while helping them to navigate the complex systems with which they are involved. Learn more about us at wifamilyties.org
16 N Carroll St, Ste 230
Madison, Wisconsin 53703
(608) 267-6800
info@wifamilyties.org
Wisconsin First Step - Help for Families of children with Special Healthcare Needs - 1-800-642-7837
Did you ever wonder how to help a family get connected to resources and information that could help them with their child’s special
needs or attempts to diagnose a special need? Contact Wisconsin First Step 24/7 Hotline to get agency and provider information
to help families get connected!
Getting a new diagnosis or determining what special needs a child has can be very overwhelming. Wisconsin First Step attempts to
aid parents and professionals through this journey. A phone call to our hotline will provide information about local services, as well
as, referrals to providers when appropriate.
A Wisconsin First Step Parent Specialist offers an empathetic ear to callers as a professional who is also the parent of a child with
special needs. A Parent Specialist is able to offer a qualified connection, because they may have been through many of the caller
situations at one time or another with their own child.
FIND US ON FACEBOOK to receive special needs resources and parenting info
Chat with a Parent Specialist (M-F 8am – 4pm)
Website www.mch-hotlines.org |
PIER is an informational site. It is not a legal services agency and cannot provide legal advice or legal representation. Any information contained on this site is not intended as legal or medical advice but only as an informational resource. This web site was created to inform and educate. The content should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, recommendations, diagnosis or treatment.
You are encouraged to confirm all information with other sources and a physician. If you have health concerns, please call or see a qualified health care provider without delay. .
We do not endorse any treatments, providers, or product information in this site.
As with any program - we strongly encourage you to thoroughly check out references.
You are encouraged to confirm all information with other sources and a physician. If you have health concerns, please call or see a qualified health care provider without delay. .
We do not endorse any treatments, providers, or product information in this site.
As with any program - we strongly encourage you to thoroughly check out references.
