If you don’t find one of interest or in your area, in this listing, go to the following web site for 75 additional listings throughout Wisconsin:

http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/database/nadd/naddsearch_action.cfm

The Tender Hearts Support Group provides a chance for adoptive parents to share information and discuss adoption issues. The direction of the group is driven by the needs of the members and the meeting often includes a speaker or program. Please contact Katharine Swanson at 715-682-9070.

Sibshop is for brothers and sisters of children with special needs. The purpose of the group is to provide a place to share information and discuss feelings and issues that arise when growing up with a sibling with disabilities. Sibshop will meet quarterly at the Vaughn Public Library in Ashland. For information on dates and times, please call Katherine Swanson at 715-682-9070.

Tough Love is a support group that focuses on families having children with emotional and behavioral concerns. The purpose of the group is to provide support, encouragement, guidance and resources to families on a monthly basis. For more information, please contact Katharine Swanson at 715-682-9070 or e-mail kswanson@ncis.net.

The Sidekicks support group has four goals: to provide support to adoptive parents, fun for families, advocacy for children and families and resource sharing. The group often invites a guest speaker to address issues of concern to the group. Social workers from the State Division of Children and Family Services attend the meetings to answer questions about the adoption process and to help with post adoption issues. The meetings always provide a chance for parents to talk about issues in their families and to get ideas and support.

Sidekicks meet the second Tuesday morning of every month from September through May. Many of the meetings take place at the home of Vicki Harter in Cashton, but the location of the next meeting is always decided before the group adjourns. The meeting is followed by a wonderful potluck lunch. Sidekicks also co-sponsor a summer picnic for families with the Division of Children and the Families and Friends of Adoption Post Adoption Center. The picnic has been held in August at Jellystone Park in Warrens for the last couple of years and everyone has a great time!

Branches of Life is a support group for adoptive parents who are interested in networking with other parents. This group is open to ALL families regardless of agency used for adoption, type of adoption or age of children! For information in the Eau Claire area on future meetings, please call Tina Frank at 715-835-9304 or Mary Barnes at 715-832-6644.

This new support group welcomes any adoptive parents of a child with special needs, and parents who are waiting to adopt a child with special needs. A family meal and child care are provided at no cost.

Please join us if you are an adoptive family with a child who has developmental, emotional, or behavioral special needs.

This new support group provides a family meal and child care at no cost.

This group is for parents with special children to meet and talk about ideas, concerns, information and the love they have for their children. Childcare is available.

Currently SNAP is not holding regular monthly meetings, but the group is sponsoring special events, including family outings and speakers on adoption-related topics. If you live in the Wausau/Stevens Point/Wisconsin Rapids area, and are a parent of children with special needs, SNAP may provide the support you need. If you would like to be added to the SNAP mailing list, call Mary Hamilton at 715-887-3436.

The Wausau Area Parent Support Group held monthly meetings for two years, but currently is not an active group. If you're interested in helping to form a group in Wausau, please call Karen Fonti at 715-359-4857.

The Parent Network is an online support group sponsored by Friends of Adoption. The group is for adoptive families in northern and western Wisconsin. It’s a non-threatening place where you can talk about the joys and challenges that come with being an adoptive parent. The group offers a chance for adoptive parents to share ideas, experiences and concerns related to their children. You may be able to find resources, or share with others the resources that you've used.

This group is available to any adoptive parent, regardless of agency used or type of adoption. To be sure that only adoptive parents and adoption professionals are part of the group, you must be approved to join the group. If you are interested in joining, please call Mary Barnes at 1-800-332-2007 during business hours or email Mary at mbarnes@catholiccharitieslax.org.

NORTHEASTERN
Family Services of NE Wisconsin, Inc.
300 Crooks Street
Green Bay WI 54301
Mail: PO Box 22308, Green Bay WI 54305-2308
Toll Free: 800-998-9609
Fax Number: 920-432-4053
E-Mail: postadoption@familyservicesnew.org
Website: www.familyservicesnew.org
Counties Served: Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Kewaunee, Manitowoc,
Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Oconto, Outagamie, Shawano, Sheboygan, Waupaca, Winnebago
and Waushara

NORTHERN
Catholic Charities Diocese of LaCrosse
1317 College Court 200 Washington Street
Stevens Point WI 54481 Wausau WI 54403
Toll Free: 866-849-3311 (Wausau) 866-344-2500 (Stevens Point)
Fax Number: Superior: 715-394-6617
Fax Number: Wausau: 715-849-3311
E-Mail: info@catholiccharitieslax.org
Website: www.friendsofadoption.org
Counties Served: Ashland, Bayfield, Florence, Forest, Iron, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida,
Portage, Price, Sawyer, Taylor, Vilas and Wood

SOUTHEASTERN
Adoption Resources of Wisconsin, Inc.
6682 West Greenfield Avenue Suite 310
Milwaukee WI 53214
Toll Free: 800-762-8063
Fax Number: 414-475-7007
E-Mail: info@wiadopt.org
Website: www.wiadopt.org
Counties Served: Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington
and Waukesha

SOUTHERN
Catholic Charities Diocese of Madison
426 South Yellowstone Drive Suite 100
Madison WI 53719
Toll Free: 888-485-7385
Fax Number: 608-833-7897
E-Mail: postadoption@tds.net
Website: www.ccmdsn.org
Counties Served: Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette,
Richland, Rock and Sauk

WESTERN
Catholic Charities Diocese of LaCrosse
128 South Sixth Street 204 East Grand Avenue
LaCrosse WI 54602-0266 Eau Claire WI 54701
Toll Free: 800-227-3002
Fax Number: 715-832-6686
E-Mail: info@catholiccharitieslax.org
Website: www.friendsofadoption.org
Counties Served: Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson,
LaCrosse, Monroe, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Trempealeau, Vernon and Washburn

Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services www.dhfs.state.wi.us

This web site provides information on Wisconsin’s Birth to 3 Program, Disability Programs, Katie Beckett Program, Medicaid Purchase Plan, Pathways to Independence Program, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Adoption in Wisconsin, Child Care, Child Welfare, Foster Care and Independent Living Services. Included in the Adoption information provided is information on Adoption Assistance, adoption related Internet sites, search information and adoption laws for the state.

Adoption Resources of Wisconsin www.wiadopt.org
This web site features information on post adoption services including a calendar of educational events, conferences and family fun events throughout Wisconsin. There is also a complete listing of videos, audiotapes, and books available to be checked out and mailed at no charge, a discussion
group, articles on post adoptive issues, and a support group listing for the state of Wisconsin. Contact information for all five Post Adoption Resource Centers in the state can also be found here.

Wisconsin Adoption and Foster Care Information Center www.wiadoptioninfocenter.org
This website features information on all types of adoption. There is information specific to both birthparents and prospective adoptive families. Legal issues, search and reunion, how to choose an agency and a list of licensed agencies in Wisconsin can be found at this site. Links to information about foster care are available.

National Adoption Information Clearinghouse www.calib.com/naic
The Clearinghouse website is a national resource for information on all aspects of adoption for professionals, policy makers, and the general public. Clearinghouse services include technical assistance to professionals and policy makers, a library collection, publications, databases on adoption resources, and information on Federal and State legislation.

National Adoption Center www.adopt.org
The National Adoption Center provides information on the adoption process, financial assistance, national adoption organizations, book reviews, conferences, adoption related articles and legislative updates.