Spring 2021 - Wisconsin Adoption & Permanency Support
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Spring 2021
We have so many things we are annual conference in Wisconsin
looking forward to offering you in Dells, A Place In My Heart! Save the
the coming months, and you will date for this special event to be
find many of them in this held on Saturday, October 30th.
newsletter! You can find our full
calendar of events right on our This year we are happy to
website now at www.wisapsp.org, announce that our speaker will be
so I encourage you to check that Bryan Post from the Post Institute.
out as well as follow us on Registration will open this summer.
Facebook. There are always new As always, please feel free to reach
webinars, virtual groups, and out to me personally if I can help
It does my heart good to sit and activities taking place that are such connect you with resources or
write a SPRING newsletter article. I a great opportunity for connection supports. I always love hearing
love the spring and the newness of and support. from you and welcome your
life it brings after the winter season feedback and ideas.
here in Wisconsin. Soon we will be We are especially excited to be
Take care,
enjoying warmer temperatures, able to offer some additional fun
sunny and stretched out days, and family events around the state
signs of growth and colors all through the generosity of Jockey
around. It seems we are all Being Family! Some of these events
approaching this spring with a new will take place in the summer, and
perspective than years past, and I others later into the fall. In addition Christy Reppe
hope you are able to fully take in to these events, Jockey Being Adoption & Permanency Support
and enjoy the things about the Family will also generously be Coordinator
season that bring you joy and rest. providing a number of hotel rooms christy@wisapsp.org
AND a family pizza party at our 608-519-8057
Check out the photos from winter events. Baby it was cold outside, but
family fun was still to be had! These photos are from the Snow Daze Event
that was held at the Schiltz Nature
Center on Saturday, January 16th.
Check out the other event photos in
this newsletter! Also check out this
quarter’s virtual and in-person
events. Mark your calendars for
upcoming conferences! Call your
local WISAPSP specialist to learn
more about the resources available
to you and your family. We are here
for you!
In Case You Missed It...
On February 27th, approximately In January, families braved cold
eight adoptive and guardianship weather to enjoy Wildcat State
families attended a day of tubing at Park with their family. There was
Trollhaugen Outdoor Recreation much fun and exploration in the
Area in Dresser, WI. snow.
The event was initially On Sunday, January
scheduled for earlier in the 31, our Family Hike at
month, but was Blue Mounds State
rescheduled due to the Park needed to be
severe cold weather. It cancelled due to
turned out that the snowy and icy
weather in the end of conditions.
February was perfect! Fortunately, families Here is some feedback from
Families were able to tube were mailed the state families about their care
down their pick of five park pass, bird feeder packages:
different lanes on the hill craft, snacks, hot
and could even chain cocoa & We just got your package, and I
together to enjoy the ride marshmallows they want to thank you again for all
down as a group. A big would have received the goodies! It made my girls'
thanks to the families who at the event. While day :) They are looking forward
attended! Keep your eyes being indoors during to making the bird feeder over
open for more outdoor family fun the cold weather families enjoyed the upcoming frigid weekend,
events to come! their snack and special time and are sure to enjoy the hot
together making their bird chocolate!
feeders.
Thank you so much for the super
Families will also be able to -fun bag of goodies! It will help
enjoy visiting state parks us survive the coming bitter cold
throughout the year during weekend and the critters will
the pandemic. appreciate the feeders! What a
great idea!
Don’t Worry...There’s New Activities Coming Up!
Meet New Staff Member - Christy Timm, a Greenfield Area Specialist
Introducing Winston. I attended UW being trauma-informed and child-
Christy Milwaukee for my Bachelor’s centered. I enjoy working with
Timm, our degree in Sociology with an families, and being able to support
new emphasis in Urban Studies, and I them in meaningful ways. Prior to
Support also earned my Master’s degree at my career as a school counselor, I
Specialist in UW Milwaukee in Counseling. also worked for six years at
our Previous to working with Wisconsin Columbia St. Mary’s as a Nursing
Greenfield Adoption & Permanency Support, I Support Coordinator. Both fields
office. worked as a school counselor at all allowed me to help others receive
I have always lived here in age levels, but primarily with holistic care by making sure their
Wisconsin. I grew up in a rural elementary and middle school physical and mental health needs
town southwest of Madison, spent children. Working with children are met, and I am eager to
many years in Milwaukee, and from a variety of ages, continue this work with Wisconsin
recently settled in the Wind Lake, backgrounds, and circumstances Adoption & Permanency Support
WI area with my husband and dog led me to be passionate about as well.
NEW TRAUMA-INFORMED VIRTUAL SUPPORT GROUP A group especially for parents who are:
FOR ADOPTIVE AND GUARDIANSHIP PARENTS Parenting youth with trauma histories.
MEETS 3RD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH AT NOON Parenting youth with challenging
REGISTER ONLINE AT TISUPPORT.EVENTBRITE.COM emotional/behavioral challenges and/
or diagnoses such as RAD, DMDD, &
WITH QUESTIONS, PLEASE EMAIL INFO@WISAPSP.ORG ODD
WISAPSP Family Highlight - The Sells Family.
better. We were matched with a 2 months later our family of 3 flew
day old baby girl. Ten days later we across the country to meet our
held the most beautiful baby girl in son. The weekend was filled with
our arms and were able to fly her adventures, laughs, and hugs when
home to be ours forever. Raising we said goodbye. Four months
our daughter has been our later, we flew to bring him home.
greatest blessing. So much so that “Party of Four” - this may seem like
we knew we wanted to adopt a simple statement for most
Our adoption another child. As the years passed, families but after years of hoping
journey began over 30 years ago. we were recertified 4 times with and praying, this is something our
Early on in our relationship, my our agency, each time, widening family can finally say! A special
husband and I always spoke of the age range of a child, to best thank you to Heather and the
adopting a child, regardless of our match the age of our daughter. Wisconsin Adoption and
ability to conceive on our own. We Almost 15 years passed and we Permanency Support Program. It is
dealt with a decade’s worth of had all but given up on the dream comforting to know we have
stress and heart break related to of growing our family. In fact, we support and resources to help us
infertility but realized that perhaps recertified “one last time.” Finally on our adoption journey. Our
it was God’s plan all along for us to in 2017, on a day we discovered entire family enjoys the social
adopt. The transition to initiating we were about to make a cross- events and activities. Thank you to
the adoption process was an easy country move, we received the WISAPSP for always being there for
one and after 2 years of prayers phone call. We were matched with us and for helping us to build more
and waiting for God’s plan to be a 10 year old boy. We started the precious family memories.”
revealed, we received the phone process over, in order to certify
call that changed our lives for the with our new state, and then 5
decorating the outside, it is watering and love for them to really
something that you can do bloom and prosper. If they do stick
together every step of the way. it out and put the work in, their
Not only does it strengthen your reward will be so amazing. They will
bond, it also gets them outside! be able to see their beautiful
After the long winter months, flowers, and pick and eat their
getting outside for fresh air vegetables and fruit.
can be so rejuvenating for If you are not able to start a garden
you and your child. With so outside your home, having some
many children doing virtual indoor plants will work just as well
school, it helps get your child too! You can still pick out the plants
away from screen time and together and water them, and make
out in nature, playing in the dirt sure they get plenty of sunlight.
and running around, which is Indoor plants require hard work,
Spring is around childhood in a nutshell. and the growth can be seen on a
the corner (fingers crossed) and I Professionals have listed some daily basis!
know I am excited for warmer benefits of being outside including
weather and seeing the beauty of Here is an article on tips for starting
rising levels in Vitamin D, and even a garden: https://
new growth in nature. I love seeing boosting concentration. Children
buds on the trees, feeling a warm www.miraclegro.com/en-us/library/
with ADHD seem to focus better gardening-basics/10-top-gardening-
breeze as I take a walk outside, and after being outdoors. It also can
just the feeling of spring in the air. tips-beginners. If you would like,
improve your mood. Researchers send photos to info@wisapsp.org of
Winters can become cumbersome in have found that nature makes us
Wisconsin, and the first signs of your garden at any stage. We would
happy. Anxiety, depression, and love to hear all about it!
spring are something I get excited anger can decrease after simply
for each year, especially this one. spending time outdoors. If you have
Spring is also the perfect time to a sensory oriented child, feeling the
consider starting a garden with your dirt in their hands or on their feet
child/children. Whether you want to and the sun on their back can really
grow vegetables, fruit, or pretty enhance that experience for them
flowers, growing a garden has many as well.
benefits for your child. It is a way Planting a garden also teaches your
that you can spend time with them, children about hard work and
and strengthen your bond together. discipline. If they want the plants/
From picking out what you want to vegetables/fruit to grow, they will
plant and where, to tilling the dirt, have to stick with it and take care of
picking rocks out, planting the them. Rain might be their friend
seeds, watering the plants, and some days, but they will need
WISAPSP SPRING NEWSLETTER CONTEST: Bright Spots of Quarantine
Well, it’s now been over a year since the pandemic sent us all into lockdown mode and changed all of our
lives. The downsides of the pandemic are too many to count… but there were a few silver linings to be
found. Where has your family found joy during this difficult year? For our Spring Contest-- Share with us one
of your family’s Bright Spots of Quarantine. Submit your answer by May 1st to Jessica@wisapsp.org or on the
corresponding Facebook contest post. We’ll choose one lucky winner at random from all the entries. The
winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card! We may feature some of the answers in our next newsletter.
Photos encouraged too!
Madison Adoption Foster Support Group is a thriving parent-led group based in Madison. We
recently interviewed Lisa Schuster, one of the group’s organizers. You can also follow the
organization through their Facebook Group Page: Adoption/Foster Support Group (Madison,
WI). The group is hosted by Door Creek Church, though you need not be an attendee in order to
be a part of the support group.
Please tell us about how/why/ When we were in person we a safe place where we can talk,
when the Adoption and Foster averaged about 30 people per share and have true
Support Group got started. event. Craft Nights are by far our understanding about what it’s like
most popular event sometimes to parent as an adoptive or foster
Our group was started at Door we have 60 people attend! parent as it is uniquely different.
Creek Church in Madison about 6
years ago. The original intent was Can you tell us about some of the
to assess what families who were activities and events that you
considering or already had hold?
adopted/fostered might need and Our family fun nights have
to see how the church might included crafts, movies, games,
support them or how a group cookouts and park meetings. For
might grow out of these needs. adults we have had walking clubs, Woven Conference in Michigan –
How has the group grown and coffee nights, book clubs and we many of our member moms
changed over the years? also had many members attend attended together, January, 2020.
an Adoptive Mom retreat
About two years ago we started together in Michigan.
offering a variety of meetings. What advice do you have for
We meet about once a month What kinds of adjustments has others who might want to start a
holding family fun nights that your group made during the similar type of group in other
have an activity plus open gym pandemic? parts of the state?
time, parent nights out, book- All of our meetings have been for Finding a team of people to lead
reads and we consistently parents during the pandemic. We together is key, this way you can
connect members to other events have offered a walking club, share the responsibilities of the
in the area on our Facebook page. morning coffee meet ups ( during meetings. We have always had 2-
What we found is challenging is the warmer months when we 3 families who lead. Having a
finding activities that fit a wide could meet outside) and recently diverse team is great too, families
range of kid’s ages in one night. we had two of our members hold who are adoptive (domestic/
We have easily found activities a Zoom Meeting to share how to international) and foster on a
that preschoolers to elementary start a Lifebook for and with your leadership team is beneficial.
kids enjoy with their parents. We child.
We send a survey out once a year
have offered an open gym and a What is your favorite thing about to learn more about how we can
game room (pool, ping-pong) for being a part of the Adoption and support and offer meetings that
teens. Ultimately, we have found Foster Support Group? What do meet needs. This helps us to plan
that most of our members have you think is the most important what parents and kids are
younger kids. thing families gain from being interested in. Finding a funding
part of this group? source is also important. We
I enjoy leading a group and collect donations at every family
participating in a group with my fun night to help cover the costs
family. I think for many of our of pizza and activities but we
families the family nights are have been lucky to receive
important to them as their kids support from our church (free
get to see other families that look space and free paper goods for
Meeting the Author, like them and friendships have dinners) and Wisconsin Adoption
Mariama Lockington, of one and Permanency Support has
developed, both kids and adults.
of our recent Book Reads. helped to fund some of our craft
Our parent only events have been
nights.
WISAPSP is happy to be able to and encouragement for families in TBRI and the Gospel
offer an opportunity for their congregation and The simulcast will also include
individuals and families to attend surrounding communities. teaching, insight and more from
this national virtual conference Show Hope Founders Mary Beth
(at their own pace) at a and Steven Curtis Chapman, and
greatly discounted Show Hope Executive
rate - ONLY $10! You Director Emily Chapman
must reside in Richards. Additionally,
Wisconsin in order Daren Jones and
to take advantage of Amanda Purvis from the
this rate. LEARN Karyn Purvis Institute of
MORE OR REGISTER Child Development at
ONLINE TCU will be featured.
The Hope for the Journey Modules will include: You will be emailed a link to the
Conference will equip parents and An intro to TBRI (Trust Based online event , as well as a
caregivers meeting the everyday Relational Intervention) workbook pdf which you can print
needs of children impacted by Connecting Principles out. You will have access to the
adoption and foster care, and Empowering Principles event from April 9th through May
further resource churches in their Correcting Principles 31st, 2021.
endeavors to be beacons of hope
Mark Your Calendar for Saturday, October 30, 2021, Halloween Weekend!
A Place In My Heart Conference will be back at the Wilderness in Wisconsin Dells !
This is a full day adoption-focused conference. Keynote Speaker is Bryan Post. Bryan Post is one
of America's foremost child behavior experts and founder of the Post Institute for Family-
Centered Therapy. The Post Institute works with adults, children and families struggling with
early life trauma and the impact on the development of the mind/body system. He’ll be speaking
on “stress, trauma and the adopted child and showing families how to implement love based
strategies for immediate impact into problem behaviors.”
Check out all of our Spring Activities. To learn more about each event or to register visit
wisapsp.eventbrite.com. Below are in person events, but there are so many additional webinars and
online opportunities listed in Eventbrite. Be sure to check them out! Please RSVP for ALL events as
notifications of any changes or cancellations will, in most cases, be sent to registrants only.
Remember-Please follow COVID-19 safety procedures. Facemasks must continue to be worn at all
personally attended events.
WI Community Activity Date Location Time Cost
Stevens Point Morning Yoga 4/10/2021 Plover Yoga 10:00 am Free
La Crosse Animal Adaptations 4/10/2021 Myrick Park 10:00 am Free
Wausau State Park Family Day 4/24/2021 Rib Mountain State Park 1:00 pm $5
Wausau Pallet Board Painting 4/24/2021 Clay Corner Studio 11:00 am $5
La Crosse Parents Art Night 5/4/2021 All Glazed Up 6:00 pm $5
Oshkosh Educational Fun 5/11/2021 Mtoxins Venom Lab 6:00 pm $0-$5
Rhinelander Coffee Shop Talk 5/15/2021 Crimson Café 9:00 am Free
Urban Ecology Family
Milwaukee 5/22/2021 Urban Ecology Center 1:00 pm Free
Scavenger Hunt
Marshfield Zoo Day 6/5/2021 Wildwood Zoo 11:00 am Free
Janesville Rotary Botanical Gardens 6/6/2021 Rotary Botanical Gardens 12:00 pm $5/family
Summer Kickoff: Family
Eau Claire 6/18/2021 Rod & Gun Park 3:00 pm Free
Craft in the Park
Eau Claire Family Pool Party 7/23/2021 Fairfax Pool 7:00 pm Free
Parents of Older Youth & Teens Caregivers of Younger Children
Birth Parent Support Waiting to Adopt
KINnect Relative Caregivers - Morning KINnect Relative Caregivers - Evening
A monthly virtual support group for relative
caregivers in Wisconsin. Please join us for this
opportunity to connect with other parents and
grandparents as a way to share the joys and
challenges of being a relative caregiver of children.
Single Parent Support Adult Adoptees
An online support group for single adoptive and
guardianship parents. This group will meet via
Zoom on the 4th Tuesday of every month and
will be facilitated by Heather Hansen. Join the
conversation!
The Wisconsin Adoption & Permanency Support Staff are available to assist you!
Please feel free to contact them if you are interested in an event, have a creative
event idea, or would love to learn more about local resources. They are here to serve
you and your family! They would love to hear from you!
Name Service Area Email Phone
Eau Claire & Surrounding Area
833-WIS-APSP
Lydia Deering and lydia@wisapsp.org
Ext. 1
Far Northern Region
833-WIS-APSP
Heather Hansen Green Bay & Surrounding Area heather@wisapsp.org
Ext. 2
833-WIS-APSP
Susan McParker La Crosse & Surrounding Area susan@wisapsp.org
Ext. 3
833-WIS-APSP
Jessica Wright Madison & Surrounding area jessica@wisapsp.org
Ext. 4
833-WIS-APSP
Pattie Godsell Milwaukee & Surrounding Area pattie@wisapsp.org
Ext. 5
833-WIS-APSP
Christy Timm Milwaukee & Surrounding Area christyt@wisapsp.org
Ext. 5
833-WIS-APSP
Chelsey Zommers Wausau & Surrounding Area chelsey@wisapsp.org
Ext. 6
Check out the upcoming family fun events co-sponsored by Jockey Being Family!
WI Community Activity Date Location Time Cost
Appleton 5/23/2021 WI Timber Rattlers 1:05 pm Free
Timber Rattlers! Baseball
Minocqua Family Mini Golf 6/26/2021 Settlers Mill 11:00 am $5
The Rock Sports
Franklin 6/26/2021 6:00 pm Free
Take Me Out to the Ball Game Complex
Onalaska Family Fun Day 7/10/2021 Clearwater Farm 1:00 pm $5
Eau Claire Family Outing: Eau Claire 7/17/2021 Carson Park 6:30 pm Free
Express Game
Green Bay Family Fun at Bay Beach 8/21/2021 Bay Beach Amusement 10:00 am Free
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