Resources for Wisconsin parents who have children with disabilities

Although parents can form a powerful alliance with one another to advocate for inclusive education, additional statewide resources can bolster that advocacy and help support productive communication between parents and educators.

Wisconsin First Step is a statewide information and referral hotline that offers families with children who have special needs an expert resource to answer their questions. The hotline, which operates Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., is monitored by parent specialists who not only have extensive disability knowledge, but also have a child with special needs. Visit their website or call 800-642-7837 for more information.

Wisconsin Special Education Mediation System is a support network that provides mediation and facilitation services to parents and educators who need help resolving special education conflicts. The program provides skilled and trained mediators to improve the resolution process and advocate on the child’s behalf.

Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative uses the valuable partnership between parents and school districts to design and construct resources that foster a healthy relationship to ensure a child’s education is successful. Through networking meetings, conferences, face-to-face contact and media, the Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative promotes a heightened level of communication and information sharing between parents, schools, projects, organizations and agencies. Visit their website or call 877-844-4925 for more information.

Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training and Support (Wisconsin FACETS) receives federal funding that allows the center to offer individual assistance to families through advocacy and resources such as information and referral, workshops and support groups. As part of their training and support program, they also offer parent leadership development to give families the tools to strengthen their own advocacy. Visit their website or call 877-374-0511 for more information.

The Learning Disabilities Association of Wisconsin (LDA) uses advocacy, education, information and research to offer quality and powerful support to children and adults with learning disabilities. By monitoring Special Education Legislation, LDA keeps members abreast of the important legislative action happening at both state and federal levels. Through awareness and an enhanced engagement of communication between parents, adults with learning disabilities, educators and the surrounding community, LDA hopes to enhance the quality of life for individuals with learning disabilities and the families that support them. Visit their website or call 866-532-9472 for more information.

Katie Beckett Program is designed for children living in Wisconsin who have long-term disabilities or significant medical needs who live at home with their families. The program allows children to obtain a Wisconsin Medicaid card, which helps families survive the financial stress of paying for the disability services and equipment used to care for their children. To participate in the program, children must meet a specific set of eligibility requirements. Visit their website or call 608-266-3236 to learn more.

Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program is a public, federally mandated system that provides early intervention services for infants and toddlers who have developmental delays or disabilities and also allows parents to connect with one another. While their main focus is on child and family outcomes, Birth to 3 also provides therapy services, such as occupational and physical therapy, speech-language therapy and oral motor feeding therapy. Visit their website to contact the Birth to 3 agency in your county.