Welcome to Wisconsin Kids!
This section is devoted to finding homes for Wisconsin’s wonderful waiting children.
Funding for this section is provided by the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Children and Family Services. We also recommend you visit their site at www.dhfs.state.wi.us.
Here you will find descriptions and photos of Wisconsin children waiting for homes. All the children listed need caring families who will give them the love, security and support they need to grow into healthy adults. We invite you to learn more about adoption and what you can do to help give these children the homes they deserve.
The write-up for each child is a brief introduction utilizing information provided by the agency responsible for the child’s care and placement. Each write-up is developed to balance the need for important placement considerations with a need for sensitivity to the situation. For example, a history of abuse or neglect may not be legally established. Children, their friends, or birth family members may read the descriptions. Therefore, no write-up is represented as providing complete information, or in some cases, accurate information. New or updated information about children and their social/medical history is regularly received by the placing agency. Families are advised to inquire about further details during the pre-placement process. Agencies are required to fully disclose known social, medical, and genetic information at the time of placement.
When you look at the faces of the children, it is sometimes difficult to remember that they all have special needs. Each and every child has a history of past moves, hurts or difficulties. To help you better understand the write-ups on the children and their special needs we have listed some common words and expressions used throughout these pages. We invite you to learn more about our children and their special needs. Maybe you could provide a family to a child with special needs.
Where do these children come from?
Children who are waiting for a family could come from a variety of situations. Many of the children listed are currently in a foster home. This could be their only placement from first being moved from their family of origin, or it could be only one in a series of moves the child has experienced. Sometimes, the children come from a previous adoptive placement which didn’t work out. Other times, a child may need special therapy which they receive in a residential treatment center or group home. No matter what their present situation is, all these children are waiting for the stability of a permanent family.
How do children get listed on www.wiadopt.org?
Under State Law, listing on www.wiadopt.org is a special tool that can be used by agencies to find permanence for children with special needs. For some children a termination of parental rights (TPR) has already occurred, which means they are legally free to be adopted. For some other children, they are still in "Legal Transition". "Legal Transition" is a term meaning that the termination of parental rights for the parents of this child is not yet completed. Some judges want to list a child before they terminate parental rights to ensure that there are families who are interested in adopting the child. While some parents may contest the termination of their rights in court, many do not. Therefore, although this child is not yet legally free for adoption, the legal process has begun and this child should not be overlooked as a potential child for your family! Please contact us if you have a question as to the situation of a particular child.
What if I see a child I would like to adopt?
If you have a completed, up-to-date adoption study by a licensed adoption agency call our office at 414-475-1246 or 1-800-762-8063 in Wisconsin or contact us at info@wiadopt.org. We will give you some additional information about the child and help you contact the child’s social worker.
What happens if I live out of state?
We appreciate and encourage your interest in helping children find permanent homes.
Your inquiry will be considered along with inquiries from other states and families living within Wisconsin. However, be advised that in some cases it is important that a child maintain contact with relatives or other significant persons in their lives, and these ties may be a factor in the selection of a family. The adopting family often has a role in maintaining and nurturing those connections.
We can provide helpful information to assist your decision about pursuing adoption of a child living in Wisconsin. All families requesting detailed information about specific waiting children are expected to have a current, approved adoption home study. If you do not already have a current study, we can help you connect with appropriate agencies in your state. Please address your questions to us at info@wiadopt.org or call us at 414-475-1246.
You may also want to visit the National Adoption Center’s website. Their "Faces of Adoption" program photolists children from all over the United States, and perhaps your home state, much like those on our website. They can be located at www.adoptuskids.org.
What happens after I express interest in a child? What steps is the social worker taking?
Families often wonder what happens after they express interest about a particular child. The Network staff has talked to an enthusiastic family. The family has an approved adoption study that is current or has adopted in the past. They have called the social worker and expressed their interest. The social worker answered their questions and requested that their adoption study be sent in. So what happens next?
1. Many families are calling the social worker
The social worker is talking to a number of families during this time. Some families were studied by the agency making the placement. Other adoption agencies may be referring families. Adoption Resources of Wisconsin is referring families to the social worker. It often adds up to many phone calls for a busy social worker. They may not be able to return your phone call right away!
2. Getting to know the child
The worker is also continuing to get to know the child and their placement needs. Social workers don’t always have complete histories on children when they are referred for adoptive placements. Workers are gathering available information on the children, their genetic and social histories, school information, and other helpful data. They are talking to the foster parents. They are getting evaluations from mental health professionals, schools, doctors, etc. They rely extensively on the county foster care worker for input. They visit with the child on a regular basis. They may be working on the child’s lifebook, an album of information and photos that helps a child think about their past life and prepare for a new family. They will be building a relationship with the child to evaluate what type of family would best suit him/her.
3. Adoption studies are being investigated
Adoptive family studies are being read and evaluated. They are looking at strengths and weaknesses. Can this family handle a child who has night terrors? Can this family care for a child with ADHD and still meet the needs of existing family members? The child’s worker is not only reading the adoption study but also trying to find the "best fit" for a child. They may talk to the adoption study worker to learn more about a family.
4. Potential family is selected
A worker will discuss the most appropriate families with their supervisor and/or a team of adoption staff. Then the worker will contact the most appropriate family and discuss the child in depth. They may meet a number of times to share information on the child and possibly do an introductory meeting. The worker does not inform other family they will not likely be approached for placement of the child until a final placement decision is made.
During this time period, if you call Adoption Resources of Wisconsin, we may tell you that the child is on "hold". We will still keep your information in case that families are still needed.
5. Final decision made and placement is made
The family and agency make a final decision. Preplacement visits are made and the child is placed with the adoptive family after a suitable amount of "getting to know you" time. It is important for the child to be comfortable with the family and be reassured. It is important for the selected family to have had their questions answered before placement. Families not selected for this child will be notified soon after the actual placement.
So – what do you do during this time? Please call Adoption Resources of Wisconsin. We keep in continuing contact with the children’s workers. We usually know where the worker is in the process. Occasionally, things don’t proceed smoothly. Changes in permanency plans or changes in behavior may mean that adoption is delayed or is no longer the plan. Whatever happens, know that the best interests of the child are always the most important factor in everyone’s mind. Call us–and we can help you "hang in there" during this exciting, sometimes extended, process.
What if I don't have an adoption study done yet?
If you do not have an adoption study, call our office or look at our web site to receive information regarding the adoption study process, a list of adoption agencies that can do adoption studies and other information. Because the social workers for the children would like to place them with families as soon as possible, they need a complete adoption study to help determine whether a family is a good match for the child.
You must choose the adoption agency. In Wisconsin, the Department of Health and Family Services, Division of Children and Family Services provides adoption services at locations throughout the state.
Some private adoption agencies in Wisconsin do special needs adoption studies. Contact Adoption Resources of Wisconsin and we will be glad to give you a list of all the agencies.
DHFS Division of Children and Family Services offices:
Eau
Claire |
715-836-3399 |
Green
Bay |
920-448-5312 |
Madison |
608-243-2400 |
Milwaukee |
414-475-2220 |
Families are urged to call the nearest location listed above for information on informational meetings.
www.wiadopt.org introduces you to a group of children currently needing families. It is possible that a child you’ve seen in May have a family before you are able to complete your adoption study.
While you are having your adoption study completed, take advantage of this training.
Wisconsin Technical Colleges offer a course entitled "Adopting A Child with Special Needs" that helps prospective adoptive parents prepare for parenting an adopted child. The class is helpful to all prospective adoptive parents since it looks at common adjustment issues faced by all adoptive families. The challenges of adopting a child with special needs are addressed. The course is taught by professional adult educators, and is available to families in rural and urban areas.
This curriculum helps parents considering special needs adoption to look at the unique experiences and challenges facing adoptive parents, as well as the specialized skills required to successfully parent a child, including a child with special needs. The curriculum explores the major issues in adoption and helps prepare families for the adoption process. As parents advance through the training they will form a better concept of their own strengths, needs, and challenges, what type of child they can parent, and how current and new resources can support them. When training concludes, parents should be better prepared to decide whether they could make a lifelong commitment to a child with special needs.
Contact the college nearest you to learn when the next class will be offered in your community.
What should we do after we’re an approved adoptive family and waiting for a child?
Adoptive families – like all families – are anxious for a child to arrive. Sometimes it seems like it takes a long time. There are many things that you, as a pre-adoptive family, can do to keep preparing yourself for a new child.
Volunteer: Volunteer with children. Investigate opportunities in your community that give you the chance to help children. Is there some respite you can do for another adoptive family? Can you help out with Special Olympics? Can you help foster parents in your county? Volunteer for Big Brothers, Big Sisters, 4-H, Scouts, or your local school. Whatever the opportunity, it will help you gain skills in working with kids.
Conferences: Learn more about adoption. There are many opportunities throughout the year for conferences. See the calendar for more information on theses great conferences and educational opportunities.
Support Groups: Join a support group. There are numerous adoptive parents and foster parent support groups in the state. Call Adoption Resources of Wisconsin for the name of a group close to you. If you have never understood the effects of abuse on a child's life, it is important to learn from families who have parented children with this history. You can learn much from these talented parents! Many children have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). There are a number of support groups just for families of ADHD children.
Books to read: Read some great adoption books. Here are some titles for you:
Adoption and the Family System by Miriam Reitz and Ken Watson
Adopting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck and Regina Kupecky
Toddler Adoption by Mary Hopkins-Best
Being Adopted by David Brodzinsky, Marshall Schechter and Robin Marantz Henig
Real Parents, Real Children by Holly Van Gulden and Lisa Bartels-Rabb
Post Adoption Resources: Families are encouraged to call our toll-free phone number (Wisconsin only 1-800-762-8063) to receive information regarding post-adoption services in their area. Also see the section titled Post Adoption Resource Center's for statewide resources on this site. The Adoption Resources of Wisconsin maintains a computerized directory of services available to adoptive families including therapists, support groups, and many other resources.
Family Resource Center: The Family Resource Center at Adoption Resources of Wisconsin maintains an extensive audiotape / videotape and book library which contains hundreds of resources on adoption issues by national experts. They are loaned to families and professionals for information and training purposes. The Family Resource Center also sponsors monthly activities for families, which promote and strengthen family bonds. The Family Resource Center is a great place to obtain both pre and post adoption information. Want to know more about topics like this?
Anger management
Search and open adoption issues
Selecting a therapist
Sibling issues
Call us for more information and help from our Family Resource Center.
Informational Materials: Each year, Adoption Resources of Wisconsin produces and distributes brochures and informational materials for families and professionals.
Conferences: Adoption Resources of Wisconsin plans conferences that bring national experts like Nancy Thomas and Ken Watson to Wisconsin and we work with agencies and support groups to help sponsor conferences. These conferences help train mental health professionals, adoption professionals, foster families, and adoptive families on a variety on adoption issues.
Special Events: Adoption Resources of Wisconsin coordinates special events to celebrate adoptive families and adoption, in particular events around National Adoption Month.
