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The Southern Regional Center is now known as the Children's Resource Center-South. We are one of five Children's Resource Centers in Wisconsin.

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Contact Us

Southern Regional Center logoCall: 1-800-532-3321 or 608-265-8610

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Email: crcsouth@waisman.wisc.edu

Other ways to stay updated, informed and involved:

Map of Wisconsin with the 14 counties that are served by the Children's Resource Center South highlighted

The Children’s Resource Center-South is dedicated to supporting all families with children and youth with special health care needs/disabilities and the providers who serve them. We are parents and professionals who can help get answers, find services, connect you to community resources, provide trainings, and support you on your journey. Our Center serves the following counties: Adams, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Grant, Green, Iowa, Juneau, Lafayette, Richland, Rock, Sauk, and Vernon, shown in orange on the map.

Contact information for the other Children’s Resource Centers (CRC)

CRC-Southeast
414-266-6333/800-234-KIDS(5437)
www.southeastregionalcenter.org
email: CRCsoutheast@childrenswi.org

CRC-Northeast
920-969-5325/877-568-5205
www.northeastregionalcenter.org
email: infonerc@chw.org

CRC-North
715-261-1906/866-640-4106
www.crcnorth.org
email: crcnorth@co.marathon.wi.us

CRC-West
715-726-7907/800-400-3678
www.co.chippewa.wi.us/crcwest
email: crcwest@co.chippewa.wi.us

Multiple people putting their hands into the center of a circle.

Featured Resources and Events

March Recommended Book of the Month 

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Check out some suggested reads that you can find at your local library. DD Month 2024

Find it at your local library: Monarch Library SystemPrairie Lakes Library SystemSouth Central Library SystemSouthwest Library SystemWinding Rivers Library SystemWisconsin’s Digital Library

Provided by Sun Prairie Library Youth Services Staff.

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Events

What's New?

Resources for children with special health needs and the families who care for them

Don’t worry about calming the storm. Calm yourself; the storm will pass. -source unknown

Featured Resources and Events – Monday, March 18

⇒Just added Exploring Care Mapping April 30, 5:30-6:30pm, In-person Portage Public Library Registration is required. A hands-on opportunity to create a care map of your family’s strengths. A Care Map is a visual way to show all the people and services involved in caring for and supporting your child. Each family’s care map may look different; you decide how many details to include. Wrap up the session with tying things missing in your family’s Care Map to what is available in your local area. Hand-outs and materials are available at the Wisconsin Medical Home Initiative.

⇒Just added Exploring Care Mapping May 11, 10-11:00am, In-person Beaver Dam Community Library Registration is required A hands-on opportunity to create a care map of your family’s strengths. A Care Map is a visual way to show all the people and services involved in caring for and supporting your child. Each family’s care map may look different; you decide how many details to include. Wrap up the session with tying things missing in your family’s Care Map to what is available in your local area. Hand-outs and materials are available at the Wisconsin Medical Home Initiative.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month CRC-South has partnered with libraries in the Southern Region to highlight books that speak about disabilities and promote inclusion. If you catch your library posting the flyer or having a display, send us pictures with the library’s name to tmarkle@wisc.edu. Also someone shared a great article about Libraries and Autism

Recent recordings and resources

Transition Talks Tuesdays with Columbus School District What’s After High School?; Supported Decision Making; ADRC; Health Care Transition

Conversations on Showing Up for Kids! (Sept-Dec 2023)


Recommended Book of the Month 

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Check out some suggested reads that you can find at your local library. DD Month 2024

Provided by Sun Prairie Library Youth Services Staff. Find it at your local library: Monarch Library SystemPrairie Lakes Library SystemSouth Central Library SystemSouthwest Library SystemWinding Rivers Library SystemWisconsin’s Digital Library

Photo of book covers about developmental disabilitiesShout-out to Marshall Community Library and their display!

 

 

Upcoming Events and Workshops

Section 504: What Parents and Students Need to Know Webinar Mar 19, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Platica Formando Lazos Familiares Martes 19 de Marzo | 6:00 – 7:30 PM en Bridge Lake Point Waunona Neighborhood Center 1917 Lake point Dr, Madison, WI 53713 CÓMO FORTALECER EL DESARROLLO DE LOS
HIJOS ADOLESCENTES DURANTE LOS CAMBIOS DE LA VIDA Si tiene preguntas llame a Celia L. Huerta al 608-333-1250

Balancing Behavior with Relational Attunement Webinar Mar 20, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Webinar: Understanding Moral Injury and the Impact in Supporting Families Mar 20, 1:00pm from NFF

Youth Mental Health & Social Success Series: Digital Consent Rights for Youth with Disabilities (Part 2) Mar 20, 3:45-6:15pm (Virtual) from Great Lakes ROTA-RC

Think Higher. Think College. New Resources and Strategies on College Access for Students with Intellectual Disability Webinar Mar 21, 1:00pm from NTACT:C

CSC Crisis Prevention Summit Mar 21, 8:30am-4:00pm In-person at the Alliant Energy Center (Madison) Registration and Information

Spanish – IEP 2: Special Education Referral Process Webinar Mar 21, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

NFSTAC Family Room with Sue Badeau Mar 21, 3:00-4:00pm Virtual Registration Topic: Social Connections & Networks for Young Adults

Southeast Wisconsin Training Initiative Crisis and Abuse-A Map of the Terrain Mar 22, 12:00-4:00pm at Community Care Waukesha

Learning to Advocate for Children and Families Episode 3: It Takes a Village Mar 26, 11:00am-12:00pm from Brazelton Touchpoints Center

Developmental Screening Opportunity (Virtual, no-cost) Mar 26, 12:00-1:00pm from Wisconsin Medical Home Initiative

Your Voice Matters: Becoming a Family Leader Mar 27, 5:30-6:30pm (virtual) Last Wednesday Learning Session with Family Voices of Wisconsin

Ready Work: Finding and Keeping Integrated Employment with DVR and the Role of Job Developers Apr 2, 6:00-7:00pm (virtual) Registration Students can and should connect with the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) while they are in school. Come and learn how DVR and Vocational Agencies support students in preparing to work, finding work and supporting them at work. We will be joined by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor with DVR and by a representative from a Job Development Agency to help explain their role with DVR. Part of Transition Talks Tuesdays with Columbus School District Transition Program

The Anti-Racist Individualized Education Program (IEP) – Phase 3 Webinar Apr 3, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Espanol IEP 3: Assessment & Eligibility in the IEP Process (Spanish)  – Webinar Apr 4, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

2024 Family Support Community 1st Thursday of the Month (4/4; 5/2) Mid-day sessions via Zoom 11:30am-1:00pm Link to Registration WSPEI (Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative)

2023-24 Comunidad de Apoyo Familia 1er jueves del mes (4/4; 5/2) – Sesiones de medio dia a través  de Zoom 11:30am-1:00pm enclace al registro  WSPEI (Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative)

Grant Writing Tips Apr 8, 11:00am-1:00pm from ROTA-RC

WSEMS: Friendly and Productive IEP’s (Pre-recorded) – Pre-recorded Webinar Apr 8, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Monday Night Transitions Apr 8, May 13  6:15-7:15pm (Virtual) Register for one or many. A chance for families of transition-aged AYA (Adolescents and Young Adults), 12-21years old, with disabilities/special health care needs, to get together and talk transition. Topics could include health care, school, employment, housing, decision making – it’s up to you. We believe families talking with families is the best support possible. The informal discussions will be led by Tim Markle, lived-experience parent with the Southern Regional Center and the Youth Health Transition Initiative. You can show up for one or more discussions.

Navigating the Bus System with Metro Apr 9, 1-5pm Lakeview Library

Employer Panel from the Columbus Area Apr 9, 6:00-7:00pm (virtual) Registration Looking for employers who hire people with disabilities? Want to learn what they do to make it work? Our guests will be from Columbus businesses that work with the Columbus School District Transition Program to help employ students with disabilities. Part of Transition Talks Tuesdays with Columbus School District Transition Program

Self-Awareness: How Emotions, Thoughts, and Behavior Connect (Webinar) Apr 10, 9am-11am from Kentucky Partnership for Families and Children

Supported Decision-Making Training (online) April 10, 1-4pm from WI BPDD

The Family Engagement Community of Practice & Learning 2nd Wednesday via Zoom (4/10) 4-5:30pm Registration A learning community for educators, administrators, statewide agencies, community partners, and families focusing on family-engagement-specific topics. WSPEI (Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative)

Espanol Serving on Groups that Make Decisions: Understanding and Using Data (Section 6) (Spanish)  – Webinar Apr 11, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Looking Ahead: Special Needs Financial Planning for the Future Apr 16, 6:00-7:00pm (virtual) Registration What will happen to your child when you are no longer around to take care of them? How does the ABLE Act of 2014 impact their future? This workshop is designed to help families plan for the financial future of their child(ren), or other dependents, with special needs. Learn about eligibility for government benefits while helping to meet the needs for lifetime of care and quality of life issues. This presentation will cover estate planning, ABLE accounts, guardianship, wills and trusts, and Letter of Intent. Presented by Paul Brokenshire, ChSNC; CEO, Special Needs Planning, LLC. Part of Transition Talks Tuesdays with Columbus School District Transition Program

IEP 101 – Individualized Education Plan In-person Apr 17, 12:30-4:00pm at UW South Madison Partnership $30. Scholarships are available by contacting Tim at tmarkle@wisc.edu before you register.

Preparing for Smooth and Successful Grade-Level Transitions  Webinar Apr 17, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Espanol Reevaluation & Independent Educational Evaluations  – Webinar Apr 18, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Navigating the Bus System with Metro Apr 18, 1-5pm Lakeview Library

Transportation Options with Metro Transit (including paratransit) Apr 23, 10am-12pm Lakeview Library

Proactive and Positive Family and School Relationships Webinar Apr 24, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Did You Know? Now You Know! Apr 24, 5:30-6:30pm (virtual) Last Wednesday Learning Session with Family Voices of Wisconsin

Espanol Serving on Groups that Make Decisions: The Role of Families & Skills for Serving on Groups (Sections 7 & 8) (Spanish)  – Webinar Apr 25, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

35th Annual Conference from Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin Apr 25-27, Kalahari Resorts in the WI Dells Registration is open!

2024 Tourette Connect Conference Apr 27, 9:00am-4:00pm in-person Great Wolf Lodge in Gurnee, IL

Supporting Literacy at Home During the Summer (Rescheduled from 5/7/2024) Webinar Apr 30, 12:00pm from WI FACETS

Exploring Care Mapping April 30, 5:30-6:30pm, In-person Portage Public Library Registration is required. A hands-on opportunity to create a care map of your family’s strengths. A Care Map is a visual way to show all the people and services involved in caring for and supporting your child. Each family’s care map may look different; you decide how many details to include. Wrap up the session with tying things missing in your family’s Care Map to what is available in your local area. Hand-outs and materials are available at the Wisconsin Medical Home Initiative.

Exploring Care Mapping May 11, 10-11:00am, In-person Beaver Dam Community Library Registration is required A hands-on opportunity to create a care map of your family’s strengths. A Care Map is a visual way to show all the people and services involved in caring for and supporting your child. Each family’s care map may look different; you decide how many details to include. Wrap up the session with tying things missing in your family’s Care Map to what is available in your local area. Hand-outs and materials are available at the Wisconsin Medical Home Initiative.

Circles of Life Conference May 16-17, Holiday Inn Convention Center in Stevens Point. Registration is open. Sibshops will be available. Find out more about this annual conference for families who have children with disabilities and the professionals who serve them.

Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health May 21, 9:30-11:30am (Virtual) WISE Coalition

Introduction to the Children’s Long-Term Supports Program May 29, 5:30-6:30pm (virtual) Last Wednesday Learning Session with Family Voices of Wisconsin

The Tourette Syndrome Camp Organization (TSCO) will host the 31st Annual Tourette Syndrome Camp USA from Sunday, June 23, 2024, until Saturday, June 29, 2024, at YMCA Camp Duncan in Ingleside, Illinois. Our program is designed for children ages 7-16 with Tourette Syndrome and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.  The cost for this program is $715.  We have financial aid available and have never turned away a family in need. Please see our website for more information about 2024 camp after January 1, 2024. Our website is. www.tourettecamp.com

Community of Practice for the Ages and Stages Questionnaire for professionals June 27, 1:00-2:00pm contact Ashley Barlow

Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health August 20, 9:30-11:30am (Virtual) WISE Coalition

Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Mental Health Nov 19, 9:30-11:30am (Virtual) WISE Coalition

Other information for the Week of March 11

Troops Weigh Leaving Service Over Lack of Care for Kids With Autism Under Tricare from the War Horse

SibNews News for and about siblings of people with disabilities Vol. 22, Issue 1 March-May 2024 — Learn about the new Madison Area Coordinator

New Resource: Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs and Centers for Independent Living: A Partnership Worth Pursuing

Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research

  • Adulting Shorts Comic: Let’s Talk About Workplace Accommodations
  • STAY Tuned Podcast
  • Young Adult Meme Corner

Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health Newsletter – March 2024

  • Healing Centered Engagement-Start by Building Empathy
  • Lived Experience Insights
  • March Social Connectiveness of Youth Convening – The Power of Supportive Adults Mar 20, 12:00-1:15pm
  • Showcasing Solutions
  • May 5-12 is Children’s Mental Health Week
  • Infant and Toddler Mental Health Fact Sheet Available in Spanish and Hmong
  • Explore the Impact of Violence
  • Legislative and Policy Updates
  • April is Family Strengthening Month in Wisconsin
  • Behavioral Health Strategy Guide
  • LGBTQIA2S+ Practice Community
  • Roadmap for School Mental Health System Improvement
  • Unconscious Bias Infographic

Other information for the Week of March 4

Understanding Grief: Navigating Loss and Prolonged Grief Disorder from Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment

The Miracle League of Dane County: A Baseball Program for Children with Disabilities in Dane County and Surrounding Areas Registration is now open!

The Miracle League of Dane County: 2024 Season Call for Volunteers

Spring Arts Classes from Arts for All Wisconsin are starting: Visual Arts; Music; Dance

Check out activities from Wisconsin’s Autism Societies — South Central, Southeastern, Greater Wisconsin

Employment Opportunity as Program Coordinator for Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin

CLTS Program survey open until March 17 — You are invited to take this short survey to share your input on what information is helpful for participants and families to have when enrolled in the CLTS Program.

programa CLTS encuesta Estará disponible hasta el 17 de Marzo de 2024 — Las invitamos a responder esta breve encuesta para dar su opinión sobre la información que resulta útil para los participantes y las familias al momento de inscribirse en el programa CLTS.

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Other information for the Week of February 26

WI FACETS Family Engagement Newsletter March 2024

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities (Boletin informativo de BPDD) March 2024

  • March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
  • Disability Advocacy Day March 20th–last day to register is March 1
  • What’s the Word? — BPDD Vice Chair Felicia Clayborne
  • Living Well – Know Your Rights Webinar for Family Members — April 24, 12-1pm
  • Supported Decision-Making Webinar – April 10th 1-4pm
  • Self-Determination Conference (Oct 22-23) Presenter and Sponsorship Applications open
  • Partners with Business – Request for Proposals open for schools
  • Youth Leadership Forum (July 6-12) Applications open until March 15th/Staff applications due April 1st
  • Self-Determination YouTube Channel

The Regulated Classroom: Empowering Educators and Engaging Students, with Emily Daniels podcast with Dr. Emily

The Role of The HHS Office for Civil Rights in Advancing Rights for Disabled Parents: Safeguards in Child Welfare Cases Recorded webinar available

Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research — National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) Awareness Week (Feb 26-March 3, 2024) resources

Unlocking Potential: Innovative Library Programs Enhancing the Lives of Autistic Individuals from Library Science Degrees Online

Things to Remember

  • 2023-2024 Family Support Community Virtual First Wednesday of the month 4:00-5:30pm or First Thursday of the month 11:30am-1:00pm The Family Support Community will allow participants to engage in positive problem solving with others in a solutions-based format. Meetings will allow for networking, learning, and peer support. Learning topics will be determined based upon members’ needs and interests. From the Wisconsin Statewide Parent Educator Initiative (WSPEI)
  • Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program is committed to serving children under the age of 3 with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. We value your family’s primary relationship with your child and work in partnership with your family. We work to enhance your child’s development and support your family’s knowledge, skills, and abilities as you interact with and raise your child. Learn more at Wisconsin Wayfinder.
  • Katie Beckett Medicaid provides access to Wisconsin Medicaid services for children with disabilities, mental illness, or complex medical needs. Katie Beckett helps some children whose parents have too high of an income for Medicaid, and those covered by private insurance, get a ForwardHealth Medicaid card so they can receive needed services and equipment that might not otherwise be covered. They will be connected with an eligibility specialist who will explain the Medicaid benefit and help the family decide if they want to pursue enrollment. Learn more at Wisconsin Wayfinder.
  • Disability Information and Access Line Help with COVID-19 vaccinations for people with disabilities from Administration for Community Living
  • Dane County Behavioral Health Resource Center — If you, someone you care about, or someone you are working with needs help finding mental health and/or substance use services in Dane County. The BHRC phone line is available Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm at (608) 267-2244; Email the BHRC at BHRC@countyofdane.com
  • Vernon, Crawford, Grant, Richland, Iowa, Lafayette, Juneau, Adams, Sauk, Columbia, Green, Rock— Did you know the Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) is a free program that provides Wisconsin’s early childhood care and education providers with information on best practices related to child health and safety? Through this program, early care and education (ECE) providers can receive free health consultations, on-demand training, and tailored resources surrounding best practices for health and safety needs at their child care facilities. For more information we invite you to visit the ECHC websitewebinars, and podcasts.

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Interested in participating in research?

 Research Studies: Up to date listing of Waisman Center studies that are currently recruiting

Dr. Audra Sterling and the Research in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities and Language Lab at the Waisman Center are recruiting individuals to participate in a longitudinal study investigating the relationship between language development and executive function.
Our study is currently recruiting:
  • Boys with fragile X syndrome between the ages of 9 to 17 years speaking in at least 2-3 word phrases
  • Boys and girls with developmental language disorder ages 4 to 8 years with no known history of other disorders

More information

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School Information, Guidance and Resources for COVID-19–now on our School/Special Education Page

For more information please go to our School/Special Education page.

Waisman Center Resources and Updates for COVID-19

WI DHS Higher Risk/Families with CYSHCN Resources for COVID-19

Here are some current updates:

Several new versions of the family decision making tool available via our ReSET webpage (www.reset4kids.org):

  • a Spanish version
  • a fillable Word document that is more user-friendly

As you all are experiencing, the announcement by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in a media briefing on Friday, February 25, 2022 has dramatically changed the COVID mitigation landscape, including how to mitigate the spread of infection in schools. At this time there is no targeted guidance from the CDC other than the media briefing and this new COVID-19 Community Levels webpage.

DPI’s COVID-19 Infection Control and Mitigation Measures for Wisconsin School 2021-2022 is pulled from access. The document will be revised in the next few days, hopefully with more direction from the CDC. Resources below will hopefully be updated in the near future. For now, they are for historical reference.

COVID-19 Webinar for Local Public Health and School Stakeholders (1.26.22)

WI Department of Health Services Clinical Guidance for vaccinating 5-11 year olds (11.5.21)

Safe, Strong & Healthy Schools with Wisconsin doctors, educators, scientists, and leaders exploring the ways that schools and districts can build and maintain “Safe, Strong & Healthy Schools”

ReSET (Restarting Safe Education & Testing) for Children with Medical Complexity from Healthy Kids Collaborative Dane County

Guidance for COVID-19 Prevention in K-12 Schools (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-guidance.html

Overview of COVID-19 Isolation for K-12 Schools (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-isolation.html

Overview of COVID-19 Quarantine for K-12 Schools (1/6):  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/about-quarantine.html

Responding to COVID-19 Cases in K-12 Schools: Resources for School Administrators (1/6)https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/k-12-contact-tracing/guide.html

What You Should Know About COVID-19 Testing in Schools (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/what-you-should-know.html

Schools, Child Care, and Colleges (1/6): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/schools-childcare/index.html

Wisconsin Well Badger Resource Center is a statewide public health Information and Referral (I&R) service and resource program offering a toll free phone line and website for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs and more. Well Badger is staffed to provide information and referrals with a deliberate focus to engage high-risk populations and for those with special needs.

The WI Children’s Mental & Behavioral Health Navigator is a free, confidential, online tool designed to help parents, caregivers and professionals in Wisconsin navigate (find, access, pay for) mental and behavioral health services and support for children, adolescents and young adults under the age of 21. Just answer a few questions about the child, and the Navigator provides a customized guide to connect kids and families with the resources and support they need and deserve.

Website: https://wellbadger.org/
Phone: 1-800-642-7837

The Southern Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs tries to help families, and the professionals who support them, through providing current resources, news articles, interesting items and more. We post “What’s New” on our home page each week. We regularly post this content and more on our Facebook page. We send out a weekly Resource Round-up on Fridays (send an email with Weekly Resource Round-up in the Subject Line to cyshcn@waisman.wisc.edu to join).We bring together the “What’s New” resources by topic and place them on the Resources page. We hope you can find some help, encouragement, or just information on this page. New content is added regularly.