Autism Acceptance Month and 2023 Year of Mental Health (in Wisconsin)
Governor Tony Evers declared 2023 to be the Year of Mental Health. The Southern Regional Center would like to use this Autism Acceptance Month to highlight the intersection of the many aspects of Autism with the many aspects of Mental Health. All Conversations on Showing Up for Kids! are free. The Autism and Suicide event is free. You do need to register to receive the Zoom link. All gatherings are on line. If you have any questions, please email cyshcn@waisman.wisc.edu.
Most Conversations take place on Wednesdays from 12:00-12:45 but we have so many you will need to check dates and times! Check dates and times for other events and gatherings.
Connect with us
Call: 1-800-532-3321 or 608-265-8610 Please leave a message. If you could spell out your email address in your message, that will help us to follow up with you more quickly. When we call back, we may call from a number that shows as blocked. We use a Language Line for translating languages other than English.
Email: cyshcn@waisman.wisc.edu
Who we are
The Southern Regional Center (SRC) is dedicated to supporting all families with children and youth with special health care needs/disabilities and the providers who serve them. The SRC is staffed by specialists 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.
Stay updated, informed and involved
The Southern Regional Center (SRC) uses a listserv to inform families about upcoming trainings and events in our region and opportunities for state and national input. Families have joined us in reviewing the Navigation Guide and starting Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Send an email to join-src4family@lists.wisc.edu. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernRegionalCenter
Featured Resources and Events
Check out Autism Acceptance Month and 2023 Year of Mental Health (in Wisconsin) events, Conversations, webinars and a fantastic workshop!
April Recommended Book of the Month – provided by E.D. Locke Public Library Youth Services staff (and others)
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen by Sarah Kapit, a chapter book, tells the fictional story of eleven-year-old knuckleball pitcher Vivy Cohen, who has autism, throws a mean knuckleball, and yearns to play baseball. In the story, Vivy becomes pen pals with her favorite Major League baseball player after writing a letter to him as an assignment for her social skills class.
Upcoming trainings/events/gatherings from Southern Regional Center and our partners!
TTT Vernon/Crawford: Ready to Work
Commonly used referral forms:
Physician Referral Form to the Southern Regional Center
WIC Referral Form
ADRC Referral Form
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 — Friday, March 31
Check out Autism Acceptance Month and 2023 Year of Mental Health (in Wisconsin) events, Conversations, webinars and a fantastic workshop!
Ready to Work: Finding and Keeping Employment (virtual) Apr 4, 6:00-7:00pm 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. Part of Transition Talks Tuesdays: Vernon and Crawford
Coffee Chats (in-person) Apr 5, 8:30-9:30am Coffee4All [2300 US Highway 51 and 138 Ste F, Stoughton, WI 53589] April is Autism Acceptance Month–come meet Tim’s son Hunter as he talks about being on the spectrum.
April Recommended Book of the Month – provided by E.D. Locke Public Library Youth Services staff
Get a Grip, Vivy Cohen by Sarah Kapit, a chapter book, tells the fictional story of eleven-year-old knuckleball pitcher Vivy Cohen, who has autism, throws a mean knuckleball, and yearns to play baseball. In the story, Vivy becomes pen pals with her favorite Major League baseball player after writing a letter to him as an assignment for her social skills class.
Upcoming webinars/trainings/conversations/gatherings
Autism Acceptance Day at the Capitol Aug 4, 12:00pm Please join Wisconsin Autism Society Affiliates for an Autism Acceptance Day in the Senate Parlor at the Capitol in Madison.
The official presentation and Autism Acceptance Month proclamation will begin at noon and will include remarks from Senator Jacque, Senator Agard, Autism Society representatives, and Autistic advocates.
Attendees are encouraged to make an appointment with their legislators in their Madison Office after the event to share their story and experiences.
Human-Centered Design for a World Without Racism Apr 12, 2:00-3:00pm from Brazelton Learning to Listen
Thinking About Supported Decision Making Apr 26, 12:00-1:00pm via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84247074502 Meeting ID: 842 47074502 Phone option: (312)626-6799 from Family Voices of Wisconsin
Free to Be Who You Are: Autism Treatment through a Neurodiversity Lens (webinar) Apr 26, 6:00-7:00pm for Parents from KGH Autism Services
State of Black Students at MMSD — Community Engagement Session Apr 29, 12:00-2:30 (Lunch provided) Registration Held at Madison College, 2429 Perry Street. Come join the dialogue with Black Educational Experts on How to Help Our Children Succeed.
“Advances in Epilepsy Treatment” Conference May 5 Inperson or online
Circles of Life statewide conference for families who have children with disabilities and the professionals who support them May 11 & 12 — Wilderness Resort, WI Dells Registration is open. CLTS and Scholarships available. Flyer
The Importance of Joint Attention in Early Intervention for Autism (webinar) May 23, 7:00-8:00pm for Parents from KGH Autism Services
Your Place at the Table May 31, 5:00-6:00pm via Zoom at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84247074502 Meeting ID: 842 47074502 Phone option: (312)626-6799 from Family Voices of Wisconsin
A Celebration of Trails Jun 24, 12:30-3:00pm Family friendly, inclusive activities — Pheasant Branch Conservancy/Orchid Heights Park
Other Information for the Week of March 27
Health Care Changes Too! Bridging the Gap from Adolescent to Adult Health Care (virtual) Mar 28, 2023 Recording Resource Sheet Slides As we look ahead to our students/children turning 18, we need to keep an eye on health care. What steps need to be taken to move into the world of adult health care? What skills can be taught (even in middle school)? How can we tell what a student needs to know? Part of Transition Talks Tuesdays: Vernon and Crawford
Creating Goals for Children: Using Goal Cards Mar 29, 2023 Recording Resource Sheet Creating goals for children isn’t easy. This online application at Creating Goals for Children (wisc.edu), can offer some support by walking you through several examples. It also provides a document of the goals you’ve chosen to share with others. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Other Information for the Week of March 20
How can School Nurses be a part of Transition Planning? March 22, 2023 Recording Resource Sheet Join Louise Wilson, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction School Nurse Consultant, to talk about the overall role of school nurses and how they can be a critical part of successfully transition student from High School into adult life. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Special Needs Financial Planning Mar 21, 2023 Recording Resource Sheet Slides Have you been searching for special needs financial planning help? Not many people that can answer your families’ specific questions? Families need help with the financial planning for income, health care, assets, and housing. Join us for a discussion on Special Needs Financial planning to see how to begin your child’s planning and how your own planning is just as important. Part of Transition Talks Tuesdays: Vernon and Crawford
All in for Kids: CLTS newsletter is now available online in English, Hmong, and Spanish
- COVID-19 temporary policies will end for the CLTS Program
- Katie Beckett Medicaid
- Preparing youth for employment
- Take the Deciding Together survey and share your experiences
- The 2023 Circles of Life Conference
- Meet Norah and learn how the CLTS Program has helped her family
- The CLTS Program wants to hear your family stories – information on how to send in your family’s story and photo
- Helpful resources for families
All in For Kids: Birth to 3 Program newsletter is now available in English, Hmong, and Spanish
- Katie Beckett Medicaid
- Fun things for families to do this spring
- Family engagement
- What is family engagement?
- Why is family engagement important?
- Ways families can best engage with the Birth to 3 Program
- The 2023 Circles of Life Conference
- Meet Bella and learn how the Birth to 3 Program has helped her family
- The Birth to 3 Program wants to feature your family stories and photos:
- Information on how to send in your family’s stories and photos
- Helpful resources for families
Other Events and Information for the Week of March 13
Applications are now being accepted for the 2023 AAIDD-WI Don Anderson Student Scholarship. The scholarship recognizes students that are pursuing career interest and scholarly work in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Students’ Strengths + Business Need =Inclusive Employment Success Mar 15, 2023 Recording Resource Sheet Virtual Come join us and hear a practical story of how a small rural school and a local business partnered to successfully fill a need using inclusive employment Part of Harnessing Abilities: Rounding Up Resources
Emergency Respite Funding and More with Respite Care Association of Wisconsin March 15, 2023 Recording Resource Sheet Join Respite Care Association of Wisconsin and learn about their new available to fund emergency respite care and learn about their other programs available in Wisconsin. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
Higher Education Options: What do I Need to Know? March 14, 2023 Recording Resource Sheet Slides Come learn about some of the options and some of the supports if a student wants to go to college. Part of Transition Talks Tuesdays: Vernon/Crawford Counties
Updates to the CLTS Waiver Program Mar 8, 2023 Recording Resource Sheet Slides Many families count on the Children’s Long-Term Support Waiver Program to provide support. Come join Lori Garsow and Jessica Holland, from the Bureau of Children’s Services, and learn about some changes to the program for 2023. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!
What Parents Raising Neurodivergent Kids Worry About from Learn with Dr. Emily
Lion’s Summer Camps — some still have space
OCALI online (Nov 14-17) Call for Proposals is open! Deadline is March 31
Resources Highlight Issues Related to Upcoming Insurance Changes (from Lucille Packard Foundation)
- Public Health Emergency and Continuous Coverage Unwinding Resources – from the National Health Law Program
- Unwinding Resources – from the Georgetown Center for Children and Families
- Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap – from the US Department of Health and Human Services
- Public Health Emergency Unwinding Resources – from the Kaiser Family Foundation
Voting News from the Disability Vote Coalition — April 4th Spring Election
Other Events and Information for the Week of March 6
WI FACETS March Family Engagement Newsletter
- The Importance of Vision Screening for Young Children
- Events Calendar
- Childrens’ Activity Calendar
- Upcoming State Events
- Information and Resources and Research
WI BPDD March Newsletter — Boletín de Marzo en Español
- March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- What’s the Word?
- Disability Votes Lunch and Learn — March 20
- Living Well Project and Self-Determination Channel – Know Your Rights Videos
- Youth Leadership Forum 2023 – Applications Open
- Circles of Life conference- Registration Open
- Save the Date: Self-Determination Conference 2023: October 16-18, 2023
How to Teach Your Neurodivergent Child to Travel from Learn with Dr. Emily
What Parents Raising Neurodivergent Kids Worry About from Learn with Dr. Emily
Supporting Healthy Black Families Workgroups begin in March with Urban Triage
Supporting Healthy Black Agriculture begins in the Spring with Urban Triage
Research: Motor Development in Children and Adults with an autism spectrum diagnosis contact brainymovtstudy@waisman.wisc.edu for more information.
Things to Remember
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 on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.
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. To apply, families can call 888-786-3246. 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 on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services website.
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
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Research Studies: Up to date listing of Waisman Center studies that are currently recruiting
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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.