The Southern Regional Center is open, but we are working remotely. You may call 608-265-8610 or 800-532-3321 and 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. If you cannot wait and have a more immediate need for health information and referral, you could call the Well Badger Resource Center at 800-642-7837.

Would you like to stay updated and informed? We send out a weekly resource roundup. Email cyshcn@waisman.wisc.edu and ask to join the SRC4family listserv. You can also “Follow” us on Facebook for even more information.

NEW website holding information on Conversations on Showing Up for Kids! Check out this easy way to listen into conversations that might help you. https://cyshcn.waisman.wisc.edu/conversations-on-showing-up-for-kids/

Connect With Us

wisconsin southern region map
Our Southern Regional 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 the Southern Regional Center.
Call: 1-800-532-3321
Email: cyshcn@waisman.wisc.edu

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. In 2020, families joined us in reviewing the Navigation Guide and starting Conversations on Showing Up for Kids! Do you want to stay informed and get involved? Send an email to join-src4family@lists.wisc.edu. You can unsubscribe at any time.

If you need to contact another regional center, please download a brochure at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/publications/p4/p40051.pdf

Commonly Used Referral Forms

Physician Referral Form to the Southern Regional Center
WIC Referral Form
ADRC Referral Form

Up to Me: Starting the Conversation Webinars

People with mental health challenges and those that support them face decisions everyday about what to say to friends, family, and others about their experiences. Whether their loved one is returning from treatment, exhibited some mental health symptoms, or is asked about a behavior someone has noticed, knowing how to decide if and what they want to say can be key to moving forward with their recovery. If they choose to disclose, having an answer that points to their or their loved one’s strength and resilience is empowering.

Monthly Webinars January - June

Up to Me: Starting the Conversation Series on supporting families facing mental health challenges.

Defining Stigma Feb 14, 12:00-12:30pm
Self Stigma and its’ Impact on You Mar 14, 12:00-12:30pm
Different Types of Disclosure April 11, 12:00-12:30pm
How to Disclose May 9, 12:00-12:30pm
Your Child’s Story Jun 13, 12:00-12:30pm

Focus on FASD
(Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder)

Advancing FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act (FASD Respect Act) A bill that will bring Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) into the forefront of our health, education, social welfare, and justice systems.

Upcoming Free Webinars on FASD

How to Talk to Policymakers About Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Jan 20, 1:00-2:30 CT

9 Core Messages: What Everyone Should Know About Prenatal Alcohol Exposure Jan 27 1:00-2:30pm CT

More information on FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act (FASD Respect Act)

Learn about this bill (Senate Bill S.2238 and House Bill H.R.4151). You can read more about the bill on the NOFAS website HERE.

Contact jwille@orchidsfasdservices.org if you would like to receive a recording of a meeting going over the bill and discuss what impact it could have for us in Wisconsin.

What’s New

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

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

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

Waisman Center Resources and Updates for COVID-19

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

Spotlight for Fri, Jan 14

Basics of Birth to 3 January 19, 12:00-12:45pm Registration We will joined by Regena Sambou-Floyd, Children and Program Specialist from the Birth to 3 Program. We will be talking about what is Birth to 3? Who is for? How can someone enroll? Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!

Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Autism (Virtual) Jan 22, 9:00am-10:30am Registration and more information

Upcoming webinars/trainings/conversations/gatherings

Camp Phoenix (Epilepsy Summer Camp) registration opens January 17

WSEMS: Mediation Jan 18, 12:00-1:00pm

Employment and Epilepsy – What You Should Know (online) Jan 20, 6:30pm from Epilepsy Foundation of Wisconsin

Waisman Center Day with the Experts: Autism (Virtual) Jan 22, 9:00am-10:30am Registration and more information

Project SEARCH (Janesville) Information Night Jan 24, 6-7:30pm 1000 Mineral Point Ave, Janesville — contact your school’s special education director for more information

Creating a Care Preference Plan January 26, 12:00-12:45pm Registration A Care Preference Plan is a powerful tool that allows families of children with special needs/disabilities to quickly and succinctly share information others need in order to know to understand how to best interact with the child. This knowledge will help their interactions go as smoothly as possible–useful at clinic, school and beyond. We will be joined by a parent who created her own Care Preference Plan and will share ideas on how others can create their own! Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!

What’s Often Overlooked P.O.W.E.R. Employment program from Epilepsy Foundation of Wisconsin

Resumes & Cover Letters Jan 26, 6:30pm
Job Search Plans Feb 2, 6:30pm
Job Interview Skills Feb 9, 6:30pm

COVID Vaccinations Clinic at Madison Children’s Museum Jan 31, 11:00am-7:00pm Registration is required.

The Silent Child (Monthly Midweek Midday Movie with Waisman Center) Feb 2, 12:00-1:30pm Registration Take part in celebrating the upcoming Deaf History Month in March by joining us for a viewing of the short film, The Silent Child. Inspired by real-life events, this Oscar-winning short follows Libby, a profoundly deaf child in a hearing family, nearing her first day at school. A social worker arrives to teach Libby sign language and a relationship is developed. Discussion after the film will include Connie Stevens, a local mom who is hearing, and is raising a daughter who is deaf.

Basics of 2022 Changes to the CLTS Waiver Feb 9, 12:00-12:45pm. Registration. There are some improvements to the CLTS waiver starting in 2022. We will talk about New Services, New Names, Transitioning out of the CLTS program and more. We will be joined by Jessica Holland and Beth Gullickson from the Bureau of Children’s Services, Division of Medicaid Services out of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Part of Conversations on Showing Up for Kids!

Parenting/Caregiving with Presence (online) Feb 12 8:30am-12:30pm from UW Health — contact the SRC (cyshcn@waisman.wisc.edu) to find out how you could get attend for free!

Seizure First Aid Training (online) Feb 14, 6:00pm from Epilepsy Foundation of Wisconsin

Supporting Neurodiverse Students Professional Learning System (SNS) — The goal of the SNS is to support a skills based approach to challenging behaviors that will improve a student’s social understanding and self-management. More virtual and online trainings.

Untangling: Working with Students with Higher Impact Needs Feb 4, 1-3pm (Live Virtual)

Advocacy for Change 2022: A Virtual Conference Mar 23-24 9:00am-12:00pm from Family Voices of Wisconsin

A Call to Action: The Intersection of Race and Mental Health April 19, 8:30am-12:30pm Marquette University Ballroom and Virtual More information coming.

Week of January 10, 2022

Research at Waisman 101 Video Recording Resources

Bridging the Gap: Youth Health Care Transition and Staying a Step Ahead Video Recording Resources

Webinar and Report: A Family-Centered Research Agenda for Improving Health Care Transitions for Children with Special Health Care Needs – Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Research Network (CYSHCNet)

Webinar and Report: COVID-19 Telehealth Policies Affecting CYSHCN: What to Keep, Modify, or Discard? – Health Management Associates (HMA)

Webinar: CARE_PATH for Kids: A Family-Centered Approach to Shared Plans of Care for Children with Special Health Care Needs – Child and Adolescent Health Measurement Initiative (CAHMI)

Lessons Learned from the ECCS CoIIN Coordinating Center’s Evaluative Efforts to increase skills and reduce developmental disparities among 3-year old children from NICHQ

Severe Illness in a Child Takes Big Toll on Parents, Siblings: Study from US NEWS

Health of Black, Native moms key in fight to improve infant death disparities, experts say from USA TODAY

Week of January 3, 2022

WI Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) All in for Kids Newsletter in English, Hmong and Spanish

Step 5 of Deciding Together
Renewing the CLTS Program and improvements
Remote services are available
Winter family fun ideas
Information on COVID-19 vaccinations
Helpful resources for families

Wisconsin Living Well needs your input! The Wisconsin Living Well project has a federal grant to improve the health, safety and connections to the community for people with disabilities eligible for Long-Term Care (e.g. people who use Family Care, IRIS, Partnership and the Children’s Long-Term supports). Survey will remain open until the end of January.

Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities January Newsletter

What’s the Word? by Nathaniel Lentz, Self-Advocate Leader
Families Supporting Families Grant Awards
Public Policy Updates
Living Well Survey
Disability Advocacy Day is March 16th
Look Back at 2021 on the Self-Determination YouTube Channel

The Path Ahead TMG Winter Newsletter

All About Assistive Technology
In Their Own Words: How Assistive Technology Helps Me
Learn About Augmentative and Alternative Communication
Resources for Finding Assistive Technology

2022 WISE Meetings: Addressing Stigma at the Intersection of Substance Abuse Disorders (SUD) and Mental Health (Virtual)

February 15, 9:30-11:30am — Registration
May 17, 9:30-11:30m — Registration
August 16, 9:30-11:30 — Registration
November 15, 9:30-11:30 — Registration

Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities National Training Center (MHDD) January Newsletter

Addressing Mental Health & Wellness with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities during Transition to Adulthood Webinar Jan 25, 1:00-2:00pm (Followed by optional Q&A) Registration
MHDD Digital Storytelling Series Michael’s Story Eileen’s Story
Training Modules – “Learn Now” Discapacidad 101
Considerations for Improving Services for Native American/American Indian Individuals with Disabilities and Mental Health Concerns Factsheet
Considerations to Improve Services for Black/African American Individuals with Disabilities and Mental Health Concerns Factsheet
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and the Multicultural Populations it Affects Factsheet

Home Language Interpreter training for IEP meetings (choose at training date) from WI FACETS

January WI Family Engagement Newslette r

Transition to Postsecondary Schooling for Students with a Disability
Research: Family Perspectives on a Successful Transition to Adulthood for Individuals with Disabilities
Online resources for youth and families in the area of Transition
Update Guidance for Disability Employment
Upcoming trainings, workshops and conferences
At Home Learning Strategies

Chatter Matters! Communication Camp is an overnight camp for children who use augmentative or alternative communication (AAC) and up to five of their immediate family members. June 16-19, 2022 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Applications are now available. Applications will be accepted until January 24th. Scholarship opportunities.

Research Studies:

Research Study on Parent-Child Learning (ages 10-14) Study includes clinical assessment visit, MRI brain scans, and a final visit. From the UW BRAVE Research Center.
Research study on Emotional Development (ages 10-16) Study includes a clinical interview, MRI brain scan, questionnaires and biological samples. from UW BRAVE Research Center
Adolescents 14-18yrs old with chronic health conditions and one parent are invited to participate in a research study. More information.
Child Emotion Lab at the UW-Madison Waisman Center is recruiting children 3-14.
The Little Listeners Project at the Waisman Center is recruiting typically developing children between 18 and 24 months and children with diagnosed or suspected ASD between 24 and 35 months to look at how children learn language. For more information, email the staff at littlelisteners@waisman.wisc.edu, call 608-263-3123 or complete the online sign up form at https://littlelisteners.waisman.wisc.edu.
The Motor and Brain Development Lab at the Waisman Center is recruiting autistic children for a research study that looks at brain regions controlling sensory and motor behavior in children with autism and children with typical development. Dr. Brittany Travers and her study team are currently recruiting children 6-10 years old with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. If you are interested in enrolling your child to participate in this research study, the next step is to answer some questions to see if your child is eligible to participate. Contact our study team at (608) 263-8913 or BrainyMovtStudy@waisman.wisc.edu for more information.
Learning in two Languages – Virtual Study; Bilingual 4-5 year old children who speak English and Spanish and are either typically developing or with language impairment. Virtual or in-person options. Language Acquisition and Bilingualism (LAB) Laboratory

Previous highlights

Beginning November 1, 2021, a new company called Veyo will arrange rides for Wisconsin Medicaid members to get to their covered health care appointments (Non-Emergency Medical Transportation — NEMT)

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. Developed by Well Badger Resource Center.

Revised Katie Beckett Fact Sheet from Family Voices of Wisconsin

Katie Beckett Medicaid Helps Children with Disabilities Access Needed Services

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

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.
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.

Welcome to the Southern Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs!