Strengthening Systems So Children Can Thrive | |
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Happy New Year from Thriving Wisconsin!
As we welcome a new year, we want to take a moment to thank our incredible members, partners, and supporters for making 2025 a year of growth, collaboration, and impact.
Here’s to 2026—a year filled with new opportunities to strengthen advocacy, expand services, and continue building a thriving early childhood system across Wisconsin.
From all of us at Thriving Wisconsin, we wish you a year of health, happiness, and success.
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Upcoming Changes to 2026 Director Meeting Format
Based on member feedback, Thriving Wisconsin will be changing the format of our quarterly Director meetings starting in 2026.
Directors Meetings will either be fully virtual (9am-Noon) or in person (9am-4pm); no hybrid option will be available.
Below is the schedule for the 2026 Quarterly Director meetings, calendar invites will be adjusted accordingly.
February 10th, FRC (virtual: 9am-Noon)
February 11th, CCR&R (in person: 9am-4pm)
April 7th, FRC (virtual: 9am-Noon)
April 8th, CCR&R (in person: 9am-4pm)
August 4th, FRC (virtual: 9am-Noon)
August 5th, CCR&R (in person: 9am-4pm)
November 10th, FRC (in person: 9am-4pm)
November 11th, CCR&R (in person: 9am-4pm)
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Thriving Wisconsin Welcomes New Team Members
Elizabeth Zarate-Perez
Elizabeth Zarate-Pérez, Bilingual Early Childhood Specialist, with more than six years of hands‑on experience working directly with families, brings a deep commitment to supporting young children and their caregivers. As a bilingual specialist, Elizabeth is passionate about bridging language barriers and ensuring that all families feel seen, heard, and empowered.
Elizabeth is excited to join Thriving Wisconsin and contribute to its mission of creating systems of high‑quality, strengths‑based early childhood support across Wisconsin. She looks forward to continued growth and is eager to learn alongside her colleagues.
Prior to this role, Elizabeth worked in Madison, WI, where she supported children, families, and early childhood staff across programs - with a particular focus on those in need of bilingual services. Elizabeth's inclusive and collaborative approach helped foster welcoming environments where every child could thrive, regardless of language or background.
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Cassandra Gamble
Cassandra Gamble, Early Childhood Research Specialist at Thriving Wisconsin, brings over 10 years of experience supporting and advocating for children and families, both through direct practice and in research and program evaluation. Cassandra provided services to families involved in the child welfare system to help ensure the safety and well-being of children. Cassandra has experience in implementation research and program evaluation, serving as a research assistant for a project focused on intimate partner violence among adolescents and as a Research Project Coordinator evaluating a pilot program aimed at preventing children from entering foster care. Cassandra is a skilled facilitator, having facilitated trainings and webinars, interviews and focus groups, community dialogues, and parenting classes. With a Master of Sustainable Peacebuilding, Cassandra brings a systems lens, conflict analysis and management skills, and project management experience.
Cassandra is excited to join Thriving Wisconsin and collaborate with communities and organizations across Wisconsin to improve health outcomes for children and families and work towards sustainable systems-level change. Cassandra is passionate about fostering peace and supporting families and communities to create a safe, stable environment where all children can thrive.
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Parent Leadership Overview Training: Now Available in English & Spanish!
The Parent Leadership Overview Training is available in English and Spanish. This training can be used as a quick refresher or to share with Parent Leaders in your agency!
English version can be found here
Spanish version can be found here
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Welcome Our Newest Thriving Wisconsin Member: Door County Partnership for Children and Families
Thriving Wisconsin is excited to announce that Door County Partnership for Children and Families has joined our statewide network—bringing the total to 41 incredible members!
Door County Partnerships for Children and Families Mission: "To promote resilience, strength, and social-emotional well-being for the families in our community."
What They Offer: Door County Partnerships for Children and Families provide a wide range of family-centered services, including:
- Triple P Parent Education
- Family Fun Events
- Chat with Dad
- Social Connection Opportunities
Thriving Wisconsin is thrilled to have them as part of their growing network of organizations dedicated to strengthening families across Wisconsin.
Learn more about Door County Partnerships for Children and Families HERE
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Webinar Invitation: Overview of NEW Healthy Screentime Solutions & Strategies for Reaching More Families
The Triple P Implementation Support Team will be showcasing some examples of approaches centered in reaching more families in relevant ways. They will kick off with a quick overview of the newest Triple P 0-12 Seminar topic, Healthy Screentime Habits, and then showcase some innovative approaches Triple P funders and providers are taking to reach more families in their communities:
Date: Thursday, January 29th 2026
Time: 2:00-3:30 CST
Registration: HERE
Interested but can’t make it? Register anyway! All registrants will receive a copy of the slides and a link to a recording of the webinar.
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Wisconsin Alliance For Infant Mental Health Spanish Microlearning Videos Are Now Available
WI-AIMH's Spanish Microlearning videos are now live! These microlearning videos consist of a playlist of 6 common topics in infant mental health.
Please take a look and feel welcome to share!
Spanish videos can be found here
English videos can be found here
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Child Trends Study Explores How FRC's Work With Young Parents
Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are lifelines for families—offering essentials like food, help accessing public benefits, and skill-building classes. While we know they make a difference locally, little is known about their impact across states. Child Trends new study explores how FRCs serve young parents (under 25), connect them to benefits like SNAP and TANF, and support families involved with child welfare.
Want to learn more? Read the full study HERE
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Zero to Three Highlights The Child Care Paradox: Families Pay More Educators Earn Less
America’s child care system is collapsing . Families are paying more than they can afford, while the very educators who make care possible remain some of the lowest-paid workers in the country. The result? Families are squeezed, programs are closing, and children are caught in the middle.
Read the entire article HERE
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NetSmartz: Free Internet Safety Presentations and Tip Sheets for Every Audience
NetSmartz offers free, multimedia internet safety presentations designed for parents, communities, teens, tweens, and younger children. These innovative sessions combine videos, expert tips, and interactive online resources to educate, engage, and empower both kids and adults to stay safe online and offline.
See Website Here
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Home Visiting Funding Announcement!
DCF has announced an anticipated procurement opportunity for the Family Foundations Home Visiting Program. Many Family Resource Centers (FRCs) currently receive DCF’s home visiting funding, and others are interested in adding this programming to their continuum of services. This announcement provides agencies with the opportunity to prepare and plan for submitting a proposal when the request for proposal is released.
To sign up for DCF's funding announcements visit HERE
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Wisconsin Children & Youth Fiscal Map: See How Wisconsin Invests in Kids
The Wisconsin Children & Youth Fiscal Map is a public, interactive tool that shows who invests, how much, and in what programs serving children and youth—from prenatal through age 24. This tool brings together state and federal funding streams to make the landscape clearer for families, providers, funders, and advocates.
Learn More and Explore the Map HERE
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Family and Childcare Resource of N.E.W. is Moving
Beginning January 1, 2026, FCRNEW's will be moving to a new location. Their new physical and mailing addresses are:
Physical Address: 414 S Jefferson St, Green Bay, WI 54301
Mailing Address: 414 S Jefferson St Upper, Green Bay, WI 54301
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Global Exchange Study Visit: Registration Now Open!
Early Educators Exchange and GatherRound are excited to announce that registration is officially open for the Global Exchange Study Visit—a unique opportunity to travel to Copenhagen, Denmark, in Spring 2026 for eight days (six tour dates plus three travel days). This immersive experience will focus on observing and learning from Denmark’s renowned universal child care model.
This visit is designed for individuals committed to improving and transforming the child care system across the U.S. through shared learning and collaboration.
About the Delegation
A delegation of 12–14 participants will join four Project Leads to explore a variety of early childhood settings, including family child care, center-based programs, and forest schools. Delegates will meet with Danish leaders, policymakers, providers, parents, researchers, and administrators to gain firsthand insight into how Denmark supports high-quality, equitable early childhood education.
Who Should Participate
Local, state, and national stakeholders are encouraged to apply—child care providers, elected officials, parents, business leaders, policymakers, city planners, academics, and advocates.
Intended Outcomes
Participants will:
- Deepen understanding of the Danish early childhood system.
- Build relationships among U.S. and Danish colleagues.
- Identify promising ideas to inform U.S. practices.
- Contribute to a final report and shared learning opportunities.
Trip Details and Costs
Cost per person: $4,500, which includes:
- Lodging, three meals daily, and public transportation for land costs once at the hotel in Copenhagen.
- Coordination with Danish hosts and U.S. project leads, including administrative fees and consultation.
- Observation visits, meetings, entrance fees, and selected travel experiences.
Not Included:
- Airfare
- Transportation to and from the airport in Copenhagen
- Travel insurance
Registration and Payment
- $1,000 deposit due ASAP to secure your place.
- $3,500 balance due January 5, 2026.
Upon receiving a deposit, participants will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis or placed on a waiting list. Up to four slots will be reserved for early childhood providers. Deposits are nonrefundable in the event of participant cancellation. If the trip is canceled due to insufficient enrollment by January 5, 2026, deposits will be fully refunded or applied to a future study visit.
Cancellations after January 5, 2026, will result in forfeiture of the full trip cost.
Next Steps
This trip is organized and operated by Goway Tours. Participants must complete both the Danish Study Visit Registration Form and the Copenhagen Group Registration Form. Once forms and deposits are received, a finalized itinerary will be shared as travel dates approach.
All participants are invited to a Zoom Q&A session on December 18 at 4:00 PM ET. Zoom Meeting Link
Danish Study Registration Here
Copenhagen Group Registration Here
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Wisconsin Legislative Update: Act 48 Signed into Law
On December 8, 2025, Governor Evers signed Act 48 into law, creating a new criminal offense called “sextortion.”
Under this law, sextortion is defined as: Threatening to injure a person’s property or reputation, commit violence against that person, or distribute an intimate representation of that person in order to coerce them into engaging in sexual conduct or producing an intimate representation.
This legislation strengthens protections against coercive and exploitative behavior, ensuring accountability for those who attempt to use threats for sexual gain.
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CCR&R Network Training Calendar
The CCR&R Network offers a wide variety of services that are tailored to meet the local and statewide needs of families, early childhood educators, child care programs, local organizations, and communities.
Find an upcoming training event available statewide through the CCR&R Network on Thriving Wisconsin's statewide training calendar.
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T-TAP Course Series – Winter/Spring 2026
Enhance Your Skills with the T-TAP Course Series!
Thriving Wisconsin is offering the Trainer and Technical Assistance Professional (T-TAP) Course Series this winter/spring This series includes three blended courses—Foundations, Trainer, and Technical Assistance Professional—designed to strengthen your knowledge, skills, and dispositions for effective training and technical assistance. Courses begin January 20, and space is limited!
For more Information check out:
T-TAP Course Series Flyer
Preparing for T-TAP
Member agency staff may register here using the following discount codes:
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TTAP1 – for 1 course
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TTAP2 – for 2 courses
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TTAP3 – for 3 courses
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Explore Thriving Wisconsin's Advocacy Toolkit
Thriving Wisconsin offers a comprehensive Advocacy Toolkit designed to equip advocates with the resources and information they need to continue the conversation regarding the need for increased supports for families and providers.
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| EARLY CHILDHOOD & FAMILY SUPPORT RESOURCES | |
The Importance of Reflective Practice in Early Childhood
In the field of early childhood, reflective practice is often viewed as a “nice-to-have”—something professionals do when there’s extra time. In reality, reflective practice is hard work. It requires slowing down, being vulnerable, and asking difficult questions of oneself and others.
However, reflective practice is far more than an optional activity; it is a powerful tool that can transform outcomes for babies, families, and the systems that support them. When educators and caregivers take time to reflect, they deepen their understanding of what works, what doesn’t, and why. This process helps uncover biases, strengthen relationships, and create space for growth—both personally and professionally.
Learn More about the Importance of Reflective Practice for Early Childhood Staff HERE
Zero to Three "Reflective Practice Checklist"
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Paid Family and Medical Leave Across States
Paid family and medical leave (PMFL) is a workplace benefit that enables workers to take time off for many qualifying reasons, including the need to care for a new child, recover from an illness, and support a loved one through a health crisis. In the absence of that support, many individuals must face the decision to return to work or risk financial insecurity.
The Prenatal to Three Policy Impact Center's comprehensive brief highlights the current state of PFML in the US and the outcomes seen in states that have implemented a PFML program.
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In November, Thriving Wisconsin represented our network through meaningful connections with:
- Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin
- Bureau of Early Child Care Regulation
- Child Abuse & Neglect Prevention Board
- Child Care Aware of America
- Department of Children & Families
- Department of Health Services
- GO NAPSACC
- Great Kids Inc.
- Healthy Early Partners
- Healthy Minds Healthy Children
- National Family Support Network
- Office of Children's Mental Health
- Official Kids Celebration
- Prenatal-3 Policy Academy
- Strengthening Families State Committee
- Strong Start Wisconsin Coalition
- Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health
- Wisconsin Early Childhood Association
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