April 2025

In this month's newsletter:

How pets help children heal, plus the connection between animal protection and child protection
Free trainings for National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Resources for crime victims and a statewide program to help victims feel safer
Exciting news about the state's new coordinator for the National Association of Counsel for Children (hint: some of you already know him!)
An incredible grandmother and her advice for relative caregivers
And much more!

April 11: National Pet Day

Celebrating Foster Youth and Their Pets

“I learned to trust Scout, the foster family rescue dog, before I trusted adults. I know it sounds corny, but Scout was a lifeline for me when I wasn’t sure if I could trust people. I remember just sitting on the floor with Scout in my lap. I hadn’t known kids to be so well cared for, much less pets.

As a teen, I learned to take care of Scout, and I eventually got into dog grooming. When I was in my early twenties, I started doing doggie foster care. I found my community! I fostered six rescue dogs who were then adopted by others, and I adopted two dogs myself. And now I also help mentor teens at Kids Matter."

These are the words of Allie, who was in and out of group homes for years as a teenager before she found a stable family placement.

No one understands better than our kids how important it is to feel safe and loved. On National Pet Day, we're celebrating all of our youth like Allie who have gone on to rescue pets. Here are just a few, all grown up with their adorable pups!

Did you know that child welfare protections are directly connected to the Humane Society movement of the 19th century? Discover how concern for protecting animals from abuse evolved into legal action to protect abused and neglected children.

Learn the History

Child Abuse Prevention Trainings

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and we want to encourage you to learn more about how to stop abuse before it even happens. If you want to help keep kids safe, here are two FREE trainings from Darkness to Light:

Stewards of Children®

This evidence-informed training—one of the only adult-focused child sexual abuse prevention programs in the United States—has been proven to increase knowledge and change behavior. Join Kids Matter on Monday, May 19, 2025, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. as we host a free training for our network. Email adam@kidsmatterinc.org with your name, phone number, and email address if you're interested, then keep an eye on your inbox for more details.

Active Bystanding

Want to learn additional strategies to keep kids safe? During the month of April, Darkness to Light is offering their active bystanding course for FREE. This practical training course is a great refresher on how to recognize and respond to situations that could put a child at risk. Sign up today using code ACTIVE25 to take advantage of this offer!

Safety Matters: Protecting Child Crime Victims

Since 1981, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week has offered an opportunity to recognize the accomplishments of the victims’ rights movement and reflect on how far we have come.

Kids Matter Inc. is proud to offer services and support to child crime victims. We advocate for survivors and help survivors and their relatives navigate complex legal systems.

Our website is full of information to cope with various circumstances, including:

Discover all of our resources for child crime victims, and be sure to follow along on social media using #NationalCrimeVictimsRightsWeek.

Find Resources to Help Children Heal

Introducing WI's NACC Coordinator

Did you know that our very own staff attorney Adam Zaiger is Wisconsin’s state coordinator for the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC)?

As the state coordinator, Adam is responsible for promoting NACC’s mission to advocate for the rights of children and youth in the child welfare system. NACC trains and supports a diverse community of legal professionals serving children, parents, and families, and Adam connects them to what’s happening with child welfare law in Wisconsin specifically. He also serves as a point of contact for Wisconsin lawyers seeking information about NACC offerings.

Learn More About Adam's Role

Meet Our Newest CASA Volunteers

Congratulations to our most recent class of CASA volunteers who completed their training and were officially sworn in by Judge Childs. We're so glad to have Michelle, Andrew, Vicky, and Chelsea on board with us. They're going to make such a difference for foster youth in Milwaukee!

Are you interested in getting involved with Kids Matter CASA? Click the buttons below for more information.

Learn More

Apply Today

Caregiver Spotlight

Grandparents and other relatives can have children placed with them at any time, from birth to the teen years. How the kids experience that caregiving role can vary depending on their age at placement. Here are some tips from a Milwaukee grandmother who has been raising her grandsons since they were born.

Discover Her Story

Community Partner Shoutouts

Five of our families got to enjoy a recent hockey game thanks to the generosity of one of our awesome CASA volunteers! We are so grateful to Ellen for donating Milwaukee Admirals tickets. Experiences like these mean the world to children facing challenges, and our kids now have a special memory to cherish.

How cute is a handmade "pocket hug"? What a sweet idea for foster and kinship children to be reminded of how much their community cares. Thank you so much to Monica and our friends in Pewaukee for thinking of our kids!

Are you interested in donating tickets to foster and kinship families? Email adam@kidsmatterinc.org to discuss opportunities for memorable experiences.

Get Connected

Are you raising someone else's child and looking for more support? Sign up to receive a monthly newsletter that is tailored just for you, or join our Wisconsin Grandfamilies Matter group on Facebook.

Be sure to follow us on social media for regular updates and helpful information!