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Dear Readers,
We are all in the swing of Back to School! Some kids can't wait for that first day back — new backpack, new shoes, new teacher to get to know. Others need a little more time to warm up to the idea. Both are completely normal, and honestly, most families see a bit of both!
Here's the thing we always come back to: kids learn best when they feel safe and supported. So this issue is all about helping you set that foundation, whatever back-to-school looks like in your house this year. We've gathered resources and connections to help you support your child's learning, right alongside them.
And remember — schools are our partners in this. The more caring adults in a child's corner, the better things go. You're not doing this alone.
In this newsletter, we hope you find resources, support, and opportunities for connection.
Here's to a great start to the school year, in whatever shape that takes for your family!
Warmly,
The Wisconsin Family Connections Team
| | Creating Safety So Kids Can Learn | |
After moving to a new foster home and new school in eighth grade, Keesha went from consistently making honor roll to barely passing. To get her back on track, her caregivers eliminated distractions – no phone and no hanging out with friends until her grades improved. Keesha was working hard, but with no improvement. The frustration grew. What was happening?
Chronic stress, fear, anxiety, and trauma shift the brain into “survival mode.” In this state, Keesha was unable to access the “thinking” part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex), which allows us to learn, retain, and recall new information. Simply put, brain science tells us we need to feel physically and emotionally safe to learn.
Below are questions to consider in identifying possible stressors the child in your care may be facing that hinder learning, along with suggestions for support.
- Are they being bullied, teased, or physically hurt? Address this with the school immediately.
- Has your student experienced gaps in learning due to placement changes and is embarrassed about having fallen behind? Explore additional available supports, such as tutoring.
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Do they have at least one “go-to” trusted adult at school who can help provide a sense of safety and security? Ask if they have a favorite staff person and reach out.
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Is the child in your care experiencing sensory sensitivity from loud noises, crowded hallways, or temperature changes?
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Is the child feeling lonely or isolated at school? Encourage joining clubs, sports teams, volunteer projects, or other extracurriculars.
- Are you unintentionally setting expectations they simply can’t meet at this time? Try focusing first and foremost on the child’s well-being, strengths, and talents. Be encouraging and let them know you are there to help.
The most important thing we can do as parents and caregivers is to prioritize building a safe, secure relationship with the kids in our care. We can do this by making them feel seen, heard, validated, valued, and cared for. The rest will take care of itself.
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As the school year gets underway, the WIFCC Resource Library has a tip sheet worth a read: Helping Children & Youth in Care Achieve School Success.
This tip sheet offers caregivers practical strategies for supporting school success, organized around four key phases:
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Before school starts: Coordinate with the child's care team on what information can be shared with the school (while protecting confidentiality), talk with the child about how they want to handle questions from peers, and start school-year routines like consistent bedtimes a few weeks early.
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Working collaboratively: Build early, ongoing relationships with teachers and school staff, involve birth parents' insights when possible, and stay proactive rather than waiting for conference time to address concerns.
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During the school day: Ask the child what kind of support feels right to them, schedule appointments after school when possible, and stay aware of possible triggers tied to transitions (start/end of year, holidays).
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Homework: Break assignments into smaller chunks, celebrate progress, build simple organizational systems, consider a tutor or mentor when needed, and be mindful that certain assignments (family trees, holiday projects) can be emotionally difficult.
This is just one example of what you'll find in the WIFCC Resource Library. It's full of tip sheets and resources designed to give caregivers practical strategies and tools for supporting the children in their care — whenever and wherever you need them.
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Our kids aren’t the only ones who might be hoping for a little more education. Wondering how to better understand the IEP process? The WIFCC Classroom has a training that would be perfect for you.
The WIFCC Classroom is easy to access, and because this is a recorded webinar, you can listen to it whenever you have time. Special Education: Keeping it Real From Birth to 21 is taught by Julie Quigley, currently the director at Autism United, formerly a special education teacher with over three decades of experience in the field, and a parent to three autistic adults, each of whom received special education services throughout school. Julie brings a rare, dual perspective — as both an educator and a caregiver who has walked this path herself.
This webinar offers an honest, practical look at the IEP process, helping you feel confident and prepared to be an equal partner on your child's IEP team. Julie will cover:
- What to expect from the IEP process, step by step
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What not to stress about (yes, really!)
- Tips and tricks to help you navigate meetings and paperwork with more ease
- How to support your child when they have an IEP
Navigating the IEP process can feel overwhelming for everyone involved — including caregivers. You don't have to figure it out alone. That's what the Wisconsin Family Connections Center is here for. Our resource team is just a call away, ready to listen, answer questions, or simply be a sounding board whenever you need one. Scheduling time to talk is quick and easy — click here to schedule a call with our resource team.
And whenever you're ready for more, the WIFCC offers a wide range of resources and connections to other organizations to help you and your family navigate the IEP process with confidence at every step.
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Summer of 2026 brought us together for so many fun and memorable events! We’ve enjoyed farms, movies, museums, baseball games, crafts, and SO many great conversations!
One favorite for many was our annual Back-To-School Bash held in Eau Claire at the end of July, in partnership with Jockey Being Family. This year brought some new additions that received the nod of approval from our attendees – a coffee cart welcomed parents and gave them a tasty little boost to start out their morning, while a photo booth camper provided many giggles and a keepsake photo strip to bring the memories home. Other activities at the event included water bottle decoration, henna tattoos, bouncy houses, chalk art, and of course, haircuts to start the new school year off fresh! Parents collected useful information from resource tables and connected with other caregivers and staff. Before leaving, each child (88 kids!) received a brand new pair of shoes and a backpack with school supplies. It is always a whirlwind of an event, and we absolutely love seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces!
Thanks so much to everyone who came out and joined us for this event and all the other opportunities throughout the summer. We look forward to seeing you in the coming months!
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Looking Ahead
Take a quick peek at what's coming up. Click on the hyperlinks or additional links provided below for more details on how to register for upcoming WIFCC opportunities.
| Upcoming Training and Conferences | |
Live Webinar
Regulate and Relate: The Impact of Early Childhood Trauma on Executive Functioning
Thursday, October 8, 6:00-7:30 pm
Live Webinar
Native Nations of Wisconsin
Wednesday, October 21, 12:00-1:30 pm
Conference
Healing-Centered Families 2026
Saturday, November 14
Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells
Live Webinar
FASD & the Big Three: Raging, Lying, and Stealing
Tuesday, December 8, 6:00-8:00 pm
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