Family Services The Department of Children and Families offers services for families of all stripes. See below for more information on how we can help your family thrive. Adoption Whether you are a current adoptive parent or hoping to become one, we are here to help you. Child Support Services The Wisconsin Child Support Program helps parents get court orders for financial and medical support for their children. It also enforces those orders when needed, and makes sure that all money collected is paid out correctly. Children First Children First is a program designed to encourage and enable parents to contribute to the financial support of their children, and is currently offered in 21 Wisconsin counties and two tribal areas.. Employment Services Employment programs available to low-income parents. Find Child Care The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families' public search of regulated child care and YoungStar-rated programs allows parents to search for safe, quality child care in Wisconsin. Many providers are rated by YoungStar so that you can know how they measure up against research-based quality indicators. Foster Care Every day foster families in Wisconsin make an incredible difference by providing safe and caring homes for children living in foster care. For Fathers When fathers are active in the lives of their children, kids are more likely to graduate from high school and pursue a college education. They are also less likely to become depressed or abuse drugs or alcohol. An engaged father can improve the quality of life for a child and give a child the confidence they need to succeed. For Parents The Department offers a large variety of services and supports for parents and prospective parents. Kinship Care Kinship Care supports the concept of children residing with a relative to alleviate family stress or temporary familial problems, rather than being placed in a foster home or other type of out-of-home placement. Teen & Young Adult Services The goal of the Bureau of Youth Services is to improve outcomes for youth in the child welfare system and other vulnerable youth. Specifically, the bureau supports service delivery systems that move youth towards academic success, safe and stable housing, employment, permanent connections with supportive adults and healthy lifestyle behaviors. Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Wisconsin Shares helps low-income families pay for child care so that parents or other approved caretakers may work, go to school, or participate in approved work training programs.
