Navigating and advocating for the unique educational needs of the children we are caring for can be a stressful and confusing process. It’s important to be informed and to have a reliable resource like WI FACETS to help reduce that school stress.
The Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training, & Support, or WI FACETS, is a non-profit organization founded in 1995 by a group of parents. This state-wide organization believes that all children should receive the education they need to be successful. WI FACETS offers information and support for families and children who have disabilities.
Parents and youth can find free online training on the WI FACETS website. These are offered year-round and are on a variety of topics. In addition to training, families can find online resources. There is also a Help Line that parents can call to speak with a Help Desk Specialist to answer questions or direct them to other resources.
The WI FACETS team realizes that additional support may be needed for some families and can assist by
- Reviewing paperwork
- Helping you prepare for an upcoming meeting
- Talking through mediation, etc.
If you are looking for someone to attend a meeting for their child, they can possibly help there, too. (It can be done virtually but for a minimal number of families.)
WI FACETS isn’t just here to support parents; they are also present to support youth in advocating for their educational needs. We encourage you to take some time today to check out the great work that WI FACETS is doing to support all children’s education.
Recommended Resources
Tip Sheet
From the Resource Library
- Fostering Across Wisconsin Newsletter: School Tools
- Finding Your Way: A Navigation Guide for WI Families, by the Department of Health Services, WI Title V, & the Waisman Center
- Different But Equal: Teens Write about Living with Disabilities, by Youth Communication
- When the School Says No . . . How to Get the Yes!: Securing Special Education Services for Your Child, by Vaughn K. Lauer
Additional Resources