Calendar

BMCW Lunch and Learn***

Join Kids Matter CASA staff to learn about these important issues. Feel free to bring your lunch and prepare for some good information.

• Wednesday, July 28 –– Healthy Early Development
  Laurice Lincoln – Birth to Three Coordinator
  Region 1 (1730 W. North) 12:00pm – 1:00pm
• Wednesday, August 25 – Signs/Effects of Sexual Abuse
  Cathy Arney and Luci Staudacher, Pathfinders
  Region 2 (6111 N. Teutonia) 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Giving back has never been this much FUN!
May 20, 2010

Join us at Nomad World Pub on May 20th to raise money for Kids Matter Inc.’s efforts to help support abused and neglected youth in the Milwaukee area! Event starts at 7pm at the Nomad World Pub. No cover charge, free snacks, and live DJs. Everyone is welcome but you must be 21 years old or older. For more information click here.

Grandparents and Other Relatives as Parents
Thursday evenings April 15, 2010 - May 20, 2010

A FREE six-week educational series for grandparents and other relatives who are parenting again is being offered by six collaborating agencies in Milwaukee. This educational series entitled “Grandparents and Other Relatives as Parents” will be offered Thursday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. beginning April 15th and continuing through May 20th. All classes will be held at The Parenting Network, 7516 W. Burleigh Street, Milwaukee. A light meal and childcare provided at no cost. Topics include legal and financial information, transitional parenting, behavior and discipline, and healthful living. To register for this series call the Parent Helpline at (414) 671-0566.

Betty Brinn: 2010 Fostering Hope Event
May 7, 2010

The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and Kids Matter Inc. will be holding the 2010 Fostering Hope Event: A Free Night of Fun for Foster and Kinship Families. This free event is on May 7th, from 5:30 to 8:30 at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. The evening is lots of fun for foster and kinship families, as well as CASA volunteers and their CASA children and families. Fun activities include face painting, crafts, readings, puppet shows, and karaoke, along with the museum exhibits. Families can take a tour of the museum and receive a free family membership. Please call or email Zach at (414) 344-1220 ext. 19 to RSVP. For more information click here.

Been There, Lived That... Survived and Thrived! February 6, 10 A.M.

Connecting Bridges, Inc. presents Skip Robinson, the Director of Community Relations for the Milwaukee Bucks and Johnathan Boyde, the president of the Youth Advisory Council for a conversation with foster youth. These former foster children will tell their stories and how they persevered and thrived. Over $2,000 worth of prizes will be given away and refreshments will be served. Adults and foster children ages 8 and older are invited to this event. Call 414-721-8085 to RSVP or for more information. Arrive at 9:45 to register to win prizes. Held at the COA Youth and Family Centers 909 East Garfield Ave. Milwaukee, WI.

New Year New You Health Fair - Junior League of Milwaukee

Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Cross Lutheran Church 1821 N 16th St, Milwaukee, WI. The health fair will provide an opportunity for children of all ages (infants through high school) and their families to learn about healthy eating, dental care, health screenings, exercise and more and will help them start the New Year on a healthy note! Many freebies for all and a chance to win fabulous door prizes!

For more information, please contact The Junior League of Milwaukee (414) 289-9242 or click here to download more information.

Free H1N1 Flu Shots - Saturday, January 23, 10 A.M. to 2 P.M.

The Milwaukee Health Department is offering free H1N1 flu immunizations this Saturday from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at Sarah Scott Middle School, 1017 N. 12th Street in Milwaukee. This clinic is open to the general public with special outreach to the foster care population, caregivers and their families, and BMCW staff and their families.

WIPSAC Presents: How the Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) Program can Help Children in CHIPS Cases. Friday, December 11, 2009 - 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM

This presentation will focus on the Kids Matter Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program in Milwaukee County. The background and training of CASA volunteers, the supervisory and complaint process, the content and availability of CASA court reports will be discussed. This presentation will also review case types where CASA involvement has been most beneficial and how to request CASA involvement in your case.

Presented By: KIDS MATTER INC.: Susan Conwell, J.D., Executive Director of Kids Matter, Inc.
Lance R. Jones, J.D., Kids Matter CASA Program Manager.

For more information click here.

Mediation Project
Thursday December 14-16, 2009

The project will provide mediation services for guardianship cases filed on behalf of minor children in Milwaukee County.  Training for project participants will take place December 14-16, 2009, led by Marquette University Law School faculty and Zena Zumeta, a dynamic, nationally recognized mediator and trainer.

For more information click here.

Dave & Carole's 24th Annual Christmas Is For Kids Party
Thursday December 17, 2009

It's Dave & Carole's 24th Annual Christmas Is For Kids Party. Helping thousands of Milwaukee's less fortunate families on Thursday, December 17th 2009.

Children attending will enjoy:

• A complete warm meal
• A toy bag
• A visit with Santa
• Holiday music and entertainment
• Crafts, activities, clowns, face painting
• A fun and safe environment 

Betty Brinn Event
May 1, 2009

The Betty Brinn Children’s Museum and Kids Matter Inc. held the 2009 Fostering Hope Event: A Free Night of Fun for Foster and Kinship Families at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum. The evening was lots of fun for foster and kinship families, as well as CASA volunteers and their CASA children and families. Fun activities include face painting, crafts, readings, puppet shows, and karaoke, along with the museum exhibits. Families could take a tour of the museum and receive a free family membership.

National CASA Conference***
April 25-28, 2009

National CASA Conference in Denver, CO. Join over 1,400 child advocates from across the country and gain knowledge to take your advocacy to new heights. For more information click here.

Highlights of the National CASA Conference

• Continued learning opportunities with top-notch faculty
  
• Choice of more than 60 workshops and pre-conference institutes
  
• Well-known general session speakers
  
• Opportunities to network with more than 1,400 CASA/GAL staff, board members, volunteers, judges, attorneys and other child welfare professionals

CASA at the Capitol***
April 23, 2009 11:30am-4:00pm
At the Inn on the Park and the Wisconsin State Capitol

The Wisconsin CASA Association along with all CASA volunteers, CASA staff and Board & Advisory council members will be heading to Madison to visit legislators in support of Court Appointed Special Advocacy in our state.

This is a great day to inform our legislators about CASA and be able to network with fellow CASA volunteers. We will begin with a complimentary buffet lunch at the Top of the Park, with a beautiful view of the Capitol and Lake Monona. The day will end with snacks and a debriefing session.

As part of CASA at the Capitol, we will also participate in National CASA's "Forgotten Children" Campaign by taking a life-sized, stand-up figure of a CASA child with us on our visit -- something sure to draw great attention to the CASA program! Complimentary parking is included at the Inn on The Park.

Kids Matter CASA Training
February 25, 2009 6pm

Kids Matter CASA is an organization of volunteers that advocates for abused and neglected children in Milwaukee County Children’s Court.  A Court Appointed Special Advocate is an everyday hero like you appointed by the court to independently investigate the cases of these children and advocate for what is best for each child with the goal of a loving, safe and permanent home. More info

Author Lee Woodruff
February 26, 2009

The Junior League of Milwaukee is welcoming best-selling author Lee Woodruff at a Speaker’s Luncheon on February 26, 2008 at the Pfister Hotel.  Kids Matter Inc. has a table at this signature event and four seats at this table are reserved for CASA volunteers.  Lee and Bob Woodruff are the authors of the New York Times best-seller In an Instant: A Family’s Journey of Love and Healing.  Bob Woodruff was anchoring a broadcast for ABC news when he was critically injured in Iraq and this book is an account of how his family faced the trauma and their fears and how they persevered. If you are interested please email Susan at info@kidsmatterinc.org

Lunch & Learn ***
February 26, 2009

The monthly Lunch and Learn series is sponsored by the Wisconsin Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (WIPSAC) and is located at the Children’s Court Center.  There is no cost to attend and the programs are from noon-1:30 at Milwaukee County Children’s Court.  The program this month is “Issues Relating to Women and Youth Living with HIV” and is presented by Ms. Jeanne Butler, RN, MS, CADC-III.  Ms. Butler is the lead facilitator Client/Family Support Program and the WI HIV Primary care support network at Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin.  Attendance at this event is worth two Continuing Education credits.

Marquette Law School Public Service Conference ***
Leaping the Gaps for Children with Special Needs
Friday, February 29

Marquette Law School is hosting this full-day conference to explore how to help children with special needs in the school, medical care and justice systems.  The full schedule of workshops and to register, click here.  There is a $40 fee to attend that covers breakfast, lunch and a reception.  Kids Matter is offering two scholarships to this event.  Please contact Lance at info@kidsmatterinc.org if you are interested in attending.  Attendance at this event is worth eight Continuing Education credits.

DCFS Quality Service Review Focus Group***
March 5 at 6:00 PM

Kids Matter CASA is invited to participate in a focus group hosted by the State Division of Children and Family Services, Continuous Quality Improvement Team at 6:00 PM at the Kids Matter office.  This is part of their Quality Service Review of the child welfare practice in the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare.  DCFS will be providing pizza to participating CASAs.  This is the follow-up to the review conducted in October 2006 and will be used to evaluate and improve services to children and families.  We invite every CASA to participate, as it is an opportunity to let DCFS hear your thoughts and concerns.  Please RSVP to Susan at info@kidsmatterinc.org by February 23.  Attendance at this event worth three Continuing Education credits. 

2008 Betty Brinn Event
March 7th, 5:30 - 8:30PM

The Junior League of Milwaukee and Kids Matter will be holding the 2008 Betty Brinn event on Friday, March 7 from 5:30-8:30 PM.  This free evening at the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum is lots of fun for CASA children and their foster or kinship families.  The evening is filled with Curious George sightings, face painting, crafts, readings, puppet shows and karaoke along with the museum exhibits.  This year there will be information on over twenty summer camps and activities.  Families can take a tour of the museum and receive a free family membership.  This event includes CASA children and their foster or kinship families.   Please call Danielle to RSVP at 414-344-1220.

 

2008 Betty Brinn Event
March 7th

Thanks to everyone who came to our Fostering Hope at Betty Brinn Children's Museum. It was a great evening for foster & kinship families. Many thanks to Betty Brinn Children's Museum, the Junior League of Milwaukee, Sam's Hope, the Milwaukee Ballet, the UW-Milwaukee Women's Soccer Team, the Milwaukee Bucks, Mayor Tom Barrett, and Children's Court Presiding Judge Mary Triggiano. Look for our photo gallery coming soon.

Grandparents & Other Relatives as Parents Series
April 5 - May 3, 2008 - 9:30am-11:30am

Few grandparents or other relatives expect the daily responsibility of parenting a child.  However, because of barriers facing the child’s biological parent, another family member may choose to nurture and guide the child.

If you are a grandparent, aunt or uncle, or someone in the family who accepts the responsibility of bringing up a child, this five session series is for you.  It may provide you with just the resources and strategies that you need during this new chapter in your life!

Come to any or all of the sessions. FREE childcare & refreshments. More Info