Our Mission
Family Voices of Wisconsin promotes a system of comprehensive health and community supports based on fundamental principles that assure the health and well-being of children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities and their families. Our role is to advocate for the inclusion of these principles in the design, implementation and delivery of supports and services throughout Wisconsin.
What We Believe
Children are children first, regardless of their diagnosis. Support and services should be delivered with this in mind.
Families have great capacity to care for their children and youth with special health care needs and/or disabilities when they have informed real choices, strong supports and appropriate resources.
Health and community supports and services will respect and honor the unique culture and beliefs of families.
Children and youth are best served when their families work as partners with providers to make decisions about their health care and family supports, and children are supported within their community.
Organizational Overview
Family Voices of Wisconsin is a not-for-profit corporation organized exclusively for charitable purposes.
Family Voices of Wisconsin is classified as an exempt organization under Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code and is not classified as a private foundation. As a 501(c)3 organization, Family Voices of Wisconsin is exempt from the payment of federal income on its exempt activities.
Board Members
Beth Wroblewski, President
Lisa Stephan, Secretary
Jason Cooper, Treasurer
Patricia Erving, Member
Barb Gadbois, Member
Pam Ironside, Member
Monica Lopez, Member
Linda Rowley, Member
Meg Steimle, Member
Bill Schwab, Member
Bill White, Member
Our Team
Brigit Frank, Media and Education Manager
Brigit has worked with Family Voices since 2014 and has developed our online trainings in addition to using her creative eye to make our materials look professional and easy to read. Brigit is the adoptive parent of two children with complex health conditions and mental health needs.
Barbara Katz, Director
Barbara Katz is the parent of three adult sons and has been advocating for her middle son, Ben, since his birth in 1991. She is employed as Co-Director of Family Voices of Wisconsin, and has held this position since 2005. Barbara is the former chair of the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and continues to serve on a variety of local and statewide boards and committees.
Lynn Renner, Communications and Information Manager
Lynn has been with Family Voices of Wisconsin since 2009. She is the parent of two children. Her son has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Lynn writes our fact sheets and newsletters, coordinates Advocacy for Change and manages the Circles of Life Conference Planning Committee.
Danielle Tolzmann, Policy and Family Leadership Coordinator
Danielle joined the Family Voices team in Spring 2022. She brings the perspectives of a parent and grandparent, affected by multiple diagnoses including autism spectrum disorder, seizure disorder, ADHD and a chromosomal micro-deletion. As Past President of the Autism Society of South-Central Wisconsin, she continues to serve through committee activities.
Each family has a voice
Together, our voices will be heard