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When families of children with disabilities and special health care needs are at the decision-making table, programs are improved and more accessible. Resources and services are created by the people making decisions; Parents can be meaningful contributors to shaping the systems that support their children and others.
Family Voices of Wisconsin developed the Wisconsin Family Leadership Institute (WiFLI) for parents of children with disabilities and special health care needs. Our goal is that every WiFLI participant gains the skills and confidence to be at the table when decisions are made in the community: serving on community advisory groups (like at the library, school, recreation programs, or medical clinic) to county or state boards or committees. Parents can also share their experiences with systems, to advocate to their legislators for real solutions.
We offer WiFLI as a continuous opportunity. This allows you to start where your experience level is now and build your leadership skills to reach far beyond—and we’ll be there to support you every step of the way.
This series of virtual learning sessions is intended to sharpen your skills and offer new insights into advocacy opportunities that are available all around us. Each session is packed with speakers, exercises, discussion and planning for your own advocacy. This makes it important for you to commit to the sessions along with the other members of your group. If this is a problem, or if you have any questions, contact melanie@fvofwi.org.
These sessions are provided at no cost to Wisconsin families through Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs funding.
Presenter: Danielle Tolzmann, Melanie Kretschmer
Thursday, September 10, 6:00pm
We’ll start with a discussion on staying grounded when the systems around us are shifting. We look inward and outward to find the things we can control to make change when our challenges may be greater than we expected. (60 min)
Presenter: Danielle Tolzmann, Melanie Kretschmer
Thursday, October 1, 6:00pm
You’ll learn how you can take the next step and become an advocate for your community and impact programs and services for all children. We talk about ways families can make a difference, including supporting another parent, serving on advisory groups, and communicating with policymakers. (60 min)
Presenter: Savannah Bertrand
Thursday, October 22, 6:00pm
This parent recognized that a program in her community could serve families better, so she stepped forward to advocate for improvements. She’ll share what she learned about systems change advocacy, partnering with others, and finding resilience. (60 min)
Presenter: Sally Flashberger
Thursday, November 19, 6:00pm
This experienced legislative advocate will explain the steps to tackling a legislative issue, including sponsorship, the role of media, and practical tips for legislative meetings. (60 min)
Presenter: Danielle Tolzmann
Thursday, December 3, 6:00pm
Pulling together the themes from our Community Advocacy and Legislative Strategy sessions, we’ll walk through the steps of creating your own advocacy plan. Who might you partner with and how can you find them? What to do first? Who are your allies? After this session, you’ll have a plan! (60 min)
This series provides the building blocks to successfully extend the advocacy you are already doing to reach beyond your own family, affecting the systems, programs, and services you interact with every day. From Telling your Story workshops to understanding how Boards and Committees work, we’ll get you started on your family leadership journey.
For the first time, the Spring 2026 series will mix in-person learning sessions with virtual workshops. We’ll begin by getting to know the other WiFLI members, then go virtual for two sessions, and finish up in-person to learn and compare our experiences. Our hope is that this meets more of your learning styles and schedules where you are–Enthusiastic and ready to put ideas into action.
Participation in WiFLI Foundations includes registration to our Advocacy for Change.
Thursday, September 10, 6:00pm
Advocacy in Uncertain Times
Thursday, October 1, 6:00pm
Your Voice Matters
Thursday, October 22, 6:00pm
Community Advocacy
Thursday, November 19, 6:00pm
Legislative Advocacy
Thursday, December 3, 6:00pm
Strategic Thinking in Advocacy
