Referral Resources

American Academy of Adoption Attorneys 
An adoption attorney can locate birth parents, assist with their medical and living expenses, arrange for counseling, and provide the legal services that adoption requires. 

Intercountry Adoption
For current inter-country adoption information, refer to the U.S. Department of State website.

North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
The North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) supports, educates, inspires, and advocates so adoptive families thrive and every child in foster care has a permanent, safe, loving family.

Care.com
Helps families find child care, senior care, special needs care, tutoring, pet care, housekeeping, etc.

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Provides information about  Medicaid, Medicare, and the Health Insurance Exchanges. 

Childcare Aware of America
This agency offers an online search tool for finding local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies, which can help families find child care options. It also provides information on finding help paying for child care.

DisabilityInfo.org
Helps people with disabilities find the information they need.

National Association for Family Child Care
NAFCC is the accreditation body specifically for family child care providers. You can search on their website to find out if a family child care provider is accredited.
 
WI Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Your local aging and disability resource center (ADRC) is the first place to go to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability.

Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
Pays for healthy meals and snacks for low-income participants in child care programs and nonresidential adult day care or day services programs for people age 60 and older.

DisasterAssistance.gov
Provides disaster survivors with information, support, services, and a means to access and apply for disaster assistance through joint data-sharing efforts between federal, tribal, state, local, and private sector partners.

Financial counseling 
NFCC member agencies provide financial reviews and education to more than a million consumers each year in person, over the phone, or online. Every NFCC member agency client receives comprehensive money management services based on their individual needs. NFCC member agencies provide a variety of free and affordable services. 

Free or discounted school lunches and breakfasts
These meals are served at many schools through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) (https://www.fns.usda.gov/nslp/national-school-lunch-program); the School Breakfast Program (SBP) (https://www.fns.usda.gov/sbp/school-breakfast-program); and after school ends, through the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) (https://www.fns.usda.gov/sfsp/summer-food-service-program), all of which are federal meal programs in public and nonprofit private schools and residential child care institutions. Income restrictions apply, but a child might be eligible even if you don't qualify for SNAP benefits.

Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP) 
Encourages low-income older people to stay healthy by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. Low-income older people can exchange SFMNP coupons for fresh produce at farmers' markets, roadside stands, and community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
Formerly called the Food Stamp Program, SNAP enables low-income individuals and families to buy certain kinds of food in authorized food stores. Most states give SNAP participants an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card -- a plastic card similar to a credit or debit card -- and a personal identification number (PIN) that is used to buy groceries.

The Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) 
This program offers food to some low-income people age 60 or older. Women, infants, and children who are currently receiving CSFP benefits and who were certified to receive those benefits on or before February 6, 2014, are also eligible to continue to receive assistance under the program rules in effect on that date. The CSFP provides food directly rather than through food vouchers or stamps. Through this program, state agencies receive food from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to distribute to local public and private agencies. Food packages from the CSFP do not offer a complete diet, but they do offer good sources of important nutrients. The packages include cereal, milk, juice, rice, canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and other foods listed on the CSFP site.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) 
Provides free emergency food assistance to low-income Americans in the form of groceries for home preparation or meals in group settings, such as soup kitchens

The National Domestic Violence Hotline
National Domestic Violence Hotline is available to help victims and survivors of domestic violence. Get help for your relationship abuse today.

United Way
United Way advances the common good by creating opportunities for all. Focus is on education, income, and health – the building blocks for a good quality of life and a strong community. 

Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Programs (WHEAP) 
The Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) provides assistance for heating costs, electric costs, and energy crisis situations.

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program  
WIC provides food, dietary information, and health care referrals for pregnant women, new mothers, and infants and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk. Services are provided by state agencies or institutions such as hospitals and schools. In most states, WIC participants receive checks, vouchers, or electronic benefit cards to buy specific foods (determined by each participant's specific needs) each month. A few states distribute WIC foods through warehouses or deliver the foods to people's homes.

DivorceCare 
This website provides links to local support groups for adults and children.

DivorceNet
At Divorcenet you can find free legal articles, local lawyers for advice, and more.

DivorceSupport.com
Online discussion forums and other resources. Has links to state-by-state divorce laws and lists of documents that each state requires in uncontested or no-fault divorce.

Mediate.com
This website is rich in resources about mediation and includes an interactive directory of mediators

American Association of Community Colleges 
If you are considering a two-year college, click on the "Community College Finder" link to search for schools by city, state, or size and type.

Career Trend
Site is intended to be career tool box for aspiring professionals. Includes quizzes to help you decide on a college major, data to compare careers and graphs showing trending industries, Career Trend lets readers dive deep into their intended or current career trajectory. 

CollegeBoard 
Visit the "College Search" section of the CollegeBoard site to learn about colleges that might be a good fit for you.

Federal Student Aid
Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide grants, loans, and work-study funds to students attending college or career school.

Loan Forgiveness
The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program forgives the remaining balance on your Direct Loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer.

Peterson's 
You can enter keywords in a search box on the main page of this site to research undergraduate and graduate programs. 

Buxfer
This free online budgeting tool is aimed particularly at young people getting a financial start in life. It provides many of the features of Mint.com and shows useful graphic representations of income, expenses, spending, and forecasts. Buxfer doesn’t directly access your bank accounts, so you don’t have to give it your bank website passwords; instead you export the transactions from your bank website and then upload them into Buxfer.

BudgetSimple
This free online budget tool is focused on helping people get out of debt. It helps you create an online budget, save money, and understand your finances better. The free version does budgeting and reporting. For a nominal monthly fee, BudgetSimple Plus adds a mobile app and links to your bank accounts.

BudgetTracker
BudgetTracker is a free budgeting tool that works with or without links to your bank accounts. Create a budget, and track your bank and investment accounts (and even PayPal) all on one screen. Track your expenses and your income and view reports. Link transactions such as monthly bills to your calendar to receive reminders by email or text message.

IRS Free Tax Help
The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify. 
 
Financial counseling 
NFCC member agencies provide financial reviews and education to more than a million consumers each year in person, over the phone, or online. Every NFCC member agency client receives comprehensive money management services based on their individual needs. NFCC member agencies provide a variety of free and affordable services

FutureAdvisor
Part of the global Black Rock corporation, this web-based service takes the place of a traditional investment advisor. You can get free investment advice under its do-it-yourself plan or pay to have FutureAdvisor manage your IRA or other investments, typically for a flat annual fee of 0.5 percent of the assets managed.

Mint.com
Enter your bank and financial accounts (credit cards, home loans, investment accounts, etc.) into this free secure online tool and Mint.com automatically organizes and updates the information and categorizes your expenses. The free basic service will create a budget for you based on your spending history. Then you can set up and track budgeting goals, such as saving money and paying off credit card debt. Mint will recommend ways to reduce expenses, and it can send you automatic alerts when it’s time to pay bills, when you go over budget, when interest rates change, etc. Mint.com is available for mobile devices as well.

MyMoney.gov
This free U.S.-government website on personal finance is attractive and easy to use. It includes articles and quizzes on a vast array of topics -- saving, investing, borrowing, avoiding scams, and much more. The website’s “Tools” section has interactive worksheets on budgeting, saving for retirement, and more.

National Association of Enrolled Agents 
Enrolled agents (EAs) are America's Tax Experts. EAs are the only federally licensed tax professionals who also have unlimited rights to represent taxpayers before the IRS.

Saving for College
This independent site has comprehensive information about options for saving for college. You’ll also find general and state-specific information about and rankings of 529 plans and comparison tools.

Tax Credits
Info at IRS website about tax deductions for individuals and businesses. 

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
The website for this federal agency has additional information on your rights and responsibilities as a renter and homeowner, including your rights when you live in a government-subsidized rental property. HUD also has housing counseling agencies in all states, which can advise you on your options if, for example, you are facing eviction or have another serious problem. You can find the nearest counseling agency by calling 800-569-4287 or by using the links to state resources at www.hud.gov. 

American Moving & Storage Association
For more information on hiring and working with a moving company, visit the site for the industry group the American Moving and Storage Association. 
 
ProtectYourMove.gov
Provides a wealth of information about hiring and working with moving companies. Website is managed by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 

FindLaw
Are you facing a legal issue, or just looking for more information about a specific legal topic? FindLaw's Learn About the Law section is the perfect starting point. Learn About the Law features informational articles about a wide variety of legal topics, as well as specific information about subjects such as how to hire an attorney and understanding your state's unique laws.

LawHelp.org 
Offers resources in your area of interest (say, family law or Medicaid), including legal aid programs in your community.

Legal Action of WI
Legal Action of WI provides free legal services to low income people who would be denied justice without your help.

Legal Zoom
Online tool to make legal help more widely available to all Americans.

Nolo
Library of free consumer-friendly legal information and do-it-yourself products.

State Bar of WI
Lawyer referral, information and reduced fee services in the state of WI.

TheLaw.com and FreeAdvice.com.
Libraries of articles and answers to frequently asked questions.

Career Trend
Site is intended to be career tool box for aspiring professionals. Includes quizzes to help you decide on a college major, data to compare careers and graphs showing trending industries, Career Trend lets readers dive deep into their intended or current career trajectory. 

Job Accommodation Network (JAN)

The Job Accommodation Network (JAN) is the leading source of free, expert, and confidential guidance on workplace accommodations and disability employment issues. Working toward practical solutions that benefit both the employer and the employee, JAN helps people with disabilities enhance their employability, and shows employers how to capitalize on the value and talent that people with disabilities add to the workplace. 

O*Net Online

The O*NET database includes information on skills, abilities, knowledge, work activities, and interests associated with occupations. This information can be used to facilitate career exploration, vocational counseling, and a variety of human resources functions, such as developing job orders and position descriptions and aligning training with current workplace needs.

U.S. Department of Labor
Fosters, promotes, and develops the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development
The Department'sprimary responsibilities include providing job services, training and employment assistance to people looking for work, at the same time as it works with employers on finding the necessary workers to fill current job openings.

Cyber Safety for Parents/Guardians and Children

The Wisconsin Department of Justice's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and the Department of Public Instruction is teaming up to keep families safe online. The departments have launched a program called "Interact!" that will give parents resources to have conversations with their children about internet safety.

Center for Disease Control
The nation's health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health, safety, and security threats

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, CMS, is part of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Provides information about  Medicaid, Medicare, and the Health Insurance Exchanges. 

Center for Suicide Awareness – Hopeline
HOPELINE, by the Center for Suicide Awareness, is a text-in (versus voice call-in) free service for help and hope. HOPELINE is the Emotional Support Text Line in the State of Wisconsin and provides service throughout the entire state.

Compassion Fatigue Awareness Project
Promotes awareness and understanding of Compassion Fatigue and its effect on caregivers.

DisabilityInfo.org
Helps people with disabilities find the information they need.

Daybreak by Hello Sunday Morning
Daybreak is an online program that helps you change your relationship with alcohol through a supportive community, habit-change experiments, and one-on-one chat with health coaches.

KidsHealth
KidsHealth is the #1 most-trusted source for physician-reviewed information and advice on children's health and parenting issues.

National Center for PTSD
The National Center for PTSD is dedicated to research and education on trauma and PTSD. Works to assure that the latest research findings help those exposed to trauma

National Council on Problem Gambling
Serves as the national advocate for programs and services to assist problem gamblers and their families. The vision is to improve health and wellness by reducing the personal, social and economic costs of problem gambling. 

National Eating Disorders Association
The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by eating disorders. NEDA supports individuals and families affected by eating disorders, and serves as a catalyst for prevention, cures and access to quality care.

National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency — making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

The Power and Price of Survival
Written for people who have experienced heavy stress, threat, and/or trauma

PsychCentral
Psych Central is the Internet’s largest and oldest independent mental health online resource.

Smokefree.gov
Smokefree.gov is intended to help you or someone you care about quit smoking.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
The Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator is an online source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the United States or U.S. Territories for substance abuse/addiction and/or mental health problems.

WI Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Your local aging and disability resource center (ADRC) is the first place to go to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability.

WebMD
Provides credible information, supportive communities, and in-depth reference material about health subjects that matter to you. A source for original and timely health information as well as material from well-known content providers.