About Us

Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, Training & Support, Inc. (WI FACETS) is a nonprofit organization serving Wisconsin children and adults with disabilities, their families and those who support them. We were founded in 1995 by parents who believed that parents are the best advocates for their children. WI FACETS operates programs to help parents, professionals and others support and enrich the lives of children with disabilities.

Our Parent Training and Information Center provides statewide assitance service. A 5-year U.S. Department of Education grant (CFDA 84.328M) funded the Center starting October 1, 2001. The grant supports families and others with training, information and referral, and individual assistance related to children with disabilities and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

The Milwaukee County Advocacy Grant, initiated in 2006, provides support for transition-age youth with disabilities and their families in Milwaukee County to improve transition outcomes. The grant includes a Youth Leadership Summit, held in partnership with IndependenceFirst, and other self-advocacy trainings and supports for transition.

WIN-MILL Project provides statewide service. This is a four-state project, including Parent Centers in Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. Funded since 1995 by U.S. Department of Education grants, parents, students and others are trained to train and support other parents and students about the Rehabilitation Act and transition of students with disabilities to post-secondary school and vocational experiences.

WI Special Education Mediation System is a collaborative effort between: WI FACETS (representing parent perspective), CESA #7 (representing school perspective), Nina Meierding (representing mediator perspective), and Burns Mediation Services (providing intake and system administration) funded since 1996 by a WI Dept. of Public Instruction discretionary grant to administer the state’s system of dispute resolution for special education. WI FACETS provides outreach training and information about mediation, facilitated IEPs and facilitated resolution meetings.

Wisconsin Youth Information, Training and Resource Center assists young adults (13-30) with developmental disabilities, in a 4-county area (Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington) with transition, empowerment, and advocacy related to education, employment and health. The 3-year U.S. Health & Human Service’s Administration for Children & Families and Administration on Developmental Disabilities grant started October 1, 2007. The grant provides training, information and support to young adults, parents and the community. Week-long Youth Leadership Summits and a webpage by and for youth are project keystones. A Project partners are: IndependenceFirst; CESA #7; Board for People with Developmental Disabilities; WI Dept. of Workforce Development – Division of Vocational Rehabilitation; Disability Rights WI; Milwaukee Public Schools; and WI Dept. of Public Instruction.

WI FACETS provides Parent Assistance Services for the Milwaukee County Wrap Around Program, Safety Services, LaCausa, and Community Families and Children Program. This is WI FACETS’ only fee-for-service program. These services help “at risk” families of children w/ disabilities.