Support Groups

Greatkids A family-focused educational program, Greatkids provides a supportive environment for parents with young children. Some meetings will welcome invited speakers, while other meetings will be member-led, both promising thoughtful and entertainging group discussion on varying parental issues. Childcare is provided by experienced caregivers.

When: 1st & 3rd Thursdays (3 sessions: fall, winter, spring), 9:00-11:00am Summer session is held at parks throughout the county, same days and time Where: St. Luke Methodist Church, 623 Ontario Avenue, Sheboygan Cost: $30/session or $85 for all 3 sessions; scholarships available Call: 458-3461 or visit www.stluke.net

Carin' 4 Sheboygan: Children And Relatives of the Incarcerated Provides support services for children (and their caregivers) of those who are incarcerated. Peer support for children, siblings, and their caregivers offered with sessions covering topics such as, "You Are Not to Blame;" "Dealing with Hurts;" and "Forgiveness." Drop-In peer support for caregivers of children of inmates is also available. Call: 920-917-9232 for more information and registration.

La Leche League Breastfeeding Support Group
Meetings to inform, educate, and support women interested in breastfeeding. Discussion led by accredited Leader. Lending library and phone help. Babies and children welcome at meetings!
When & Where: 2nd Tuesday, 6:30-8:00pm at First Congregational Church, Plymouth
4th Monday, 9:30-11:00am; call 451-0264 or 467-9408 for meeting location
Cost: FREE; memberships available
Call: Roni (451-7110), Sara (565-3874), Megan (467-9408), or Tiana (451-0264)

Mental Health Support

  • Mental Health America Programs (formerly Mental Health Association)
    Postpartum Depression
    Compassionate Parents (A support group for parents who have lost a child.)
    Suicide Loss Support Group
    Depression Support Group
    Confidential Screenings for Common Mental Disorders
    National Alliance on Mental Illness (A support group for families and friends of those affected by a mental illness.)
    On-line screening for 4 common disorders
    Where: 2020 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan
    Call: 458-3951
    Website: www.mhasheboygan.org
  • The Open Door
    A leisure and recreational center for mentally ill adults and people in need, offering city resources, billiards, ping-pong, crafts and daily movies, as well as a clothes closet. The center is based on mutual respect, socializing, understanding and support to the mentally ill.
    When: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 9am-4pm
    Thursday, 9am-Noon; Saturday, 10am-2pm
    Where: 817 N. 8th Street, Sheboygan
    Cost: Free
    Call: (920) 452-6875 for more information

Military Families ConnectFRC Military Families Connect (MFC) welcomes family members, friends and service members from all branches of the Armed Forces, Active, Guard and Reserves. Meetings begin with a potluck meal and exchange of information, followed by an activity or speaker. Children are welcome and activities are provided for them. Registration is appreciated to meeting planning.

When: May 19 - Deployment, Reunion & Beyond

June 23 - Ice Cream Social

July 28 - Picnic in the Park

August 25 - Veteran's benefits

September 29 - Military Kids Night

Potluck meal begins at 5:30pm, speaker/activity follows the meal Where: American Legion Post, 40 Stafford Street, Plymouth Cost: Free Call: The Family Resource Center at 892-6706 or 457-1888

RAINBOWS, SPECTRUM and PRISM
Peer support groups for children and youth, parents, stepparents and parents who are grieving because of death, divorce, separation, or abandonment. Groups of similar age meet once a week for 14 weeks. RAINBOWS-elementary/middle school; SPECTRUM-high school. PRISM-adults. Free will offerings accepted.
Call: Rainbow Kids at 452-2838 for start of next series of meetings (all groups meet simultaneously at the same location).

Special Needs Support

  • ADHD Resources
    A collection of books and videos on attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder are available at the Mental Health America’s (formerly Mental Health Association) resource library. Anyone interested in borrowing items can stop at the office.
    When: 8:00am-4:00pm, Monday through Friday
    Where: Mental Health America, 2020 Erie Avenue, Sheboygan
    Call: 458-3951 for more information
  • Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN)
    Provides information, resources and referrals, parent support through trainings and connections to other parents, and service coordination through linkages to local public health departments.
    Call: St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay 1-800-236-3030, ext. 8296, or
    Cindy VanderWeele, R.N. or Kari Keller R.N. at 459-3031
  • Native American Family Empowerment Center GLITC, Inc.
    Direct advocacy to Native American students, birth to 21, and their families, trainings on special education issues, diversity, and general overview of the law.
    Contact: 1-800-472-7207
  • Wisconsin Coalition for Advocacy (WCA)
    Direct advocacy assistance to individuals and their families, training and technical assistance to consumers, parents, and professionals on a wide variety of disability related topics.
    Call: Madison 1-800-928-8778, Milwaukee 1-800-708-3034 or www.w-c-a.org
  • Wisconsin Family Assistance Center for Education, training & Support (WI FACETS)
    Information and referral, workshops, individual assistance, and support groups.
    Call: 1-877-374-4677 or www.wifacets.org
  • Wisconsin First Step
    Central Directory for Wisconsin’s Birth to Three Program, which is the information and referral service to assist Wisconsin families who have children with special needs, age birth to 21 years of age.
    Call: 1-800-642-STEP (7837) or www.mch-hotlines.org
  • Wisconsin Statewide Parent-Educator Initiative (WSPEI)
    Promotes parent participation on IEP teams for children disabilities as well as in school advisory functions.
    Call: 1-877-844-4925 or http://dpi.wi.gov/sped/parent.html