History of Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA)

In 2006, the Children’s Trust Fund issued a planning grant to the Wisconsin Child Care Resource and Referral Network. The goal of that grant was to facilitate a strategic planning process between the Resource and Referral network, and the Family Resource Center systems in Wisconsin, and to develop a statewide association that would coordinate the early childhood and family support systems, as well as serving as venue to address child maltreatment, and public voice for child and family services.

In July, 2007, the Wisconsin Child Care Resource and Referral Network officially became the Supporting Families Together Association.

In December, 2007, collaboration among state agencies was further enhanced by the merger of the Wisconsin Child Care Improvement Project with SFTA.

Member Components of SFTA

Resource & Referral Agencies

There are sixteen, community-based, Resource and Referral agencies serving Wisconsin. The agencies are organized as tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations, and each is governed by a board of directors representative of its service deliver area.

Resource and Referral agencies connect parents with child care services. The provide technical assistance to child care providers, and collect, analyze and report on child care data that impacts communities. They also implement innovative child care quality improvement initiatives.

Family Resource Centers

Family Resource Centers throughout Wisconsin provide training, technical assistance, and support services to children and families. Nineteen Family Resource Centers in Wisconsin, receive grants from the Children’s Trust Fund to help them meet local needs for parent education and support.

Although each family resource center is unique, they all focus on family strengths and build self-esteem and confidence within families. Family Resource centers develop a wide range of programs to serve the needs of their communities.

For a list of Family Resource Centers in Wisconsin, click here.

Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) (Formerly WCCIP Staff)

SFTA technical advisors, throughout the state, work with family child care programs, and child care group centers, assisting them with program start-up and achieving national accreditation. This is accomplished through a range of services, including one-on-one consultations, targeted workshops, CDA advising, business planner consultations and environment assessments.

Meet our Funders

Supporting Families Together Association receives core funding from the Wisconsin Department of Children & Families, Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and the Children's Trust Fund.