Our Story
The Children Come First Conference began in 1990 with a simple but powerful vision: create a space where families' experiences and needs drive professional practice and system design.
What started as a small grassroots gathering has grown into Wisconsin’s most inclusive children’s mental health conference. Each year, CCFC brings together caregivers, educators, mental health professionals, and system partners to learn from one another, build stronger partnerships, and improve outcomes for kids across the state.
CCFC was proudly hosted for many years by Wisconsin Family Ties until the organization’s closure in April 2026. To ensure the conference continued, former Wisconsin Family Ties staff formed Children Come First Connections LLC (CCF Connections) to carry this important work forward.
While CCF Connections is a new organization, the people behind CCFC are not. With the same experienced organizers and a shared commitment to families, CCFC will remain the conference that so many across Wisconsin know, trust, and love.
Why Attend
Every child deserves someone in their corner who understands. Someone equipped with both compassion and competence. Someone connected to resources and community.
The Children Come First Conference equips you to be that difference-maker.
While CCFC maintains its family-centered roots, we've evolved to meet the needs of the diverse professionals who make up 85% of our attendees:
- Social workers and case managers seeking effective coordination strategies
- Mental health clinicians exploring evidence-based interventions
- Educators building supportive school environments
- Healthcare providers developing integrated approaches
- Researchers sharing emerging best practices
- Families navigating complex systems
What Sets Us Apart
Family Voice
Families aren't just participants- they're partners. Their expertise shapes every aspect of the conference, ensuring solutions work in real life, not just in theory.
CLTS Approved
Eligible for 'Family/Unpaid Caregiver Supports' funding through the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program.
Talk to your Service Facilitator about including this conference in your service plan.
Cross-System Solutions
Issues don't exist in silos. We bring together mental health, education, healthcare, and social service providers to discuss approaches that actually work.
CEHs
Annually approved for Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) by NASW-Wisconsin Chapter for social workers and other professionals.
Event Details
Theme
Every Child Belongs centers on the belief that all children—regardless of ability, background, or lived experience—deserve to be seen, supported, and included in the systems that shape their lives. This theme calls on families, professionals, and communities to strengthen connections, elevate voices, and build inclusive practices where every child feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive.
