Did you know that the statewide children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) network has a partner in helping Wisconsin families who have children with special health care needs?

The Regional Centers are working with Wisconsin First Step which is an information and referral hotline dedicated to helping families and professionals find a variety of resources including support groups, financial assistance, medical resources, transportation, advocacy resources, assistive devices, respite and home health agencies.

Staff have access to a database of over 3,000 agencies and services. The database includes local, state and national resources such as early intervention services, medical diagnosis and evaluation, transportation, and home health care.

 Wisconsin First Step staff are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer your immediate questions. The toll free number is 1-800-642-STEP (7837) . To go to their database of resources go here http://www.resourcehouse.info/en/wi/cgi-bin/location.asp

Wisconsin First Step is operated by "First Call for Help" a community service of Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin. It's funded in part by the Wisconsin Division of Public Health, Children with Special Health Care Needs Program,  MCH Title V Services Block Grant, Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Wisconsin Birth to 3 Program, U.S. Department of Education.