Community Resources

Wisconsin Community Resources: Finding the Help You Need

Navigating life's challenges can be tough, but you don't have to do it alone. Wisconsin offers a wide array of resources to support individuals and families facing various needs. This page provides a starting point for connecting with organizations that can offer assistance.

For immediate help and to find local resources tailored to your specific needs, always start with 211 Wisconsin.

1. General Assistance & Information (Start Here!)

• 211 Wisconsin

  • Description: A free, confidential, statewide service that connects you with thousands of local programs and services. They can help with housing, utilities, food, mental health, substance use, domestic violence, and more. Available 24/7.

  • Phone: 211 (or 1-800-924-5514)

  • Text: Text your ZIP code to 898211 (Mon-Fri, 8 AM - 5 PM)

  • Website: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/

2. Addiction & Mental Health Support

• Wisconsin Addiction Recovery Helpline (via 211 Wisconsin)

  • Description: A free, confidential, statewide resource for finding substance use treatment and recovery services. Available 24/7.

  • Phone: 211 (or 833-944-4673)

  • Website: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/addiction-helpline

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

  • Description: For life-threatening emergencies or immediate crisis support.

  • Phone: 988

• NAMI Wisconsin (National Alliance on Mental Illness Wisconsin)

  • Description: Offers support, education, and advocacy for individuals and families affected by mental illness.

  • Website: Search for "NAMI Wisconsin" for their official site (contact info varies by local affiliate)

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) - Substance Use & Mental Health

  • Description: Provides information and resources related to substance use disorder, prevention, opioid abuse, and more.

  • General Phone: 608-266-1865

  • Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/aoda/index.htm (Look for "Substance Use" or "Mental Health" sections)

• MEDiC Clinics (Madison area, UW School of Medicine and Public Health)

  • Description: Offers free urgent care, preventive health, and mental health clinics for uninsured or underinsured adults.

  • Phone (Appointments): 608-265-4972, option 2

  • Website: https://www.med.wisc.edu/education/medic/clinics/

3. Food Assistance

• FoodShare Wisconsin (SNAP)

  • Description: Wisconsin's version of the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helping low-income individuals and families purchase healthy food.

  • Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/foodshare/index.htm (Look for application information)

• Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program

  • Description: Provides food assistance and nutritional guidance for pregnant individuals, new mothers, and children under age 5.

  • Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/wic/index.htm

• Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin

  • Description: Operates food banks and distributes food to pantries and meal programs across 35 eastern Wisconsin counties.

  • Website: Search for "Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin"

• Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin

  • Description: Aims to end hunger in southwestern Wisconsin, serving 16 counties.

  • Website: Search for "Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin"

• Hunger Task Force (Milwaukee area)

  • Description: An independent anti-hunger organization providing food to those in need and advocating for hunger-free communities.

  • Website: Search for "Hunger Task Force Milwaukee"

• Local Food Pantries and Meal Programs:

  • Description: For specific locations near you, use the 211 Wisconsin search tool or contact your local county health department.

4. Housing Assistance

• 211 Wisconsin

  • Description: Can connect you with local homeless shelters, rental assistance programs, and other housing resources.

  • Phone: 211

  • Website: https://211wisconsin.communityos.org/ (Search for "housing")

• HUD.gov / U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Wisconsin)

  • Description: Provides information on Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties, and housing counseling.

  • Tenant Concern Hotline (LIHTC): 1-800-943-9430

  • HUD Housing Counselor Search: https://www.hud.gov/states/wisconsin

• WIHousingsearch.org

  • Description: A state and WHEDA-supported online search engine for affordable, available housing.

  • Website: WIHousingsearch.org

• Foundation for Rural Housing

  • Description: Offers rental assistance, security deposit, and utility assistance programs in most Wisconsin counties (except Milwaukee, Dane, and Racine).

  • Phone: 608-238-3448

  • Email: wrh@wisconsinruralhousing.com

• Veterans Affairs Emergency Housing Hotline

  • Description: For homeless veterans seeking assistance.

  • Phone: 877-424-3838

5. Legal Assistance

• Legal Action of Wisconsin

  • Description: Provides free civil legal services to low-income persons, including issues related to family law, crime victim rights, housing, public benefits, and consumer matters.

  • Phone: 855-947-2529

  • Website: Search for "Legal Action of Wisconsin"

• Wisconsin Judicare

  • Description: Offers legal assistance for low-income individuals, primarily in northern Wisconsin.

  • Phone: 800-472-1638 or 715-842-1681

  • Website: Search for "Wisconsin Judicare"

• Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW)

  • Description: The state's federally funded protection and advocacy agency for people with disabilities, offering legal assistance and advocacy.

  • Phone: 715-736-1232 or 800-928-8778

  • Website: Search for "Disability Rights Wisconsin"

• Wisconsin Court System - Self-Help Resources

  • Description: Provides information on how the courts work and resources for representing yourself in court.

  • Website: http://www.wicourts.gov/services/public/selfhelp/index.htm

• End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin

  • Description: A statewide non-profit that can provide resources for victims of domestic violence, including legal advocacy.

  • National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233

  • Website: Search for "End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin"

6. Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Support

• National Domestic Violence Hotline

  • Phone: 800-799-7233

• End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin

  • Description: Statewide non-profit providing resources and advocacy for victims of domestic abuse.

  • Website: Search for "End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin"

• DAIS (Domestic Abuse Intervention Services - Dane County)

  • Description: Works to ensure the safety and well-being of domestic violence survivors and their families. Offers a helpline and text line.

  • Help Line: 608-251-4445

  • Text Help Line: 608-420-4638

  • Website: https://abuseintervention.org/

• Local Shelters & Crisis Centers:

  • Description: For immediate safety, contact 911. For local shelter options, use 211 Wisconsin.

7. Senior Assistance

• Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)

  • Description: Gateways to long-term care services for older adults and people with disabilities. They can help connect seniors to various resources. Find your local ADRC through 211 or by searching online.

  • Milwaukee County ADRC: 414-289-6874

  • Racine County ADRC: 866-219-1043

  • Dane County ADRC: 855-417-6892 or 608-240-7400

• Greater Wisconsin Agency on Aging Resources

  • Description: A non-profit assisting seniors in navigating available resources across 70 Wisconsin counties.

  • Phone: 608-243-5670

• Wisconsin Medicaid Programs for Seniors

  • Description: Provides various programs for eligible seniors to maintain their quality of life, including long-term care.

  • General Phone (DHS): 608-266-1865

• Adult Protective Services

  • Description: Aids elders and at-risk adults who are being abused, neglected, or exploited.

  • General Phone (DHS): 608-266-1865

• Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHS)

  • Description: Provides aid and resources for the deaf and hard of hearing community.

  • General Phone: 855-359-5252

8. Disability Support Services

• Disability Rights Wisconsin (DRW)

  • Description: The state's federally funded protection and advocacy agency, providing legal assistance and support for people with disabilities.

  • Phone: 715-736-1232 or 800-928-8778

  • Website: Search for "Disability Rights Wisconsin"

• Aging and Disability Resource Centers (ADRCs)

  • Description: (See Senior Assistance section) Main points of access for long-term supports and services for people with disabilities.

• Think Ability Wisconsin

  • Description: Connects individuals with navigators who can help access over 7,000 services, programs, and resources for people with disabilities.

  • Website: https://www.thinkabilitywi.org/

• Independent Living Centers (ILCs)

  • Description: Consumer-controlled, community-based non-profit agencies that provide independent living services. Contact your region's ILC for specific services.

• Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

  • Description: Addresses the specific needs of people with developmental disabilities and advocates for community inclusion.

  • Website: Search for "Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities"

• Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin

  • Description: Provides information and resources for individuals with traumatic brain injuries and their loved ones.

  • Website: Search for "Brain Injury Alliance of Wisconsin"

9. Child & Family Services

• Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF)

  • Description: Oversees child protective services, adoption and foster care, juvenile justice, child care subsidies (Wisconsin Shares), child support enforcement, and more.

  • General Phone (DCF): 608-266-9049

  • Website: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/

• Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board (Children's Trust Fund)

  • Description: Administers funds for strategies to prevent child abuse and neglect in Wisconsin.

  • Website: Search for "Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board"

• Head Start Centers

  • Description: Programs promoting school readiness for young children from low-income families.

  • Website: Search for "Head Start Wisconsin"

10. Unemployment & Workforce Development

• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) - Unemployment Insurance

  • Description: Provides information and assistance for unemployment benefits.

  • Website: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/ui/

• Wisconsin Job Centers

  • Description: Offer services to help individuals find employment, including job search assistance, training programs, and career counseling.

  • Website: https://www.wisconsinjobcenter.org/

11. Healthcare Assistance

• Wisconsin Medicaid / BadgerCare+

  • Description: Health insurance programs for eligible children, low-income individuals, and families.

  • Website: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/medicaid/index.htm (for Medicaid) and https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/badgercareplus/index.htm (for BadgerCare+)

• ACCESS Wisconsin

  • Description: An online tool to determine potential eligibility for health, nutrition, and other social services.

  • Website: https://access.wisconsin.gov/

• Veterans Administration (VA) Healthcare

  • Description: Information on VA healthcare-related benefits and hospital locations.

  • Website: Search for "VA Wisconsin healthcare"

• Workers' Compensation

  • Description: Insurance providing medical coverage and partial salary payment for job-related injuries and illnesses.

  • Website: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/wc/

Disclaimer: This list is a general guide and may not be exhaustive. Program eligibility and availability can change. It is always recommended to contact the organizations directly or utilize 211 Wisconsin for the most current and personalized assistance. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.