How We Help
Children’s Resource Center North is a resource for families with children (0-22) who have any type of disability, special health care need, or need help finding a diagnosis.
We also offer parent support with loans from our resource library, scholarships to training and conferences, peer support from staff with lived experiences, and referrals to our statewide Parent-to-Parent support network. We are located in Wausau, Wisconsin and support 15 counties and 7 tribes. Staff are available to help problem-solve, provide information or make referrals to community, state, and national resources. We regularly travel in the area so can drop off resources, meet for coffee, or host a training in your home community.
Our Staff- use the Contact Us page to reach out to any of us for help
Allison Lourash, Program Manager
Hello, I am so excited to use over 20 years of personal and professional experience working with families who are navigating systems at the Northern Regional Center. Being born with a physical disability, as well as other personal experiences, has shaped my career and this role is a great fit as I love connecting people to resources and information. Before coming to the Northern Regional Center, I worked in adult systems serving people with disabilities in variety of roles around increasing employment and community connections. I also have a strong interest in transition from my work coordinating accommodations at a college and having been an advocate for families by providing transition resources and training.
Sara Owens-Keenan, Resource Guide
Hello there! My name is Sara Owens-Keenan, and I’m so happy and honored to serve in a role that blends my experience as a parent of an Autistic child and previous career as a clinical social worker. I reached out to the regional center looking for caregiver support after my child was diagnosed, and I feel passionate about and motivated to offer others the same resources and support I received. I appreciate learning from people’s unique lived experiences and then facilitating access to information, services, and additional connections based on that. Before joining the Resource CEnter, I worked as a stay-at-home parent for two children. Before that, I worked with youth and families experiencing mental health issues across a variety of settings, including schools, outpatient mental health centers, and psychiatric hospitals.
Holly Ford, Resource Guide
Holly has a background in education, and before moving to the Wausau area, was providing coaching to staff and curriculum development for neurodiverse students at a pre-school. Holly recently moved to the area for her husband’s new call to ministry at a local church. Her family of four are all Neurodivergent and she is passionate about being an advocate for the Neurodiverse and Disability Communities. Holly is originally from St. Louis and is excited to learn more about the resources in the area and help families.
CYSHCN Philosophy
We believe that:
- Children are best served within their family
- Children and families are best supported within the context of their community
- Families need to have convenient access to care coordinators
- Collaboration is the best way to provide comprehensive services
- Family perspectives and presence must be included in all aspects of the system.
Our goal is to meet the needs of children and youth with special needs by focusing on the unique strengths of family members, responding to all requests in a timely manner, by finding resources as close to home as possible and by working with local partners collaboratively to serve the children and their families.
CYSHCN Mission
The Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Program will collaborate with national, state, and community-based partners to link children to appropriate services, close service gaps, reduce duplication and develop policies to better serve families.