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Community Outreach Wisconsin (COW) is a group of unique cutting-edge programs within the University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the Waisman Center, UW-Madison. These programs work extensively with individuals and community teams supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Our Programs

Community TIES (Training, Intervention, and Evaluation Services) Behavioral Support

TIES Clinic

Crisis Response (in collaboration with Responsive Solutions Inc.)

Adaptation and Modification (A&M) (in collaboration with Responsive Solutions Inc.)

Community Training

Wellness Inclusion Nursing (WIN)

The Waisman Center celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2023.  For more information about the Waisman Center’s history and upcoming events coming throughout the year, please click here.

In remembrance of Don Anderson

The Waisman Center community is saddened by the passing of Don Anderson, MSSW, in March 3, 2023. Anderson was a clinical assistant professor in the UW-Madison Sandra Rosenbaum School of Social Work and the Waisman Center from 1974 to 2004. Anderson is best known for his work dedicated to improving services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities (IDD) and training the next generation of social workers serving this community. Click here to learn more.

Training and Event Calendar

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Community Outreach Wisconsin COVID-19 Response

 Updated 05/13/2023

As many of our community partners, we continue navigating the challenge of offering our services while safeguarding the health and well-being of individuals we serve and our dedicated staff.  Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic we have implemented some  important changes to our practices and are happy that Community Wisconsin Outreach staff are able to have in person contact with participants and families again.

Below you will find updated information about our respective programs and an abbreviated overview of major safety protocols:

  • Our Olin office will be open again for  visitors. Community Outreach staff have the option to work out of their respective homes to reduce the total number of staff present in our office at any given time. N-95 or surgical masks are provided for all staff and visitors and are encouraged.
  • Team meetings for all programs will primarily continue via conference calls or online meeting apps. Community Outreach staff are happy to host HIPAA compliant meetings via Webex or ZOOM.  Small in-person meetings are possible in our shared conference room.
  • The TIES clinic will continue to operate via tele-health.
  • Community Trainings will be offered both in-person, but also in an online format.
  • Community Outreach staff will work remotely when symptomatic and are provided with face masks, hand sanitizer, and necessary cleaning/disinfecting supplies. WIN nurses have access to additional PPE.

We will continue to monitor state and local data, follow CDC, DHS, City of Madison, and Dane County Public Health guidelines as well as Waisman Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison policies and procedures and will adjust this plan as needed.

Additional information about UW-Madison’s Covid-19 response can be found at https://covidresponse.wisc.edu/ .

Please reach out to us if you have any questions. We can be reached at our typical phone numbers and email addresses.