Community Resources

Family and Children Support

 

WIC

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) nutrition program provides supplemental foods and nutrition education to help keep pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, infants and children under five years of age healthy and strong.
To find out more, or to schedule an appointment call WIC at 608-742-9254.

 

Child Care Assistance

Child Care Assistance (Wisconsin Shares Program) helps low-income working families pay for their child care. Assistance can be provided to families with children up to the age of 13. In special circumstances, children over the age of 13 may be eligible. Families must be income eligible and be in a qualifying activity. Child care must be provided by a licensed or certified child care provider. To obtain information about Child Care providers in your area, please contact Community Coordinated Child Care (4-C's) at 608-271-9181. 

 

Aspen Family Counseling

Aspen Family Counseling is a unique, full service, outpatient community resource specializing in comprehensive consultation, evaluation and psychotherapy for:
families, individuals, specialized groups, schools and businesses.

2639 New Pinery Rd., Suite 1
Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-5020
Emergency Contact:
(608) 202-5020

Free Immunization Clinics Portage

 

Wisconsin Seal-A-Smile

According to Oral Health America, approximately 75 percent of teeth sealed remain cavity free, compared to less than a third of teeth without sealants. The Alliance administers mini grants for school-based and school-linked dental sealant programs. During the 2014-15 school year, more than 25,000 Wisconsin children in 850 schools received sealants.
Please contact Matt Crespin at 
(414) 337-4562.

Behavioral Health & Long Term Support

 

Birth to 3 Program

The Birth to 3 Program is a service to assist families in supporting their child’s development. If your child has difficulty with learning, communicating, moving or has a diagnosed medical, physical or mental condition such as Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Vision or Hearing impairment etc., they may be eligible to receive services

 

Crisis Services

Columbia County contracts with Northwest Connections to provide emergency mental health and substance abuse services on a twenty-four hour basis for residents of Columbia County. The Crisis Call Center is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by dialing 1-888-552-6642. Mobile crisis services are also available when necessary to assess risk and assist in the development of a safety plan.

 

Outpatient Therapy & Psychiatry

The County provides funding for outpatient therapy and psychiatry for adults and youth who do not have access to other funding for mental health or substance abuse services.  County funded therapy is intended to be short term in nature and for the purpose of stabilization.  To qualify, individuals mus be a resident of Columbia County, have a mental health or substance abuse diagnosis, and be experiencing difficulty functioning in their daily lives.  Individuals are asked to pay a monthly copayment for services based on their income.  We use federal poverty guidelines to determine the amount of copayment.  We are currently contracting with the Pauquette Center and Aspen Counseling for outpatient services.

 

Respite Services

Respite is available to aid the families and caregivers with the care of the disabled individual. It allows for time out from the day-to-day care and the supervision necessary to maintain developmentally disabled people in their homes.

Divine Savior Health Care Respite Program

2817 New Pinery Rd. 
Portage,WI 53901           
Phone: (608) 742-5346

 Family Crisis Support

 

Portage Food Pantry

Serves residents of the Portage Community School District 

Episcopal Church, 
211 W. Pleasant St.
Portage, WI 53901      
(608) 742-3774

Monday 11:00am–12:00pm
Wednesday 11:00am–12:00pm
Thursday 5:00pm–6:00pm

 

St. Vincent de Paul

1311 W. Wisconsin St.             
Portage, WI 53901                       
(608) 742-5513 

Monday–Saturday 9:00am–4:30pm

ID and application form required.

St. Vincent de Paul will provide one bag of groceries per month based on family size.

 

2nd Harvest Mobile Food Pantry 

2nd Monday of every month 
11:00am–12:00pm 
(Open to all residents of Columbia County)

Food Share (formerly Food Stamps)

Columbia County Health and Human Services                                        
2652 Murphy Rd., Door #4  
Portage, WI 53901

Food assistance based on income. Check your eligibility or apply for Food Share, healthcare or other services at or call 
(608) 742-9227.

Portage Community Meal

Episcopal Church
211 Pleasant St.
Portage, WI 53901

Free meal available to anyone.    
Served third Saturday of each month, 
11:00am-1:00pm

Portage Homeless Shelters & Services For The Needy

River Haven Shelter

Portage, WI 53901
(608) 742-7687

The River Haven Homeless Shelter is run by the River Haven Steering Committee, representatives from various social agencies, clergy from local churches, business people, and other volunteers. It is open to anyone who would like to work with the project 

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