Connection Resources

Resources for use in local communities to increase social connection.

Local Wisconsin Resources

Social-Ecological Model of Loneliness and Impact Pyramid
Healthy, Safe and Connected Resource Toolkit – Developed by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. Toolkit can be completed online, or it can be downloaded and printed (see page 27 for the Stay Connected section). It’s also available in Spanish and Hmong. Click here for more information.
WI Consumer Resource Guide – Resources for older adults and people with disabilities to stay socially connected and engaged.
Customizable Social Isolation Resource Guide – Developed by the UW-Madison Division of Extension for professionals to use in their community.
Timeslips Creativity Center
Wisconsin Bike Fed’s Cycling Without Age Watch the webinar to learn more.
DHS American Rescue Plan Act: Social Connection DHS Funded several organizations across the state to help fight loneliness and make communities more livable for older adults and people with disabilities. Visit the page to learn how organizations are using these funds.
Wisconsin Social Connection & Livable Communities Coalitions
Wisconsin Social Rx – The grassroots effort to improve healthcare through community-based arts, culture, and nature interventions.
Wisconsin Arts Board – A state agency that nurtures creativity, cultivates expression, promotes the arts, supports the arts in education, stimulates community and economic development, and serves as a resource for people of every culture and heritage.

Find more resources under Connect with Others

National Resources

Become a champion of social connection on the Nationwide Network of Champions. Hosted by the Commit to Connect initiative, this online and free community fosters collaboration, networking, and problem-solving across sectors and perspectives. Champions are professionals, volunteers, and innovators at local, state, and national levels who are dedicated to ending social isolation and loneliness. Champions work together to increase awareness of social isolation and loneliness, connect people who are/or at risk of social isolation to social connection programs and technologies, and create more socially connected communities inclusive of all people including older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers. This network of peers supports collaboration through shared learnings and open communication across sectors and perspectives. Register to become a Commit to Connect Champion to have access to a nationwide network, and a private Wisconsin community, where Champions can connect and share questions, learnings, and resources.

Network of Champions

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Need support now? If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
988 Partner Toolkit – Communication outreach materials (includes fact sheets, 988 logo and branding, e-newsletter template, radio PSA scripts, presentation deck, implementation guidance playbooks, printable materials, and social media shareables).
engAGED: A National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults
AARP Foundation Connect2Affect
NIH: Loneliness & Social Isolation – Tips for Staying Connected
Coalition to End Social Isolation and Loneliness
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
Find Help Search and connect to help by zip code
Action Guide for Building Socially Connected Communities
Brown University’s initiative for drivers of home-delivered meals
The SOCIAL Framework in The Built Environment Report
Art Pharmacy – Delivering evidence-based solutions by connecting members with non-clinical community-based activities with protective and therapeutic benefits.
Project UnLonely – Build connection through the power of short films that explore loneliness, connection, and the healing power of human relationships.

Find more resources at Connect with Others

WCSC-Promoted Resources

The below resources are those used after utilizing the WCSC-promoted UCLA 3-item tool

National:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Need support now? If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org
988 Partner Toolkit – Communication outreach materials (includes fact sheets, 988 logo and branding, e-newsletter template, radio PSA scripts, presentation deck, implementation guidance playbooks, printable materials, and social media shareables)
engAGED: A National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults houses best and emerging social engagement programs. Searchable by a variety of filters.

State:

Stay Connected Toolkit – Developed by the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities. Toolkit can be completed online, or it can be downloaded and printed. It’s also available in Spanish and Hmong. Click here for more information.
WI Consumer Resource Guide – resources for older adults and people with disabilities to stay socially connected and engaged.

Local:

Customizable Social Isolation Resource Guide – developed by the UW-Madison Division of Extension
Consumer Flyer

Awareness Resources

Measurement Resources

Publications

Commit to Connect

Commit to Connect is a national organization dedicated to connecting people with resources that help fight social isolation and loneliness. The Network of Champions is a hub for people across the country to join and work together to increase awareness of social isolation and loneliness, connect people at risk of social isolation, and create more socially connected communities. The Innovations Hub is a one-stop-shop to find a list of interventions that address isolation and loneliness and increase connection.