Bringing familiar items can comfort your child during their hospital stay. You may bring:

• Special toys (without sharp edges)
• Movies
• Pictures, photographs or posters
• Games and books

Also be sure to bring:

• Your health insurance or medical card
• A list of all medicines your child takes
• The name and phone number of your child’s primary care doctor
• Your child’s vaccine record

Children’s Wisconsin no longer accepts cash payments. We accept:

• All major credit and debit cards
• Mobile payments (Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay)

Beginning Aug. 18

To support a safe and secure environment for everyone at Children’s, we’re asking all visitors age 18 and older to bring a photo ID to all our clinical sites statewide. This system will help us know who is in our buildings and make sure everyone is properly identified – just like our team members are.

This is a best practice for safety and security at organizations nationwide. Thank you for helping us maintain a safe environment.

Not sure if you have appropriate photo identification? Check the list.

What Are Acceptable Forms of Identification?

Visitors age 18 and older will be expected to show one of the following photo IDs to receive a visitor badge:

• Valid driver’s license
• Wisconsin state ID
• Military ID
• Passport
• Valid International ID, if not a US citizen

We will accept a student ID if they do not have any of the ID forms listed above.

*SNAP cards are not an acceptable form of ID

For your child’s safety, please leave these items at home:

• Toys with sharp edges
• Small toys with parts that can be swallowed
• Toys that make sparks
• Latex balloons
• Baby walkers
• Personal items of value
• Live animals

Weapons

Weapons and other items that could create a safety risk are prohibited from all Children’s Wisconsin locations unless specifically authorized by Public Safety. Possession of a concealed-carry license or permit does not, by itself, authorize an individual to carry a weapon inside our facilities.

• Firearms, including handguns, rifles and shotguns
• Ammunition
• Knives and other prohibited edged weapons
• Tasers, stun guns and similar devices
• Pepper spray, mace and similar chemical defensive products
• Batons, clubs, brass knuckles and other impact weapons
• Explosive or incendiary devices
• Realistic replica or imitation firearms
• Other objects designed, modified, carried or used as weapons 

We understand that someone may arrive without realizing that an item in a purse, backpack, pocket or other personal belonging is prohibited. Do not conceal the item or attempt to bypass the screening process. Tell a Public Safety or screening team member and follow their instructions.

We are committed to providing a safe environment for everyone at Children’s – our patients, families, visitors and team members. We use a comprehensive approach to safety that includes weapons screening, visitor identification and badging, trained Public Safety professionals, access controls, security technology and specially-trained weapon-detection K9 teams.

Our Public Safety Team is trained to handle all encounters appropriately and professionally, while respecting the privacy, dignity and medical/health needs of everyone who comes through our doors.

Arriving on Campus

• Please use designated family and visitor entrances.
• Be prepared to show an approved photo ID from the list above.
• Consider using our free valet service if you’re running late or have a lot to bring in with you.
• You will pass through weapons screening at any of our entrances. 

The Screening Process

• Please follow the instructions of the screening team.
• Do not leave bags or personal belongings unattended.
• Personal belongings may be subject to additional screening when necessary. This may include:
  • Purses and handbags
  • Backpacks
  • Diaper bags
  • Strollers
  • Medical equipment
  • Packages and other personal belongings
  • Hard eye glass cases
  • Laptops
  • Metal water bottles

Taking Children Through the Screening Process

Our team members will work to make the screening process as welcoming and efficient as possible. If your child has a sensory need, developmental concern, behavioral need, mobility limitation or other circumstance that could make screening difficult, please tell a Public Safety team member.

Our Weapon-Detection K9 Team

You may see our specially trained weapon-detection K9 team working throughout our hospitals, clinics and campuses. When you see the K9 team, please remember:

• Do not approach or pet the K9 without permission from the handler.
• Do not feed the K9.
• Do not intentionally distract or call to the K9.
• Always follow instructions provided by the K9 handler. 

Although our K9 team is very friendly, they are working members of our Public Safety team. 

If the K9 team identifies an area of concern, Public Safety personnel may conduct additional screening or take other appropriate safety measures.

Visitor Identification and Badges

Visitor identification and badging help us know who is in our facilities and support a safe environment for patients, families and team members. Depending on the facility or area you are visiting, adult visitors may be asked to:

• Present identification.
• Complete visitor registration.
• Receive and wear a visitor badge.
• Keep the badge visible while inside the facility.
• Return or properly dispose of the badge when leaving, as directed.
• Never give your visitor badge to another person.
• If you lose your badge, please notify a team member. 

Our Expectations for a Safe and Respectful Environment 

Everyone deserves to receive care and work in an environment free from violence, threats and intimidation. The following behaviors are not permitted:

• Violence or attempted violence
• Threatening or intimidating behavior
• Harassment or abusive behavior
• Possession or use of prohibited weapons
• Intentional damage to property
• Interference with safety or security procedures
• Refusal to follow reasonable safety instructions 

Public Safety or law enforcement may become involved when necessary to protect patients, families, visitors and team members.