Children’s Long-Term Support: Waiver Renewal
DHS has submitted the CLTS Program Waiver Application
On July 24, 2026, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) submitted the final draft of the 1915(c) waiver application for the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program. The waiver application is now being reviewed for approval by our federal partners at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). DHS anticipates receiving final approval from CMS later this year, with the new waiver going into effect on January 1, 2027.
While CMS reviews the waiver, DHS will prepare to implement the changes made in the waiver applications. DHS will host implementation teleconferences for county waiver agencies (CWAs) and providers through 2026 and 2027. DHS will also share implementation resources and FAQs to ensure that all families, CWAs, and providers are aware of the changes to the program.
Implementation updates and resources for families, CWAs, and providers will be posted on this webpage throughout the process.
Background on the CLTS Waiver Renewal
DHS is working to renew the CLTS Program waiver applications for 2027–2031. The waiver is our permission from the federal government to run the CLTS Program, which provides children with disabilities and their families access to long-term supports and services at home and in the community. The waiver describes many different parts of the CLTS Program, including the services offered and who is eligible. Renewing the CLTS Program waiver is a chance for DHS to review all these details and make changes to improve the program for the next five years.
Every five years, DHS must submit a waiver renewal application to CMS to continue running the CLTS Program. The current CLTS Program waiver expires at the end of 2026. The next waiver application, once approved by CMS, would begin on January 1, 2027, and remain in effect through 2031.
In preparation for the waiver renewal, DHS gathered input from families, counties, program providers, and advocates about possible improvements to the CLTS Program. Much of that input focused on increasing consistency across counties and strengthening supports and services for families. DHS used that input to create the first draft of the new CLTS waiver renewal application.
DHS accepted public comments on the draft waivers from May 14, 2026, through June 13, 2026. Updates were made to the waiver application based on the public feedback that was received. This final draft version was then submitted for approval to our federal partners.
More information about the waiver renewal process
- Concept Paper (PDF)
- Waiver Renewal Summary (PDF)
- Family Input Session slides
View a recording of a family input session
View a recording of the provider input session
What are the current CLTS Program waivers?
The approved 2022–2026 CLTS Program waivers include:
- The Application for §1915(c) Home and Community-Based Services Waiver (PDF), which describes CLTS services, eligibility, and other rules for the program.
- The Application for Section 1915(b)(4) Waiver Fee-for-Service Selective Contracting Program (PDF), which describes how the program works with counties.