Children’s Long-Term Support: Waiver Renewal

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) is planning to renew the Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program waiver. Waivers allow DHS to have Medicaid programs like CLTS. The CLTS Program waiver provides children with disabilities and their families access to long-term supports and services at home and in the community.

The waiver needs to be renewed and approved by the federal government every five years. The CLTS Program waiver is due for renewal by January 1, 2027. This is a chance for us to make the CLTS Program better between 2027 and 2031.

Will the CLTS Program change?

We want to use this opportunity to make the program the best it can be. With your input, we aim to improve services and supports for children and families.

For more information about what improvements we can make to the program, please read our CLTS Waiver Renewal Concept Paper (PDF). It gives more background information and describes possible changes we can make to improve consistency and access to CLTS services.

How can I get involved?

DHS wants your feedback! Here’s how you can get involved:

Send us your feedback

Email your ideas and thoughts to DHSCLTSWaiverRenewal@dhs.wisconsin.gov. We welcome your input at any time about any CLTS topic. We want your input on:

• What works well in the CLTS Program?
• What could work better in the CLTS Program?
• Are there any CLTS services that are unclear or could be improved?
• Are there other changes to the CLTS Program that we should think about?

Take a survey or attend an input session this month

There are opportunities to give us your input about the CLTS Program. We’ll use your input to draft changes to the waiver so we can make the program the best it can be from 2027 to 2031.

Learn more about family input sessions

Look forward to reading the draft waiver changes in 2026

You’ll be able to see what’s changing and share feedback during a 30-day public comment period and Tribal consultation.

What’s the timeline?

The renewed waivers will be in effect January 1, 2027. Here’s what will happen:

1. Jul.–Oct. 2025: Participants, families, and partners give input on the program.
2. Oct. 2025–Mar. 2026: DHS finalizes proposed changes using external feedback and begins internal approvals.
3. Apr. 2026: 30-day public comment and Tribal consultation begins.
4. Jul. 2026: DHS submits proposed changes to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
5. Jan. 2027: The renewed waivers are in effect.

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.