Children’s Long-Term Support: Information for Counties
The Wisconsin Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Program helps kids with disabilities and their families. Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) uses Medicaid funds to offer a range of services. County waiver agencies (CWAs) help families access these services. Support for a child and their family depends on their specific needs and goals.
CWAs can learn more about the program on this page.
Essential children's resources
Wisconsin Wayfinder supports families of children with delays, disabilities, special health care needs, and mental health conditions. Children’s resource guides are helpers who assist families, caregivers, professionals, and organizations in finding a wide array of supports and services available through the Children’s Resource Network.
CWAs work with us and help run the program. DHS is responsible for making sure that all rules of the program are followed. We use program funds based on rules from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
As a CWA, you help connect families to services they need. That includes authorizing registered providers, who offer the services.
With the family, we find ways for a child to live their best life. We call our team approach Deciding Together.
CLTS waiver renewal
The new waiver will go into effect January 1, 2027.
Technical assistance
The Bureau of Children's Services (BCS) Technical Assistance Center (BCS TAC) provides support to local programs and agencies.
Training resources
There are trainings for support and service coordinators and others helping kids with disabilities.
Forms and publications
Find CLTS Program forms and helpful publications.
Families who are in the CLTS Program have rights that help each child receive supports and services fairly. They have the right to:
- Review the Participant Rights and Responsibilities Notification, F-20985 (available in multiple languages).
- Appeal or file a grievance about the program. If they don’t agree with or don’t understand a decision, they can:
- Talk with the support and service coordinator (SSC).
- Ask questions at any time.
- Request an appeal through the State Division of Hearings and Appeals.
- Complete the county’s grievance process.
- Deciding Together Guide, P-02246 (available in multiple languages)
- Individual Service Plan, F-20455 (available in multiple languages)
- Supported Decision Making
- Bureau of Children's Services (BCS) Technical Assistance Center: DHSBCSTAC@dhs.wisconsin.gov or 608-267-6767
- Children’s Programs Email Addresses
- CLTS Operations Team (844-942-5870 or cltsoperations@gainwelltechnologies.com Monday through Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
- County Contact Information
These links are for parents, participants, and caregivers. They are helpful for county staff to know:
Related topics
We are here to support you and your team. The listed links have more details about the program.