COVID-19: Updates for County Agencies Serving Children With Delays or Disabilities
Information about the COVID-19 virus is changing rapidly. The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has established this page to keep county agencies that administer programs for children with delays or disabilities informed about news, resources, and policy related to the virus so they can effectively care for participants and families. County agencies are encouraged to check this page frequently to stay informed in this quickly evolving situation.
Children’s Long-Term Support (CLTS) Waiver Program and Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP)
DHS is committed to protecting the health and safety of our CLTS Waiver Program and CCOP participants and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective May 13, 2020, all support and service coordination contacts may be completed either face-to-face or remotely, by phone or alternate electronic or virtual method. In‐person service coordination contacts required by the CLTS Waiver Program Manual (P-02256) may be completed either face-to-face or remotely, including:
- In‐person contacts and assessments required by policy.
- Initial or recertification CLTS Functional Screens required by policy.
DHS is committed to reducing the risk of COVID‐19 exposure to program participants and staff. It is imperative to take measures to protect populations at an elevated risk of becoming seriously ill should they become infected. In-person contacts can be replaced by phone or online contact that will not jeopardize the health and safety of the member.
County waiver agencies (CWAs) must work with families to affirm their acceptance of remote service during this health pandemic. The family leads this decision and the CWA ensures the family’s decision is authorized in compliance with program requirements.
Discussion with the family about face-to-face support and service coordination must include information about available options and risks associated with each option. CWAs should review available information from their local public health department authorities and align their practices for face-to-face service delivery with the guidance from those local authorities.
All time frame requirements for intake, eligibility, service coordination, etc. remain in place.
Please contact your children and family program specialist with any questions.
Individual face-to-face services temporarily allowed as remote services
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following covered services can be provided to CLTS and CCOP participants remotely:
- Community integration services
- Counseling and therapeutic services for which the desired outcome can be accomplished via verbal and visual cueing
- Including camps authorized through federal procedure codes T2036 and T2037
- Daily living skills training
- Day services
- Home modification
- Housing counseling
- Mentoring
- Relocation services
- Support and service coordination
- Supported employment-individual and small group
- Supportive home care
Group setting face-to-face services temporarily allowed as remote services
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the following covered services can be provided to CLTS and CCOP participants remotely in group settings:
- Counseling and therapeutic services for which the desired outcome can be accomplished via verbal and visual cueing
- Community integration services
- Consumer education and training
- Daily living skills training
- Day services
- Housing counseling
- Mentoring
- Supported employment–small group
- Supportive home care
- Training for parents and/or guardians and families of children with disabilities
Services that can always be provided remotely
The following services may be provided remotely for the CLTS Waiver Program and CCOP:
- Assistive technology and communication aids
- Consumer education and training
- Training for parents and/or guardians and families of children with disabilities
Remote provision is not applicable for the following services:
- Adaptive aids
- Financial management services
- Personal emergency response system relocation services
- Specialized medical and therapeutic supplies
Remote provision is prohibited for the following services:
- Adult family home
- Child care
- Children’s foster care
- Respite
- Excluding camps authorized through federal procedure codes T2036 and T2037
- Transportation
Questions and answers are now available for the CLTS Waiver Program and CCOP. These Q&As explain program operations during COVID-19 and updates are reviewed at monthly teleconferences with county agencies.
The response to COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, and CLTS and CCOP providers are directed to get the latest information about Medicaid Telehealth from the Telehealth Resources for Providers page on the ForwardHealth portal. FAQs are also available.
Emails
- Children’s Long-Term Support County Leads and Comprehensive Community Services (CCS): Temporary policy around telehealth policy and clarifications for behavioral health and targeted case management providers (03/26/20)
- Remote Provision of Children's Long-Term Support Waiver Program Services (03/25/20)
- COVID-19 Update for Children's Programs (03/24/20)
- Bureau of Children’s Services: Suspension of Face-to-Face Requirements (03/13/20)
Guides
Communications to Families
The COVID-19: Updates to Services for Children with Delays and Disabilities family page provides children and families with the most up-to-date information they need to know during COVID-19.
Birth to 3 Program
DHS is committed to protecting the health and safety of our Birth to 3 Program participants and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Effective May 13, 2020, the following contacts may be completed either face-to-face or remotely, by phone or alternate electronic or virtual method:
- Intake (initial home visits)
- Evaluation and Individualized Family Service Plans
- Ongoing service delivery (home visits)
- Service coordination
DHS is committed to reducing the risk of COVID‐19 exposure to program participants and staff. It is imperative to take measures to protect populations at an elevated risk of becoming seriously ill should they become infected.
County Birth to 3 Programs must work with families to affirm their acceptance of face-to-face service during the COVID-19 pandemic. The family leads this decision. Discussion with the family should address available options for service delivery and risks associated with each option. County Birth to 3 Programs should review available information from their local public health department authorities and align their practices for face-to-face service delivery with the guidance from those local authorities. Remote provision of services continues to be available.
Please contact your children and family program specialist with any questions.
Questions and answers are now available for Birth to 3 providers and county agencies. These Q&As explain program operations during COVID-19 and updates are reviewed at monthly teleconferences with county agencies.
The response to COVID-19 is rapidly evolving, and CLTS and CCOP providers are directed to get the latest information about Medicaid Telehealth from the Telehealth Resources for Providers page on the ForwardHealth portal. FAQs are also available.
Emails
- Wisconsin Birth to 3 Updates for Counties—Suspension of Face-to-Face Visits (3/19/20)
- COVID-19 Update for Birth to 3 Programs (3/24/20)
- Update: Innovation in Social-Emotional Development Grants (3/25/20)
- Enhanced Reimbursement for Telehealth Therapy During COVID-19 (4/17/20)
- Help the Birth to 3 Program Reach Wisconsin Children and Families (6/3/20)
Communications to Families
The COVID-19: Updates to Services for Children with Delays and Disabilities family page provides children and families with the most up-to-date information they need to know during COVID-19.