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Caring for a child who has significant disabilities can feel overwhelming, but there are programs designed to support your family. One of these is the Children’s Long Term Support Program (CLTS). CLTS is a Medicaid-connected program that helps families who are raising children with disabilities who need the level of care they would otherwise receive in a hospital, nursing home, or institution for people with developmental disabilities. The goal is to help children stay at home with their families and remain connected to their communities.
Although CLTS is federally and state-funded, it is administered at the county level. To get started, you can contact your local county health and human services agency. They will help guide you through the next steps. This includes filling out an application, meeting with a Support and Service Coordinator (SSC) during a home visit, learning about your child’s care needs through an online tool, and confirming your child’s disability status. To qualify for the program, a child must be eligible for Medicaid, have a significant disability, be under age 22, and live at home or in foster care.
CLTS can cover a wide range of supports, including home modifications (such as ramps), specialized therapies (such as music therapy and equine therapy), respite care, adaptive equipment, and training or educational opportunities for parents and caregivers, among other things.
Parenting is tough, but there are supports out there to help you along your journey. Check out some of our resources below to learn more about the Children’s Long Term Support Program (CLTS).
Resources
Learn in the Champion Classrooms
- Get Ready: An Introduction to Children’s Long-Term Support Program
- About Wisconsin Wayfinder Children’s Resource Network
- Introduction to Services and Resources for Children With Disabilities: A Family Voices “Did You Know” Learning Session