In 1997, the Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services (now the Department of Health Services), charged the Children's Committee on Long Term Care to develop options and recommendations on how services to children with long-term care needs should be designed and managed. The goal of the committee was to recommend a system in which Wisconsin children and families participate (as they choose) in all aspects of their community, pursue their dreams and live with hope, regardless of disability (ability). In the new system, families and their children with disabilities will pursue their unique hopes and dreams through family-designed and controlled, individualized assistance which is seamless, for as long as needed, with a variety of responsive community partners.

The Committee released a report (PDF, 830 KB) on their work in 1998.  This report articulates a vision of the key elements and framework for this initiative, and continues to provide the guiding vision for the work of the Children's Long-Term Support Council. 

Report of the Committee: A Foundation for a System of Long-Term Support for Wisconsin Children and Families
(Phase I)  (PDF, 830 KB)

Children's Long-Term Support Council

Next Meeting
October 21, 2009
10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Agenda
(PDF, 23 KB)

LaQuinta Hotel
5217 E. Terrace Dr.
Madison, WI
Directions

Overview.  Wisconsin has nearly 10,000 children with disabilities resulting in long-term support needs. Children with disabilities that occur during their developmental period frequently have severe impairments that are likely to continue indefinitely; and often require lifelong services, individualized supports, and other forms of assistance. These children also have capabilities and competencies, and make a contribution to the community, particularly in cases in which children and their families are provided with necessary services, supports, and other assistance. Children need the opportunity to live, learn, and participate in all aspects of community life.

Family members, friends, and members of the community play a central and important role in enhancing the lives of children with long-term support needs.

The Council for Children with Long-Term Support Needs (CLTS) is charged with providing recommendations to the Secretary regarding the needed infrastructures, accountability measures and mechanisms, financing systems, training programs, and program design elements necessary to implement service delivery systems in communities throughout the State to provide services, supports, and other assistance that address the needs of children with long-term support needs and their families who want to live, learn, and participate in all aspects of community life.  Read the full version of the Council's Establishment, Mission and Responsibilities (PDF, 24 KB) 

Department of Health and Family Services Secretary Helene Nelson's Charge to the Council.  The purpose of the Council for CLTS is to promote the vision and principles for a system of supports for children with disabilities, from birth to 21 years of age, and their families as described by the Children's Committee on Long-Term Support Redesign in the paper: A Foundation for a System of Long-term Support for Wisconsin Children and Families (12/98). The Council will advise the DHFS on the goals and strategies for implementing statewide services and supports for children with disabilities and their families. This will be accomplished through the development of initiatives in each of the five core areas identified in this paper, including: access, choice, coordination, quality and financing. The Secretary charges the Council for CLTS with the mission to propose action oriented strategies, including policies, practices, and procedures, designed to coordinate the provision of long-term supports and services for children and families in the State of Wisconsin consistent with theses values and principles.

The Secretary requires that the recommendations of the Council for design, implementation and evaluation of programs, projects, and activities shall be in accordance with Federal and State law, including the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act, the Rehabilitation Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Title XIX of the Social Security Act (Medicaid), and relevant Chapters of the State of Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Recommendations Made by the CLTS Council

Membership of the Council.  Print-Friendly Membership Roster (PDF, 22 KB)

The CLTS Council currently has two vacancies, one for a county human service representative and one for a parent representative. If you or someone you know is interested in applying to be a member of this Council, please see the appropriate information below:

• Letter for Prospective Parent Representative to CLTS Council (PDF, 23 KB)

• Letter for Prospective County Human Services Representative to CLTS Council (PDF, 23 KB)

Meetings.  The Council meets quarterly. Each meeting date will be published here when it is known. Meeting agendas and approved final minutes of past meetings will be published as they are available. The Council approves final minutes for one meeting as a matter of business at the next meeting. After the minutes have been approved by the Council, they are published to this website.

• 2008 Meeting Information

• 2007 Meeting Information

• 2006 Meeting Information

• 2005 Meeting Information

Contact.  If you have questions about this Council, please contact Theresa Walske at 608-267-7285 or by e-mail at theresa.walske@wisconsin.gov.

Last Revised: October 16, 2009