Services for Children with Delays or Disabilities
Getting started: Connect with a children's resource guide
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. Their services are free and confidential. Connect with a children's resource guide. Call (877) WiscWay or use our contact form.
Children's programs
Wisconsin has multiple programs available for children with delays or disabilities. The programs listed below assist families in caring for their child at home and in the community. Families may be eligible for one or more programs based on their assessed need. For each of the programs below, click on the name to learn more about what the program provides, eligibility criteria, and how to apply.
Birth to 3 Program
The Birth to 3 Program is for children ages birth to three years old. Eligibility is based on a diagnosed disability or developmental delay in how a child plays, learns, speaks, and acts. The program values the family’s primary relationship with their child and works in partnership with the family.
The Children's Long-Term Support Program provides services for children and young adults under the age of 22 with significant developmental, physical, or emotional disabilities. Supports and services are available to help waiver participants and their families to remain in their home or community.
Katie Beckett Medicaid
Katie Beckett Medicaid is for children under 19 years old with long-term disabilities or complex medical needs. Children who are not eligible for other Medicaid programs, because their parents' income or assets are too high, may be eligible for Medicaid through the Katie Beckett Program.
Children's Community Options Program
Children's Community Options Program provides a coordinated approach to supporting families who have a child with a disability. The intention is to better support, nurture, and facilitate self-determination, interdependence, and inclusion in all facets of community life for the child and family.
Care4Kids Program
The Care4Kids Program ensures that children in foster care receive individualized treatment plans to address their specific health care needs, including trauma-related care. As a result, children in community settings are expected to have improved physical and mental health, improved resiliency, and shorter stays in out-of-home care.
Other resources
Key documents
- Children's Services Programs: Cross Comparison, P-02991: Learn about the key features of Katie Beckett Medicaid, the CLTS Program, and CCOP.
- Children's Programs Eligibility and Functional Screen, P-03061: Understand how eligibility is determined for Katie Beckett Medicaid, the CLTS Program, CCOP, and CCS.
- Medicaid and Children's Services Program Benefits Overview, P-02996: Get information about the benefits of some of DHS' most popular children's services programs.
- Helpful Resources for Families in Children's Services Programs, P-03036: Learn about children's programs and how to stay connected.
Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN)
The CYSHCN program promotes quality care for children and youth with special health care needs in Wisconsin.
Youth in Transition
Learn about supports and services available for students with disabilities after high school. The sooner the planning begins for life after high school, the smoother the transition.
Community Resources for Families and Children
Find national and state resources for children with disabilities and their families.