The Children’s Long-Term Support Program (CLTS) provides funding and support for families who have children with disabilities, who are Medicaid eligible, so they can care for their children at home and participate in their communities. This fact sheet will give you tips as you participate in your child’s eligibility process.

Getting Started with a Functional Screen for CLTS Programs

The Functional Screen is a screening tool that collects information on your child’s health, their need for supports, and how they play and interact with others. Many programs in Wisconsin that give supports and services for children with special needs require that a functional screen be done to check for eligibility. Examples include: CLTS, the Children’s Community Options Program (CCOP), Comprehensive Community Services (CCS), and the Katie Beckett Program.

The Functional Screen is only used to find your child’s functional eligibility, not their overall program eligibility. Children who are found to be functionally eligible for these programs will also need to be financially eligible for Medicaid to participate in them.

Because a functional screening tool is used, a medical diagnosis is not required to be screened. This can be helpful  for families in a lengthy wait for that diagnostic appointment for their child. A service coordinator or social worker will meet with a family and ask questions about the child. That staff person will then complete a Functional Screen. It will be reviewed, and a determination of eligibility will be made by the Department of Health Services (DHS).

Prepare for a Functional Screen Using Rosy vs. Realistic

Parents want to be positive about what their child can do or might be able to do and paint an overly “rosy picture” of their skills for friends and family. When it comes to your child’s Functional Screening day this is not a good to paint an overly rosy picture. It’s best to be as realistic as possible about your child’s daily living skills. Talk about all the things that your child has trouble doing and where you have to step in for safety. Before you meet with agency staff think about the following:

• • • Imagine that you had to leave your child with a distant relative for a month. How would you explain everything that you do to keep your child safe, healthy and cared for? Your instructions would be pretty elaborate! It is this level of detail to mention during the functional screen. Tell the screener the issues that might happen only occasionally, as well as things that happen every day.
    • On an average day, how much help or support do you provide to your child and how much time does that take? Then, consider a difficult day—What does that look like?

These questions can help you have a more realistic view of the care that you provide and will help to give a realistic view of your child to the screener.

• • • Are you up with your child during the night?
    • How much of your involvement and support is needed at mealtimes?
    • What is it like when your child does not feel well or has a bad day at school?
    • What support or help is provided by other family members and what if that help is not available?

A Few Examples of a Rosy vs. Realistic

Rosy = Ben can dress himself independently. 

Realistic = Ben can dress himself independently about one day a week, if I have the right clothes set out for him.

Rosy = Sophie can communicate her needs to me.

Realistic = Most of the time, people who are unfamiliar with Sophie do not know what she wants or cannot understand her words or signs.

Rosy = Aiden plays with his siblings after school. 

Realistic = If supervised by an adult and not having a bad day, Aiden can play with his brother and sister for about a half hour before there is a meltdown.

Can Families Review the Functional Screening Tool?

Yes, you can see the Functional Screen before you meet with agency staff on the DHS website at dhs.wisconsin.gov/functionalscreen/index.htm. You can also see the completed Functional Screen done for your child with the screener and/or request a copy.

The Appeals Process

If your child is denied for CLTS (found not eligible) and you disagree, you can take action. Contact the social worker or staff person who completed the Functional Screen to find what was missed or not thought about during the screening process. Families can also ask that another staff person complete a new Functional Screen.

If you still feel that your child is eligible, but this process isn’t getting results, consider a county grievance or state appeals process. Learn more in Fact Sheet #8 Appealing a Denial.

If your child was not found eligible for CLTS, you may also want to wait 9 to 12 months and request a new Functional Screen. Sometimes in younger children the differences between a typically developing child and a child with a disability are not as profound. As your child gets older their challenges may become clearer and he or she may then qualify for long-term supports and other services. You can request a new screen if there are any changes in your family’s living situation, or your child’s condition or behavior.

INFORMATION AND RESOURCES

Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network, 877-WiscWay (877-947-2929):  Wisconsin Wayfinder offers families one name and phone number to find services for children with special health care needs. Wayfinder connects you to a resource guide at one of the five Children’s Resource Centers in your area.