Your SSC will contact your family to set up an initial visit. You can meet at your home or another familiar place, like your child’s school, a library or a coffee shop. However, CLTS program regulations require at least one visit a year be in the child’s home.

What Your Child’s SSC Needs from You 

• • • Share Your Dreams During your first visit, your SSC will ask how you care for your child, the areas of your life that are challenging, and the dreams you and your child have for the future.
    • Get to Know Your Child Your child’s SSC may want to see your child in setting like their school day, after-school programs or at other community activities. These visits are a good way for them to get to know your child’s abilities and challenges, as well as their likes and dislikes.
    • Deciding Together You will partner with your child’s SSC to think about long-term and short-term needs and goals for your child. Your child’s best life can be a guide when thinking about this—What would help your child enjoy activities, build relationships and learn new skills? See the Deciding Together Guide (wisconsin.gov) and Deciding Together: What It Is and What It Isn’t to better understand this collaborative process.
    • Accept Support Even if you have learned to live with the stresses of caring for your child with special needs, participating in the CLTS Program can be helpful. It’s okay to let the service coordinator know you don’t need much help right now. Together, you can brainstorm future needs. As your child grows and changes, his or her needs may expand and the CLTS Program can help, especially if you have planned ahead.

Parental Payment–Your CLTS Program Bill

Your family may be responsible for a fee or cost-share, called a Parental Payment for CLTS-funded services. This fee is based on your family’s income and the cost of your child’s Individual Service Plan (ISP). The bill will come from your county waiver agency (CWA) and will be due after your child’s ISP has been submitted and approved. Use this link to learn more about how the parental payment works www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/clts/costs.htm.

Your SSC is Your Guide on this Journey

Families new to the CLTS Program may not realize that one of its most important benefits is access to their SSC. This new partner can provide guidance to you as you navigate the CLTS Program and access other resources. Below are some examples of how your child’s SSC can partner with you and be by your side as you care for your child.

• • • School IEP Meetings Your SSC can attend your child’s IEP meeting and advocate for school-based therapy, programming or modifications to meet their goals. They can remind you to ask the important questions and be another set of ears so you’re not missing anything that is discussed by the school team.
    • Medical and Therapy Visits Your child’s SSC go to medical appointments or therapy visits if you need support, especially if you are making a decision about new equipment or a new treatment plan for your child.
    • Connecting to the Community If you need ideas for things like summer programs, after-school activities or adaptive equipment, your child’s SSC can help you find resources and programs.
    • During Times of Transition The SSC can help you explore new programs or discuss options during times of transition, like the move to elementary school or high school.
    • Connect with Other Families One of the best ways to learn what works for your child is to talk to other families who have “been there.” Ask your SSC to help find another parent or family who has gone through something similar. If your SSC can’t, contact Parent-to-Parent of Wisconsin p2pwi.org or 833.361.6300.
    • When You Need Help While the SSC don’t always have a solution, they can help you find they answers when you are stuck or struggling to get what you need for your child. 

The SSC will meet with you in person each year to review and update your child’s ISP, you don’t need to wait until then to ask for their input or help. You can reach out to them any time.