If you are applying for the Children’s Long-term Support (CLTS) Program or Katie Beckett Medicaid, your child will be assessed using a tool called the Functional Screen. Once your child is enrolled, your service coordinator will use the functional screen to determine if they continue to qualify for these programs. The use of this tool to measure your child’s continuing eligibility for programs makes it important to understand how your input and your advocacy is part of this process.

Get Ready for a Functional Screen by Changing Your Perspective: 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 child’s skills for friends and family. Even though it may be hard, this is a time to be as realistic as possible about your child’s skills and abilities. Talk about all the things your child has trouble doing and where you must step in for support. Before you meet with agency staff think about the following:

• • • Imagine you had to leave your child with a distant relative for a month. How would you explain everything you do to keep your child safe, healthy and cared for? Your instructions would be elaborate. It is this level of detail that the screener needs to hear from you 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 for your child and how much time does that take? Then, think about a difficult day—What does that look like?

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 request a copy of the Functional Screen after it’s completed. If your child is determined not eligible, this may be an important way to find out if something was missed or overlooked.

To find more information on the functional screening process see: familyvoiceswi.org/resource-library/3-completing-a-functional-screen.