We are bringing back Sean Inderbitzen, an autistic therapist who works with families in the Northwestern part of the state to talk with families
Feel free to call or email us with any questions.
715-261-1906
Please register to help us plan.
DHS is starting the process to renew the CLTS Program waiver application. The waiver describes how the CLTS Program works, who is eligible, what services are available, and how families can direct their own services. Renewing the CLTS Program waiver is a chance for DHS to review and improve the program. The first step in the renewal is to gather feedback from participants, their families, and others who interact with CLTS.
Online input sessions
In September, DHS is hosting three online input sessions for current and past CLTS Program participants and families to share their experience with the CLTS program and possible program changes. We hope to hear about experiences with different services, working with providers, ways to better serve certain groups with the program, and other program issues and solutions. Their feedback will help DHS improve how the program works to better serve children and families for the next waiver cycle, which runs from 2027 through 2031.
DHS wants a broad and diverse group of attendees to share their input. We ask that you promote this opportunity to families you know and work with that are connected to the CLTS Program and encourage them to register and attend one session.
These sessions are focused on general feedback about the CLTS Program. To protect participant privacy, we ask that attendees do not discuss personal circumstances that could reveal protected health information. The Q&A section will not be recorded to protect everyone’s privacy. For specific issues or questions about the CLTS program, families should reach out to the DHS Bureau of Children’s Services (BCS) at DHSCLTSWaiverRenewal@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
Participants and families should click on the link below for the event they want to attend and fill out the registration form. Registration is required to attend.
Tuesday, September 23rd
2 – 3:15 p.m.
dhswi.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_mXphf_n1R7aG6in3k9whqw
Wednesday, September 24th
6 – 7:15 p.m.
dhswi.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_sm8umzKOQBO2NzLCnNLWrg
Thursday, September 25th
1 – 2:15 p.m.
dhswi.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_cSHVl8uyQ8OR0LeTWOannA
Sign language interpreters and captioning will be provided during the input sessions, and the presentation slides will be available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. Find more information on the renewal on the CLTS Waiver Renewal webpage.
Other ways to give input:
If a family cannot attend a session, they can also share feedback with DHS by sending an email to DHSCLTSWaiverRenewal@dhs.wisconsin.gov or filling out the online family survey, which is also available in Spanish or Hmong. The survey is open until October 17.
We hope you can help DHS promote this event and encourage your networks to attend. DHS wants to build the vision for the CLTS Program together with participants and their families.
Below is a list of parent and family support resources that we are aware of for families of children and youth with special health care needs. Children’s Resource Center-North can help you navigate these resources and others by contacting us toll free at 1-866-640-4106 or using the Contact Us form on our website www.crcnorth.org. Our website also has this information, which makes it easy to connect to the websites listed.
Connecting Families– Waisman Center connectingfamilies.waisman.wisc.edu/, working on creating parent support group opportunities for the following populations:
Parent-to-Parent of Wisconsin p2pwi.org/ direct 1:1 parent/caregiver support over the phone. Parents are matched with other parents who have children with the same diagnosis or similar experiences.
Courageous Parent Network- Courageous Parents Network is a non-profit organization that orients and empowers parents and others caring for children with serious medical conditions, by providing resources and tools that reflect the experience and perspective of other families and clinicians.
DSAW Down Syndrome Association Wisconsin www.dsaw.org/central-wisconsin www.dsaw.org/supportgroups
Epilepsy Foundation-Wisconsin www.epilepsywisconsin.org/groups has virtual and in-person groups in other parts of the state. Parent and Caregiver Connect Group takes place every third Thursday each month at 6:30 over Zoom. To join, contact Alicia Gajewsky at agajewsky@epilepsywisconsin.org
Autism Society of Greater Wisconsin autismgreaterwi.org
Other Local Autism Support Groups
Courageous Parent Network- Courageous Parents Network is a non-profit organization that orients and empowers parents and others caring for children with serious medical conditions, by providing resources and tools that reflect the experience and perspective of other families and clinicians.
Hand to Hold (NICU Families) handtohold.org/
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Children’s Wisconsin Family Resource Centers and family programing childrenswi.org/childrens-and-the-community/families-and-clients/parenting-resources/family-resource-centers
Relatives as Parents Program gwaar.org/grandparents-and-relative-caregivers Grandparents and other relatives who have taken on the role of surrogate parenting due to the absence of the parents can be served through NFCSP if the caregiver is a relative by blood, marriage, or adoption and are at least 55, primary caregiver, lives with the child, and the child is under 19 and/or has a disability
Sibshops Sibling support for children aged 5-12 who have a sibling with special health care needs. These are workshops that are usually offered one Saturday a month. In our region, Sibshops are offered at Marshfield Clinic-Marshfield www.marshfieldchildrens.org/child-life/child-life-services
UW Extension Parenting and Family Relationships parenting.extension.wisc.edu/ Triple P Programs, co-parenting groups
Wisconsin Family Connections Center offers virtual and in-person support for adoptive parents, foster parents, reunified families, kinship care, and adult adoptees
Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Lake of the Torches Conference Center
Lac du Flambeau, WI
Program: We will offer multiple sessions for families and professionals with dinner and a presentation by our keynote speaker, Jules Edwards. Activities for kids will be available
Schedule:
Keynote Speaker, Jules Edwards: Jules is an Anishinaabe writer, gardener, accountant, and disability justice advocate. She is a neurodivergent parent of neurodivergent children. Experiencing disability through multiple lenses has helped her to help others. She writes as “Autistic, Typing” on her website and social media. Her first book, I Will Die On This Hill: Autistic Adults, Autism Parents, and the Children Who Deserve a Better World, was co-written with Meghan Ashburn. Jules’ professional development includes a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellowship, Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD) National Training Director Council fellowship, and Wilder Foundation Community Equity Program (CEP) fellowship.
You can learn more about Jules from the podcasts below and on her website- autistictyping.com
59. Culturally Responsive Therapy for Native Autistic Kids with Jules Edwards
Autistic Adults and Neurotypical Parents of Autistic Children: The Need to Work Together
