Category: Programs and Services

CLTS Feedback needed

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.

Healthcare Providers, Programs and Services

Family Support Summit

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Lake of the Torches Conference Center

Lac du Flambeau, WI

Image of flyer

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:

  • 3:00-4:00 PM Session for Professionals with Jules Edwards
  • 5:00 PM: Dinner starts, and resources are available
  • 5:15-6:30 PM: Keynote Speaker Jules Edwards during dinner
  • 6:30-7:30 PM: Breakout Sessions
        • Self-Care for All, Sharon Ninedorf, Occupational Therapist
        • Jules Edwards 

 

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.

photo of Jules Edwards

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

 

Bayfield County, Family Leadership & Advocacy, Florence County, Forest County, Healthcare Providers, Iron County, Lincoln County, Northwoods, Oneida County, Parents, Programs and Services, Regional and Statewide Events, Vilas County

Camps (Day, Summer, Respite)- Updated January 2025

Below is a list of camps and other opportunities that we are aware of that families may want to explore for children with disabilities/ special health care needs. Children’s Resource Center- North does not endorse any of these camps and this information is provided only as a resource. When considering camps there can be many options depending on your child’s needs and interests. You can talk to camps to see if they can accommodate your child or other parents who may have already had their children participate.

Cost of camps: Camps are funded in a variety of ways and the costs can vary greatly. Childcare subsidies may assist with day camps that are taking the place of childcare. Scholarships or sliding fee scales may be available as well. You may be able to utilize CLTS funds for camp for respite and/or day camps for summer child care. Give us a call, 715-261-1906, if you need help navigating all these options or want more information.

Overnight camps for children with disabilities

  • Easter Seals Camps in Wisconsin Dells/Adams Co. Several camp options at different times of the year including transition, respite, autism, and adults. Youth and Teen Sessions are for ages 7-18 with a special 4-day holiday session taking place between Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
  • Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt east of Stevens Point. Week long camps for different types of disabilities including Blind/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Autism/Intellectual Disabilities, Epilepsy Diabetes. Wisconsin Lions Camp programs are free but have a lottery. Applications available late January.
  • Timbertop Camp: summer camp for youth with specific learning disabilities/ special needs including AD/HD, SLD, Title 1, OHI that is held at the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt. 
  • We hear from a lot of families how much they have enjoyed the Northwoods and family connections at Camp Awesum. Registration is open on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 9 am (phone and online registration)- camps fill up very quickly. In 2025, there will be three 7-day family camps and one 5-day family camp.
  • Variety Chatter Matters Camp at UW Whitewater is available to children ages 5-15 who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication and their families. Tentative date for 2025 is June 19-22 with a January signup deadline.
  • Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum– occurs yearly in the summer at Edgewood College in Madison. Become a part of the youth that lead us! This week-long forum is for high school students with disabilities who want to learn more about leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness.
  • Camp LuWiSoMo “Joyful Hearts ministry is designed for individuals with developmental disabilities, providing a quality camping experience in a safe, Christian environment.”All campers take part in typical camp activities, but each activity is modified based on the needs of the camper. Located in Wild Rose, WI (south of Stevens Point)
  • Camp Daniel is an organization dedicated to providing people with disabilities opportunities for personal, social, and spiritual growth. Camp Daniel is rooted in its summer camping program that offers people with disabilities access to safe and fun Northwoods camping experiences, where the physical, social, and spiritual needs, that each person’s disability requires, are lovingly met. In Marinette County. 
  • Numerous camps affiliated with the Paul Newman Foundation like Hole in the Wall Gang and Painted Turtle host weeks for specific disability groups across the country 
  • UW-Whitewater Wheelchair Basketball Camp for ages 8-18.
  • Camp Independence is for youth with spina bifida. Located in northwest suburbs of Chicago.
  • The American Diabetes Association offers Camp ADA/Needlepoint in Hudson, WI (on the Minnesota border). Registration opens February 12, 2025 for their August camp sessions.
  • Special Touch Ministry’s Summer Get Away has a camp-style retreat for people with intellectual or physical disabilities in Waupaca. “Functionally-appropriate programming, activities, and FUN in a Christian atmosphere.” Each location is staffed with medical professionals and other volunteer personnel. 
  • Badger Camp: have many options for campers ages 3-21 with intellectual disabilities. One or two week sessions. For older kids they have travel and primitive camp options too. Near Praire Du Chein.
  • Camp Chi is located in southern Wisconsin and has several options for week long and multi-week camps that can extend to their day camps.
  • Coed Wheelchair Basketball camp at UW-Whitewater age 8-18. www.uww.edu/ce/camps/athletic/basketball/bballwheelchair
  • Camp Independence is for youth with spina bifida.  Located in northwest suburbs of Chicago.
  • Located west of Minneapolis is Camp Avanti, an intensive occupational therapy program within a rustic camp setting for children ages 8-13 (will consider ages 14-15) who have learning disabilities and/or sensory processing dysfunction. This is a 6-day camp taking place from June 29-July 4, 2025.
  • CHAMP Camp provides a summer camp experience for children and adolescents with tracheostomies and those who require technological respiratory assistance. Located in Indiana.

Day camps and camps for all children

We have provide additional information on accommodations and adaptations based on information we received from the camp or directly from families

  • Contact your county 4-H for information on your local camp opportunities. You can hear more about how Camp Susan has accommodated campers in the past with this video: youtu.be/IK4PcchE2es
  • Fort Wilderness camp near Rhinelander is another camp that parents have said their children with disabilities/ special health care needs have enjoyed
  • Bayfield County 4-H Summer Camp is available to youth not involved in 4-H as well as members. 
  • Summer Camps offered at Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES) supports all campers’ physical, social, and mental well-being. CWES provides activities, opportunities and learning experiences for campers that meet the individual campers’ needs, capabilities, interests, and overall well-being. All hired CWES staff participates in a 1 week training session, including a day focused on Mental Health Training. This allows all staff to be prepared professionally for all camper’s overall well-being.
  • Discovery Education Station in Marshfield has day camps in the summer as well as other STEAM events. They are a provider through CLTS.
  • YMCA Camp Sturtevant in Wausau offers day camps for the entire summer as well as other opportunities. They do accept the child care subsidy and have camper scholarships.
  • YMCA of the Northwoods-located in Rhinelander, day camps for children ages 5 and up are available, in addition to child care for children from infancy through age 6. They do accept the child care subsidy, have camper scholarships available, and are listed as a CLTS provider.
  • Camp Jorn YMCA Day Camp-located in Manitowish Waters (and offers a shuttle bus from Arbor Vitae), this day camp has sessions by the week or by the day for children ages 5-14(must turn 5 by 9/1/24). Child care also offered for children 3mos to 12 years. They do accept the child care subsidy, have camper scholarships available, and are listed as a CLTS provider for respite care.
  • YMCA Camp Alexander in South Wood County offers day camps based on weekly themes. No one is turned away from YMCA Camp Alexander for an inability to pay.
  • UWSP Day camps offered at the Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Wausau campuses.
  • YMCA’s Camp Nan A Bo Sho is located in Northeastern Wisconsin near Lakeland and offers multiple overnight camps in the summer starting at age 5.
  • Rainbow’s End is an Aspirus Health day camp for children with special needs, aged 5-21. Typically holds two sessions of weeklong (Monday-Friday) camps in July. Check their website for dates to be announced. $100 with costs offset by donations.
  • Children’s Imaginarium Museum in Wausau will be hosting day camps in Summer 2025-more information to come in February 2025.

Other opportunities
• For siblings of children with disabilities, WisconSibs has opportunities in different locations and age groups in Appleton and Door County.

Leadership Opportunities
• Wisconsin Youth Leadership Forum– occurs every summer at Edgewood College in Madison. This week-long forum is for high school students with disabilities who want to learn more about leadership, self-advocacy skills, and career awareness.
• Crossways Self-Determination Camp at Pine Lake Camp in Waupaca is for those 18 and older with intellectual disabilities www.crosswayscamps.org/selfdetermination

Autism, Family Activities, Programs and Services