46.56(1)

(1) Definitions. In this section:

46.56(3)(a)

(a) The coordinating committee shall include representatives from all of the following:

46.56(3)(b)7.

7. Representatives of agencies that are located in the county or, for an initiative established by a tribe, are serving members of the tribe.

46.56(3)(b)13.

13. Representatives of the local faith-based community.

46.56(5)(d)

(d) The identification of any group of children who will be targeted for services and resources through the initiative.

46.56(6)(a)1.

1. The service coordination agency shall be selected based on its experience in providing services and resources.

46.56(6)(d)8.

8. Facilitate public education and awareness of issues and programs for children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families.

46.56(8)

(8) Referral, intake, assessment, plan of care development, and service coordination.

46.56(8)(j)

(j) The proposed coordinated services plan of care shall be submitted to any service providers who are included in the proposed plan of care.

46.56(14)(c)6.

6. Parent and child satisfaction with the initiative.

46.56(15)(b)3.

3. Submit a plan to the department for implementation of the initiative in accordance with the requirements of this section.

46.56(15)(b)5.

5. Agree to comply with this section.

46.56(8)(i)

(i) If additional evaluations are needed, the coordinated services team shall arrange for them or assist the child’s family in obtaining them.

46.56(1)(a)

(a) “Administering agency” means a department designated by a county board of supervisors or by a tribe to administer an initiative.

46.56(1)(ar)

(ar) “Advocacy” means all of the following:

46.56(1)(b)

(b) “Agency” means a public, tribal, or private organization that provides services and other resources for children and families.

46.56(1)(bm)

(bm) “Child” means an individual under the age of 18.

46.56(3)(a)8.

8. The agency responsible for economic support programs.

46.56(3)(b)

(b) The coordinating committee may include any of the following:

46.56(3)(b)8.

8. Local elected officials.

46.56(3)(b)9.

9. Representatives of a vocational and technical school.

46.56(3)(b)10.

10. Local business representatives.

46.56(3)(b)11.

11. Representatives of the county board or, for an initiative established by a tribe, representatives of the elected governing body of the tribe.

46.56(5)(c)

(c) The designation of service coordination agencies.

46.56(7)(c)

(c) Not exclude a child or his or her family from services or other resources because of lack of ability to pay.

46.56(3)(b)14.

14. Representatives of probation and parole agencies.

46.56(3)(b)16.

16. Representatives of vocational rehabilitation programs.

46.56(3)(d)

(d) The coordinating committee shall:

46.56(3)(d)3.

3. Oversee the development and implementation of the initiative.

46.56

46.56 Initiatives to provide coordinated services for children and families.

46.56(1)(ar)1.

1. Actively supporting a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care and his or her family under an initiative to enable their receipt of the full benefits of the initiative by ensuring that the coordinated services team approach to providing services and principles are followed.

46.56(1)(ar)2.

2. Helping families of a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care gain access to and a voice in the decision making that establishes the child’s and family’s plan of care.

46.56(1)(de)

(de) “Family” means a child’s primary caregiver or caregivers and the child’s siblings.

46.56(5)(e)

(e) The procedures for outreach, referral, intake, assessment, case planning, and service coordination that the initiative will use.

46.56(5)(j)

(j) The mission and core values of the initiative.

46.56(1)(ar)3.

3. Fostering strong working relationships among families, systems of care, and providers, with the goal of improving the lives of children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families.

46.56(1)(ce)

(ce) “Coordinated services” means treatment, education, care, services, and other resources provided, in a coordinated manner, for a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care and his or her family.

46.56(1)(cm)

(cm) “Coordinated services plan of care” means a plan under sub. (h) for a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care and his or her family.

46.56(1)(cs)

(cs) “Coordinated services team” means a group of individuals, including family members, service providers, and informal resource persons, who work together to respond to service needs of a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care and his or her family.

46.56(1)(d)

(d) “County department” means a county department under § 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437, unless the context requires otherwise.

46.56(1)(dm)

(dm) “Family resources” means housing, environment, institutions, sources of income, services, education, a child’s extended family and community relationships, and other resources families need to raise their children.

46.56(1)(ds)

(ds) “Initiative” means a system that is based on the strengths of children and their families for providing coordinated services to children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families.

46.56(1)(e)

(e) “Intake” means the process by which a service coordination agency or individuals designated by the coordinating committee under sub. (3) initially screen a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care and his or her family to determine eligibility for an initiative and the process by which the service coordination agency determines the need for a comprehensive clinical mental health assessment.

46.56(1)(h)

(h) “Interagency agreement” means a written document of understanding among service providers and other partner agencies that are represented on a coordinating committee under sub. (3) that identifies mutual responsibilities for implementing coordinated services for children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families.

46.56(3)(b)3.

3. Physicians specializing in care for children.

46.56(1)(j)

(j) “Parent” means a parent who has legal custody, as defined in § 767.001 (2), of a child, or a guardian or legal custodian of a child, as defined in § 48.02 (8) and (11).

46.56(1)(L)

(L) “Service coordination” means the coordination of multiple service providers and family resources that are serving a particular child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care and his or her family. The term includes coordination of the assessment process, development of a coordinated services plan of care based on the strengths and needs identified in the assessment, advocacy, monitoring of the progress of the child or his or her family, facilitation of periodic reviews of the coordinated services plan of care, and coordination and maintenance of clear lines of communication among all family resources providers, the child, and his or her family.

46.56(1)(m)

(m) “Service coordination agency” means a county department, tribe, agency, school district, cooperative educational service agency, or county children with disabilities education board designated in an interagency agreement by a coordinating committee under sub. (3) to provide intake and service coordination for one or more target groups of children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families.

46.56(1)(n)

(n) “Service coordinator” means an individual who is qualified by specialized training and experience with children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families and who is appointed by the service coordination agency to provide service coordination for eligible children and their families.

46.56(1)(nm)

(nm) “Service provider” means a professional from a system of care who meets one or more of the following criteria:

46.56(1)(nm)1.

1. Is skilled in providing treatment services, education, and other family resources for children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families.

46.56(1)(nm)2.

2. Conducts comprehensive evaluations of the needs of children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families for family resources.

46.56(1)(nm)3.

3. Possesses skills appropriate for and knowledge of the specific types of needs or dysfunctions presented by a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care and is undergoing an assessment.

46.56(1)(nm)4.

4. Is currently providing treatment, education, or other family resources for a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care, a family of such a child, or both.

46.56(1)(om)

(om) “Severe disability” means a mental, physical, sensory, behavioral, emotional, or developmental disability, including severe emotional disturbance, or a combination of these disabilities, that meets all of the following conditions:

46.56(1)(om)1.

1. Is severe in degree.

46.56(1)(om)2.

2. Has persisted for at least one year or is expected to persist for at least one year.

46.56(1)(om)4.

4. Causes a child to need services or other resources from 2 or more systems of care.

46.56(1)(q)

(q) “Tribe” means a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.

46.56(3)

(3) Coordinating committee.

46.56(1)(om)3.

3. Causes substantial limitations in a child’s ability to function in his or her family, school, or community and with his or her ability to cope with the ordinary demands of life.

46.56(1)(op)

(op) “Severely emotionally disturbed child” has the meaning given in § 49.45 (25)(a).

46.56(1)(or)

(or) “System of care” means a public or private organization that provides specialized services for children with mental, physical, sensory, behavioral, emotional, or developmental disabilities or that provides child welfare, juvenile justice, educational, economic support, alcohol or other drug abuse, or health care services for children.

46.56(1)(p)

(p) “Treatment services” means the individualized social, emotional, behavioral and medical services designed to bring about habilitation, rehabilitation and appropriate developmental growth of a child.

46.56(2)

(2) Coordinating committee; administering agency; initiative funding. If a county board of supervisors establishes an initiative under § 59.53 (7) or if a tribe establishes an initiative, the county board or tribe shall appoint a coordinating committee and designate an administering agency. The initiative may be funded by the county or tribe or the county board of supervisors or tribe may apply for funding by the state in accordance with sub. (15).

46.56(3)(a)1.

1. The county department responsible for child welfare and protection services or, for an initiative established by a tribe, the tribal agency responsible for child welfare and protection services.

46.56(3)(a)2.

2. The county department responsible for mental health and alcohol and drug abuse services for children and families or, for an initiative established by a tribe, the tribal agency responsible for these services.

46.56(3)(a)3.

3. The county department responsible for providing services for children who have developmental disability or, for an initiative established by a tribe, the tribal agency responsible for providing these services.

46.56(3)(a)4.

4. The family support program under § 46.985 if the county or tribe has a family support program.

46.56(3)(a)5.

5. The juvenile court administrator or another representative appointed by the judge responsible for cases heard under chs. 48 and 938 or, for an initiative established by a tribe, a representative of the tribal court.

46.56(3)(a)6.

6. The largest school district in the county and any cooperative educational service agency, if it provides special education in the county, or any county children with disabilities education board in the county, and any other school district in the county that is willing to participate in the initiative, at the discretion of the administering agency. For an initiative established by a tribe, the coordinating committee shall include a representative of the school district serving the majority of pupils who reside on the reservation of the tribe or on trust lands held for the tribe and any cooperative educational service agency providing special education services to these pupils.

46.56(3)(b)12.

12. Representatives of the regional offices of the department.

46.56(6)

(6) Roles of service coordination agency, service coordinator, initiative coordinator, and coordinated services team.

46.56(3)(a)7.

7. At least 2 parents, or the number that equals 25% of the coordinating committee’s membership, whichever is greater, of children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care.

46.56(3)(b)1.

1. Representatives of the vocational rehabilitation office that provides services to the county or, for an initiative established by a tribe, that provides services to the tribe.

46.56(3)(b)2.

2. Representatives of a technical college district that is located in the county or, for an initiative established by a tribe, that serves members of the tribe.

46.56(3)(b)4.

4. Representatives of health maintenance organizations that are operating in the county or, for an initiative established by a tribe, are serving members of the tribe.

46.56(3)(b)5.

5. Representatives of law enforcement agencies that are located in the county or, for an initiative established by a tribe, are representatives of a tribal law enforcement agency.

46.56(3)(b)6.

6. Representatives of the county health department established under § 251.02 (1) or city-county health department established under § 251.02 (1m).

46.56(3)(b)15.

15. Representatives of economic support agencies and the Wisconsin Works agency under subch. III of ch. 49, if a different agency.

46.56(3)(c)

(c) An existing committee within the county may serve as the coordinating committee if it has the membership required under para. (a) and agrees to undertake the responsibilities in para. (d).

46.56(3)(d)4.

4. Prepare one or more interagency agreements in accordance with sub. (5) that all participatory organizations in the initiative agree to follow in creating and operating an initiative.

46.56(3)(d)5.

5. Assess how the initiative relates to other service coordination programs operating at the county, tribal, or local level and take steps to work with the other service coordination programs and to avoid duplication of activities, services, and resources.

46.56(3)(d)6.

6. If a county or tribe applies for funding under sub. (15), assist the administering agency in developing the application required under sub. (b).

46.56(6)(a)2.

2. The service coordination agency shall do all of the following:

46.56(6)(d)2.

2. Work with the coordinating committee to maintain and support agency participation as established in the interagency agreement.

46.56(3)(d)7.

7. Review determinations by the service coordination agency regarding eligibility for assessment, appropriate family resources, or funding of services, at the request of any applicant, recipient, parent of a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care, or participating county department or tribal agency, school district, cooperative educational service agency, or county children with disabilities education board. The coordinating committee shall adopt written procedures for conducting reviews.

46.56(3)(d)8.

8. Establish operational policies and procedures, such as referral and screening procedures, a conflict management policy, and a flexible funding policy, and ensure that the policies and procedures are monitored and adhered to.

46.56(3)(d)9.

9. Ensure quality, including adherence to core values as adopted by the state advisory committee established under sub. (a).

46.56(3)(d)10.

10. Develop a plan for orientation of new coordinating committee members and coordinated services team members to the coordinated services team approach to providing services to a child and his or her family.

46.56(3)(d)11.

11. Identify and address gaps in services for children and families who are enrolled in the initiative.

46.56(3)(d)12.

12. Ensure client and partner agency satisfaction through performance of a client and partner agency satisfaction survey.

46.56(3)(d)13.

13. Plan for sustainability of the system change started by the initiative beginning in the first year of any funding received for the initiative and thereafter by acting as a consortium to pursue additional funding for the initiative through grants from the state or federal government or private foundations; maintaining formal collaborative agency relationships; including families in the process by emphasizing rights and advocacy; addressing funding and issues related to providing matching funds required under sub. (c); and recommending a plan for realized savings from substitute care budgets to be reinvested in community-based care.

46.56(3)(d)14.

14. Establish target groups of children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families to be served by the initiative. For a county or tribe that applies for funding under sub. (15), severely emotionally disturbed children are required to be a priority target group.

46.56(3)(d)15.

15. Distribute information about the availability and operation of the initiative to the general public and to public or private service providers who might seek to make referrals to the initiative.

46.56(3)(e)

(e) The coordinating committee may direct the initiative coordinator or another person to do any of the following:

46.56(3)(e)1.

1. Maintain data of enrollments in the initiative and results of screening.

46.56(3)(e)2.

2. Establish and report monitoring and evaluation results.

46.56(3)(e)4.

4. Assist in developing and maintaining additional funding sources, including collaborative efforts with system partners.

46.56(3)(e)5.

5. Assist in the development and implementation of advocacy for families.

46.56(4)(a)

(a) Assist the coordinating committee in overseeing the development and implementation of the initiative and designate the staff needed for the initiative.

46.56(5)

(5) Interagency agreement. An interagency agreement shall include all of the following:

46.56(3)(e)3.

3. Monitor, or ensure proper monitoring by the appropriate entity of, targeted case management and in-home services provided under the Medical Assistance Program, under subch. IV of ch. 49, including record-keeping and billing processes.

46.56(4)

(4) Role of administering agency. The administering agency designated under sub. (2) shall do all of the following:

46.56(4)(b)

(b) Assist the coordinating committee in drafting and executing interagency agreements and any other policies and procedures necessary for the start-up and operation of the initiative.

46.56(4)(c)

(c) Assist the coordinating committee in distributing information about the availability and operation of the initiative to the general public and to public or private service providers who might seek to make referrals to the initiative.

46.56(4)(d)

(d) If the county board of supervisors or tribe decides to seek state funding under sub. (15), develop the application in cooperation with the coordinating committee.

46.56(4)(e)

(e) Undertake such other activities in compliance with other statutes, rules, department guidelines, interagency agreements, and the directions of the coordinating committee as are necessary to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the initiative.

46.56(5)(a)

(a) The identity of every county department, tribal agency, agency, school district, cooperative educational service agency, county children with disabilities education board, technical college district, or other organization that will participate in the initiative.

46.56(5)(b)

(b) The identification of services and resources that the participating organizations will commit to the initiative or will seek to obtain, including joint funding of services and resources and funding for the qualified staff needed to support the initiative, such as by cash or contribution of in-kind services and resources as determined by the department under sub. (c). This identification shall specify the roles and responsibilities of the coordinated services team and the coordinating committee.

46.56(5)(f)

(f) The specific criteria, based on sub. (7), that will be used for deciding whether a child and his or her family are eligible for services and resources through the initiative.

46.56(5)(g)

(g) The procedures to be followed to obtain any required authorizations for sharing of confidential information among organizations providing treatment, services, education, and other resources to a child and his or her family.

46.56(5)(h)

(h) The procedures that will be used for managing conflicts among service providers or coordinated services team members or between a child or his or her family and service providers.

46.56(6)(d)3.

3. Work with the coordinating committee and service coordination agency to receive and review referrals.

46.56(6)(d)11.

11. Ensure that local and state agencies submit data and reports in an accurate and timely manner.

46.56(7)(a)

(a) Be based on a community assessment that identifies areas of greatest need for coordinated services.

46.56(5)(i)

(i) The methods that will be used to measure initiative effectiveness, including satisfaction of a child and his or her family, and for revising the operation of the initiative in light of evaluation results.

46.56(5)(k)

(k) Expectations for organizations represented on the coordinating committee under sub. (3), including provision of the funding match required under sub. (c).

46.56(6)(a)

(a) One or more service coordination agencies may participate under the initiative. The organizations and the target groups that are to be served shall be identified in the interagency agreement under sub. (5). All of the following applies to a service coordination agency:

46.56(6)(a)2.a.

a. Identify a specific individual to act as service coordinator for each child who is enrolled in the initiative and his or her family to facilitate the implementation of the coordinated services plan of care.

46.56(6)(a)2.b.

b. Provide or arrange for intake, assessment, development of the plan of care, and service coordination under sub. (8).

46.56(6)(a)2.c.

c. Act as a source for information about other services and resources for children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care and their families who are not eligible for the initiative, if the coordinating committee determines that the service coordination agency can provide the information without interfering with the primary purpose of the initiative.

46.56(6)(b)

(b) The service coordinator shall have the functions specified in sub. (f) to (h), (n), and (r).

46.56(6)(c)

(c) The coordinated services team has the functions specified under sub. (f), (h), and (i).

46.56(8)(h)1.

1. The child’s present level of functioning expressed in objective terms that will permit ongoing evaluation of the child’s progress.

46.56(8)(h)2.

2. The short-term and long-term goals to address the needs of the child and his or her family.

46.56(8)(h)8.

8. Plans for responding to possible crisis situations that may occur with the child and his or her family.

46.56(6)(cr)

(cr) Every county and tribe that operates any initiative shall develop written policies and procedures specifying the selection process for the initiative coordinator.

46.56(6)(d)

(d) The primary responsibility of the initiative coordinator is to promote collaborative relationships between systems of care. The initiative coordinator shall do all of the following:

46.56(6)(d)1.

1. Bring together parents and relevant staff from various agencies and organizations to comprise the coordinating committee under sub. (a) and (b), and support their activities, in order to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures specified in sub. (d).

46.56(6)(d)4.

4. Work with the coordinating committee and service coordination agency to assure provision of service coordination services for all groups of people working with the child and his or her family.

46.56(6)(d)5.

5. Guide the development of the coordinated service team working with the child and his or her family in order to ensure compliance with basic principles of the initiative core values.

46.56(6)(d)6.

6. Review plans of care, including crisis response plans, for consistency with the coordinated services team approach to providing services to a child and his or her family and core values.

46.56(6)(d)7.

7. Assist the coordinating committee and coordinated services teams in establishing consistent measures for the development, implementation, evaluation, and monitoring of the initiative and its outcomes.

46.56(6)(d)9.

9. Ensure provision of ongoing support and training that is related to the coordinated services team process for families, service coordinators, and providers and ensure orientation for coordinated services team members.

46.56(6)(d)10.

10. Support service providers in developing strategies to enhance existing programs, to increase resources, and to establish new resources relevant to project goals and objectives.

46.56(6)(d)12.

12. If directed to do so by the coordinating committee, perform any of the duties set forth in sub. (e).

46.56(7)

(7) Eligibility of children and families. Children who are involved in 2 of more systems of care and their families shall be eligible for the initiative, except that the coordinating committee may establish specific additional criteria for eligibility for services and may establish certain target groups of children who are involved in 2 or more systems of care to receive services. If target groups are established, only children falling within the target groups may be enrolled in the initiative. Any eligibility criteria shall meet all of the following conditions:

46.56(7)(b)

(b) Give priority to children who are at risk of placement outside the home or who are in an institution and are not receiving coordinated services based in the community and other resources, or who would be able to return to community placement or their homes from an institutional placement if the services and other resources were provided.

46.56(8)(a)

(a) Referrals to the initiative may come from county departments, tribal agencies, agencies, school districts, cooperative educational service agencies, county children with disabilities education boards, technical college districts, courts assigned to exercise jurisdiction under chs. 48 and 938, tribal courts, or any other organization, or a child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care or his or her family may contact the administering agency or service coordination agency to request services and resources.

46.56(8)(b)

(b) Upon referral, staff from the service coordination agency or individuals designated by the coordinating committee shall screen the referral to determine if the child and his or her family appear to meet the eligibility criteria and any target group requirements established by the coordinating committee. If the child and his or her family appear to be eligible, the staff shall assist the entity that made the referral under para. (a), and the parent or parents, in gathering information necessary to prepare an application for the initiative.

46.56(8)(c)

(c) Consent for release of information relating to a child shall be obtained from the child’s parent, or the child, if appropriate or required by federal statute or regulation or state statute or rule, or by order of a court with appropriate jurisdiction.

46.56(8)(cm)

(cm) Consent for participation of a child and his or her family in the initiative and in the initiative evaluation shall be obtained from the child’s parent or, if appropriate, the child.

46.56(8)(d)

(d) The service coordination agency or individuals designated by the coordinating committee shall review the completed application with the family, and, in light of the eligibility criteria in the interagency agreement and sub. (7), determine whether the child and his or her family are eligible for and appropriate for enrollment in the initiative. The service coordination agency or the individuals designated by the coordinating committee shall approve or disapprove each application within 30 days after the date on which the application was completed.

46.56(8)(e)

(e) If the child who is involved in 2 or more systems of care and his or her family are found to be ineligible, or if it is determined that enrollment in the initiative is not the best method of meeting the needs of the child and his or her family, staff from the service coordination agency or individuals designated by the coordinating committee shall assist the child and family in identifying and accessing needed services or resources from appropriate providers.

46.56(8)(f)

(f) If the child and his or her family are found to be eligible for and are enrolled in the initiative, the agency shall assign a service coordinator who shall assemble a coordinated services team to assess the strengths and needs of the child and his or her family’s need for treatment, education, care, and support. The service coordinator shall coordinate the operations of the coordinated services team.

46.56(8)(g)

(g) The service coordinator shall assemble the results of all prior relevant assessments and evaluations documenting the strengths and needs of a child enrolled in the initiative and his or her family, including educational, medical, vocational, and psychosocial evaluations.

46.56(8)(h)

(h) The coordinated services team, the family of the child enrolled in the initiative, and the service coordinator shall, based on a review of a summary of existing assessments of strengths and needs that have been assembled and any additional evaluations and plans that the team, the coordinator, or the family finds to be necessary, prepare a strength-based, gender-competent and culturally competent, family-centered, coordinated services plan of care within 60 days after the date on which the application was approved. The coordinated services plan of care shall include all of the following:

46.56(8)(h)3.

3. The services and resources needed by the child and his or her family, including the identity of each in