Description | Characteristics | General Eligibility | How to Apply
Services | Cost | Additional Help | Contact

Description

Services for adults and children with developmental disabilities have been developed to promote full consumer participation in the community. Service provision is intended to provide access to the same opportunities and responsibilities that other people the same age are experiencing. Needs and preferences about where to live and work are respected in the planning and provision of service.

Information on Disability Characteristics and Conditions

Information on how disability determinations are made for Wisconsin residents may be found on the State of Wisconsin's Disability Determination web site.

General Eligibility

• Age 17 or younger
• Resident of Dane County- "physical presence with intent to remain." For Intensive Autism Services there is a six-month residency requirement.
  • For children of divorced parents, the county responsible for service is the county of residence of the parent(s) having legal custody of the child. If the parents have joint custody and live in different counties, the county of residence is the county where the child has his/her primary home.
  • If a child is under Guardianship, the county responsible for service is the county of residence of the guardian or legal custodian.
  • Children who are currently institutionalized are considered residents of the county that is fiscally responsible for that child on the institutional records.
• The child has a severe physical, emotional, or mental impairment that is diagnosed medically, behaviorally, or psychologically.
• The disability is likely to continue indefinitely.
• The disability results in substantial functional limitations in three or more areas of life activity.

Birth-to-three programs have different eligibility criteria established by state statutes. Dane County will grant waivers for children who are applying for these programs and meet the eligibility criteria.

How to Apply

For "Bridges for Families" (Birth to Three program for families residing within the Madison School District) please call Imagine a Child's Capacity at (608) 204-6242 or visit www.icc-wi.org for more information.

For "Birth to Three Connections" (Birth to Three program for families residing outside the Madison School District) please contact United Cerebral Palsy of Greater Dane County at (608) 273-3232 or visit www.ucp.org/ucp_local.cfm/152 for more information.

For general information and referral about services for children with developmental disabilities and the Family Support Program, please contact The Family Support and Resource Center at (608) 237-7630 or www.fsrcdane.org.

Services

Birth to Three - This is Wisconsin's early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays and disabilities and their families. Birth to Three services include therapy and service coordination that are provided in the child's natural environment, (e.g., home, day care, etc.). Some of the services and supports that might be provided to meet the developmental outcomes identified for a child as part of the Individualized Family Services Plan include: family education, developmental education services, communication services, related health services, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. In Dane County, Birth to Three Services are operated by Imagine a Child's Capacity and United Cerebral Palsy. Please see the State of Wisconsin's Birth to Three web site for more information on this statewide program.

The Family Support Program is a statewide program that assists and supports families who have children living in the home with significant disabilities. In Dane County, the Family Support Program is operated by the Family Support and Resource Center. For more information please see the State of Wisconsin's web site on the Family Support Program.

Cost

Dane County is administratively responsible for assessing and collecting the parental ability to pay for most children's programs. For information regarding the State of Wisconsin's Parental Cost Share Fees, please visit this State web site. If you are a Dane County resident and have questions about your child's cost share, please email the DD Program Specialist or call (608) 242-6225.

Additional Help

Please see Programs Supporting Children with Developmental Disabilities and Their Families in Dane County's Communities at www.LINKdanecounty.org.

Contact

Donna Winnick, DD Program Specialist
Dane County Department of Human Services 1202
Northport DR/3rd FL
Madison, WI 53704 (608) 242-6225
winnick@co.dane.wi.us