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Coordinated Service Teams Initiative

The Coordinated Services Team (CST) strives to keep children with multiple and persistent needs in their homes, schools and community through a comprehensive coordinated inter-agency system of care.

The team assesses the unique strengths and needs of the family and develops an individualized plan of support based on the assessment. All planning incorporates a strength-based approach guided by age, gender and cultural norms. The process is based on family and community values and is unconditional in its commitment to create a support system for each child.

The intent of the team process is to address the challenges of a family and to work together with the family to help them improve their quality of life and to help the child reach their full potential.

Guiding Principles

The CST approach relies on Collaboration, ensuring:

  • Voice: Parents/guardians should feel they have a voice in decisions that are made about their child and family. They are listened to and respected.

  • Access: The child and parent should have access to the services needed to meet their needs.

  • Ownership: The parents/guardians and child agrees with and is committed to plans concerning their child and family.

Additional principles of the CST Initiative include being:

  • Family Centered
  • Consumer Involvement
  • Strength-based
  • Team Approach Across Agencies and Systems
  • Ensuring Safety
  • Education and Work Focus
  • Outcome Oriented
  • Self-sufficiency
  • Building on Natural and Community Supports
  • Unconditional Care
  • Gender/Age/Culturally Responsive
  • Belief in Growth, Learning and Recovery

Who is Eligible?

Based on the pre-referral checklist, the following criteria must be met:

  • A child living in Oneida County that is 17 years of age or younger.
  • Child is involved in at least two of the following direct services:
    • Mental Health (therapy and/or medication management)
    • Special Education
    • Youth Justice System
    • Child Protective Services
    • Alcohol or other drug services (AODA)
  • Other Interventions have not been successful over time: persistent obstacles or service access; and/or there is a need for service coordination.
  • Child is at risk of out-of-home placement or transitioning back home.
  • Child has a severe emotional disability.

The Process

  1. Referral is made to Oneida County Human Services.
  2. Strengths and Needs Assessment is complete.
  3. Team members are selected.
  4. Team meetings begin.
  5. The team works together to develop a plan of care, including goals and activities based on the strengths and needs of the child determined by the assessment.
  6. A crisis plan is developed, if needed.
  7. The team meets regularly (initially every 1-2 weeks) to assist with the development and meeting of goals.
  8. Once the family has the skills and resources to be self-sufficient, the team works toward transitioning out of the formal CST process.

Who is in the Coordinated Service Team?

How to Apply

To start the referral process or learn more, please contact the CST Coordinator:

Courthouse Location
1 S. Oneida Ave.
Rhinelander, WI 54501

Phone: (715) 362-5695 

Email: [email protected]