Bayfield County Coordinated Services

Coordinated Services is a process used to improve the lives of children and families with complex needs and who are involved with multiple agencies. A team of family members, service providers, school representatives, and community members all work together to help the family and child set and achieve goals.

Bayfield County Coordinated Services helps families with children or adolescents who have multiple needs. Children involved in the CST process may have needs related to mental health, alcohol/other drug, child protection, juvenile justice, or special education.

Referrals to CST can be made by teachers, social workers, community members, or other agencies. Children referred to Bayfield County CST must be residents of Bayfield County.

Once a referral is made, the family members, referral source, CST coordinator, and potential team members will meet to decide if the CST process will be helpful to the family.

Advantages of the CST process

Team members provide consistent encouragement and support.
Families increase their ability to problem-solve.
No one person or agency is responsible for what happens. The team members share the responsibility.
Families report fewer feelings of being judged.

How Does the Process Work?

A strength-based assessment is completed with the family. "Strength-based" means focusing on those things that the family does well, while also addressing areas of concern and need.

A family team is formed. The team is made up of family members, friends, service providers, school and community representatives.

The team develops a plan of care, drawing on resources from the community.

The team helps the family work towards their goals. The ultimate goal of the team is to have the family “graduate” from the program.

Criteria for Involvement

The child is a resident of Bayfield County.
The child uses (or will use) at least two services in the following categories:
- Mental health
- Special education
- Juvenile justice
- Child protective services
- Alcohol or other drug abuse services
Other interventions have not been successful or are difficult for the family to use.
A parent or guardian wants to be part of a team.
Children at risk for out-of-home placement (or those who may be able to return home as a result of CST participation) are given priority.

Make a referral

Referrals can be made by contacting:

Bayfield County Department of Human Services: 117 E 5th St; PO Box 100; Washburn, WI 54891; Telephone (715) 373-6144
TTY (715) 373-6144; Fax (715) 373-6130; E-mail baycodhs@bayfieldcounty.org

Referral forms are available by mail, fax, or e-mail, or by downloading the forms below. Please note that you'll need an up-to-date version of Adobe's Acrobat Reader, which you may download for free here.