The Wisconsin Care Integration Initiative (WiCII) aimed to address systems-level barriers that hinder early identification and access to services for autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities (ASD/DD), and focused on medically underserved families. The project ran from September 2019 to August 2024.
The strategies WiCII is used to address these barriers included:
Family Navigation – Family navigation is an evidence-based approach to decreasing barriers to accessing services and supports outside the primary care clinic. Family navigators provided targeted, time-limited assistance in addressing patient-specific barriers to access. Family navigation services were offered to medically underserved families of children with/at risk for ASD/DD at over 10 participating primary care clinics.
Provider Education – In order to build community-based capacity, primary care providers and family navigators received training and ongoing assistance to increase their ability to conduct developmental screening, referral, and follow up with families.
Systems of Care – The Act Early State Team brought together about 40 stakeholders representing MCH Title V programs, WIAAP, Birth to 3, DPI, DCF, parent-led organizations, and other state and community programs. The Team worked on improving systems of care for children with ASD/DD based on goals outlined in the Act Early State Plan.