Wisconsin Legislature: DHS 50.02(14)(c)

DHS 50.02 Definitions.

(1) “Chemical restraint” means any drug, drug dosage, or drug regimen that may decrease a youth’s independent functioning, that is administered to control a youth’s behavior, and that is not prescribed to the youth for the treatment of a medical or psychiatric condition.

(2) “Clinical staff” means any of the following:

(a) A psychiatrist with the qualifications stated in s. DHS 34.21 (3) (b) 1.

(b) A psychologist with the qualifications stated in s. DHS 34.21 (3) (b) 2.

(d) A psychiatric resident with the qualifications stated in s. DHS 34.21 (3) (b) 4.

(e) A certified independent clinical social worker with the qualifications stated in s. DHS 34.21 (3) (b) 5.

(f) A psychiatric nurse with the qualifications stated in s. DHS 34.21 (3) (b) 6.

(g) A professional counselor and marriage and family therapist with the qualifications stated in s. DHS 34.21 (3) (b) 7.

(h) Licensed certified social workers, certified advance practice social workers and certified independent social workers shall meet the qualifications established in s. DHS 34.21 (3) (b) 13.

(i) A qualified treatment trainee, who is a master’s level clinician who has a master’s degree and coursework in areas directly related to providing mental health services, including clinical psychology, psychology, school or educational psychology, rehabilitation psychology, counseling and guidance or counseling psychology.

(3) “Crisis” has the meaning given in s. 51.042 (1) (a), Stats.

(4) “Crisis stabilization” means a stabilization service that complies with the requirements stated in s. DHS 34.22 (4) (a) to (c).

(5) “Culturally responsive” means a service, or the provision of a service, in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of, and attentiveness to, a youth’s cultural history and background and how those impact the youth’s treatment needs.

(6) “Deficiency” means a failure to meet a requirement of this chapter.

(7) “Department” means the department of health services.

(8) “Division” means the division of care and treatment services.

(9) “Facility” means the physical site where the YCSF program is located. “Facility” is limited to the space used by the program.

(10) “Family” means a youth’s relatives and others who are considered family by the youth and the youth’s culture.

(10m) “Functionally equivalent” means a service provided via telehealth where the transmission of information is of sufficient quality as to be the same level of service as an in-person visit. Transmission of voices, images, data, or video must be clear and understandable.

(11) “Group services” means services delivered in a group setting of two or more youth.

(12) “Individual services” means services delivered by staff to a youth or family.

(13) “Legal representative” means any of the following:

(a) A guardian of the person, as defined under s. 54.01 (12), Stats.

(b) A parent of a minor, as defined in s. 48.02 (13), Stats., a guardian of a minor, as defined in s. 48.02 (8), Stats., or a legal custodian of a minor, as defined in s. 48.02 (11), Stats.

(14) “Licensed treatment professional” means any of the following, who is practicing under a currently valid training or temporary license or certificate, except an individual whose license or certificate is suspended, revoked, or voluntarily surrendered, or whose license or certificate is limited or restricted, when practicing in areas prohibited by the limitation or restriction:

(a) An individual licensed as a physician under s. 448.03, Stats., who has completed a residency in psychiatry.

(b) A psychologist or a private practice school psychologist licensed under ch. 455, Stats.

(d) A professional counselor licensed under s. 457.12 or 457.13, Stats.

(e) An advanced practice social worker granted a certificate under s. 457.08 (2), Stats.

(f) An independent social worker licensed under s. 457.08 (3), Stats.

(g) A clinical social worker licensed under s. 457.08 (4), Stats.

(15) “Major deficiency” means a determination made by the department that any of the following have occurred:

(a) A YCSF has repeatedly or substantially failed to meet one or more requirements of this chapter.

(b) An action, condition, policy, or practice of the YCSF or the conduct of its staff created a risk of harm to a youth or violates a youth’s right created by this chapter or other state or federal statutes or rules, including any of the following:

1. A YCSF staff member had sexual contact, as defined in s. 940.225 (5) (b), Stats., or sexual intercourse, as defined in s. 940.225 (c), Stats., with a youth.

2. A YCSF staff member was convicted of abuse under s. 940.285, 940.29 or 940.295, Stats.

3. A YCSF staff member’s acts or omissions placed the health or safety of a youth in imminent danger.

(c) A YCSF submits or causes to be submitted one or more false statements for purposes of obtaining certification under this chapter.

(d) A YCSF engaged in fraud or willful misrepresentation within the meaning of s. DHS 108.02 (9) (d). Willful misrepresentation under this paragraph does not include the signing of a claim for reimbursement by an authorized representative of a YCSF who did not perform the service for which reimbursement is claimed, if the individual who performed the service was qualified to do so under this chapter and was on the YCSF’s staff when the services were performed.

Note: The department may withhold Medical Assistance (MA) payments, in whole or in part, as provided in s. DHS 108.02 (9) (d) 1. A provider is entitled to a hearing under s. DHS 106.12.

(e) A YCSF staff member has a substantiated finding of caregiver misconduct as identified in ch. DHS 13.

(16) “Mechanical restraint” means any physical device, used for the purpose of limiting or controlling a youth’s movement, except that the procedures in s. DHS 50.12 (4) (e) 1. to 2. are not mechanical restraints.

(17) “Parent” means any biological, foster, or adoptive parents who are legally recognized as a youth’s parent and legally responsible for the youth’s welfare.

(18) “Physical restraint” means any manual method, such as a basket hold, or a mechanical device that the individual cannot remove easily and that is intended to limit independent functioning, restrict the freedom of movement or normal range of motion of one or more limbs or the entire body, but not including any of the following:

(a) Mechanical supports used to enhance independent functioning or achieve proper body position, balance, or alignment, such as arm splints to reduce contractures or leg braces to support the legs while standing or walking.

(b) Physical guidance and prompting techniques of brief duration.

(19) “Program” means a YCSF’s treatment and services component.

(19g) “Signature” or “signed” means a signature that meets the requirements in s. 990.01 (38), Stats.

(19r)

(a) “Telehealth” means the use of telecommunications technology by a certified provider to deliver services allowable under this chapter, s. DHS 107.02 (5), and ss. 49.45 (61) and 49.46 (2) (b) 21. to 23., Stats., including assessment, diagnosis, consultation, treatment, or transfer of medically relevant data in a functionally equivalent manner as that of an in-person contact.

(b) “Telehealth” may include real-time interactive audio-only communication.

(c) “Telehealth” does not include communication between a certified provider and a recipient that consists solely of an electronic mail, text, or facsimile transmission.

(20) “Trauma-informed” means a service, or the provision of a service, in a manner that demonstrates an understanding of, and attentiveness to, a youth’s trauma history and background and how those impact the youth’s treatment needs. Trauma-informed services recognize the impact of trauma on a youth’s behavior. Trauma-informed care prioritizes addressing and minimizing the impact of trauma in a youth’s life.

(21) “Youth” means an individual under the age of 18 who is being treated at, or seeking treatment from, a YCSF.

(22) “Youth crisis stabilization facility” or “YCSF” has the meaning given in s. 51.042(1)(b), Stats.

History: EmR1922: emerg. cr., eff. 11-2-19; CR 19-077: cr. Register July 2020 No. 775, eff. 8-1-20; correction in (2) (f), (9), (12), (13) (a), (b), (15) (b) 1., (18) (a) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register July 2020 No. 775; CR 23-053: cr. (10m), (19g), (19r) Register September 2023 No. 813, eff. 10-1-23.

DHS 50.03 Certification.

(1) General. No person or entity may operate a YCSF without successfully completing a background check verified by the Office of Caregiver quality and obtaining a certification from the department. A YCSF that has a certification from the department under this section is not subject to facility regulation under ch. 48, Stats.

Note: Information about obtaining a background check is available at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/caregiver/cbcprocess.htm.

(2) Application. A YCSF may apply for a certification by submitting all of the following application materials to the department at the address given on the application:

(a) A completed application form.

Note: Application forms are available at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/regulations/mentalhealth/certification.htm.

(b) Payment for the application fee required under s. 51.04, Stats.,

Note: Fee information is available at https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/regulations/mentalhealth/certification.htm.

(e) A copy of the youth crisis stabilization facility’s policies and procedures, as specified under s. DHS 50.06.

(f) A floor plan of the YCSF, specifying dimensions, exits, and planned room usage.

(g) All inspection reports completed during the last 12 months as defined in ss. DHS 50.15 to 50.18.

(h) Proof of building insurance, risk, and liability insurance, and agency-owned vehicle insurance if transporting youth.

(i) Payment of any forfeitures, fees, or assessments related to any licenses or certifications issued by the department to the applicant, or a written statement signed by an authorized representative stating that no fees, forfeitures, assessments are owed.

(j) Any other applicable fees.

(k) Any additional information requested by the department.

(3) Compliance review. Upon receipt of all completed application materials described in (2), the applicant shall permit the department to conduct an on-site inspection of the facility and a review of any documentation necessary to determine compliance with this chapter.

(4) Certification Determination.

(a) The department shall make a certification determination within 60 days of receiving all completed application materials.

(b) If the department does not approve the YCSF’s program statement or determines that an applicant does not comply with the requirements of this chapter, the department may deny the certification. A denial of certification shall be in writing and shall contain the reason for the denial and notice of opportunity for a hearing under s. 227.42, Stats.

(5) Notification of changes. A YCSF that has received certification from the department shall notify the department of any change of administration, ownership, program name, or any other change that may affect compliance with this chapter before the effective date of the change. A certification is non-transferable. A new application will be required if the department determines there is a substantial change in the YCSF.

(6) Duration of certification.

(a) A certification is valid until suspended or terminated by the department.

(b) A certification becomes invalid upon non-payment of biennial fees.

(d) A certification may be suspended or terminated under sub. (10).

(7) Biennial report and fees.

(a) Every 24 months, by the date of renewal, the program shall submit a biennial report on the form provided by the department, and shall submit payment of certification continuation fees for the purpose of renewing certification of the program for two years.

(b) The department will send the re-certification materials to the provider, which the provider is expected to fill out and submit to the department according to instructions provided.