Chapter 46

46.23(6)(c)2. 2. Changes in the organization and management of the program.

46.23(6)(c)3. 3. Changes in program services.

46.23(6)(e) (e) A county human services director under this subsection shall comply with state requirements.

46.23(6m) (6m) County human services director in certain counties with a county executive or county administrator. In any county with a county executive or county administrator in which the county board of supervisors has established a single-county department of human services, the county executive or county administrator shall appoint a county human services director on the basis of recognized and demonstrated interest in and knowledge of human services problems, with due regard to training, experience, executive and administrative ability and general qualification and fitness for the performance of the duties of the director. The appointment is subject to confirmation by the county board of supervisors unless the county board of supervisors, by ordinance, elects to waive confirmation or unless the appointment is made under a civil service system competitive examination procedure established under s. 59.52 (8) or ch. 63. The county human services director, subject only to the supervision of the county executive or county administrator, shall:

46.23(6m)(a) (a) Supervise and administer any program for which supervision and administration is authorized under this section.

46.23(6m)(b) (b) Determine administrative and program procedures and administrative policies.

46.23(6m)(c) (c) Determine, subject to the approval of the county board of supervisors and with the advice of the county human services board under sub. (5m), whether services are to be provided directly by the county department of human services or contracted for with other providers and make such contracts. The county board of supervisors may elect to require the approval of any such contract by the county board of supervisors.

46.23(6m)(e) (e) Assist the county human services board under sub. (5m) (c) in the preparation of the budgets required under sub. (5m) (c).

46.23(6m)(f) (f) Make recommendations to the county executive or county administrator regarding modifications to the proposed budget prepared by the county human services board under sub. (5m) (c).

46.23(6m)(g) (g) Evaluate service delivery.

46.23(6m)(j) (j) Perform other functions necessary to manage, operate, maintain and improve programs.

46.23(6m)(k) (k) Comply with state requirements.

46.23(6m)(L) (L) Represent human service agencies, professionals and consumers of services in negotiations with the state and federal governments.

46.23(6m)(m) (m) Determine the number and location of outstations when appropriate to meet service demands.

46.23 History History: 1975 c. 39, 224; 1977 c. 29; 1981 c. 20, 93, 291; 1981 c. 329 s. 31; 1983 a. 27 ss. 962, 2202 (20); 1985 a. 29 ss. 844m to 860, 3200 (56) (a); 1985 a. 120, 176, 332; 1987 a. 186; 1987 a. 403 s. 256; 1989 a. 56, 359; 1991 a. 274; 1993 a. 16, 27, 83, 445, 491; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2112 to 2127, 9126 (19), 9130 (4); 1995 a. 64, 201, 352, 417; 1997 a. 3, 164, 268, 283; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 264, 388, 406; 2007 a. 20 ss. 878 to 891, 9121 (6) (a); 2007 a. 45, 96; 2009 a. 28, 180; 2011 a. 32; 2015 a. 55; 2017 a. 150; 2017 a. 207 s. 5; 2019 a. 8, 9.

46.23 Annotation There is no unconditional guarantee of continued employment under sub. (3) (d); employment is continued during a reorganization unless civil service rules provide otherwise. Dane County v. McCartney, 166 Wis. 2d 956, 480 N.W.2d 830 (Ct. App. 1992).

46.23 Annotation Boards and directors may view client information without written and informed consent for any purpose related to their powers and duties. 69 Atty. Gen. 273.

46.23 Annotation Officers, employees, and directors of public or private entities that furnish “human services” to a county may not be appointed to the board under sub. (4) (a); this provision does not extend to family members of “human services” providers. 80 Atty. Gen. 30.

46.23 Annotation Because there is no explicit statutory authority for county human services departments to accept gifts, the statutory scheme contemplates that gifts, grants, and donations to a county human services department created under this section may be accepted only by the county board of supervisors. OAG 1-08.

46.234 46.234 Recovery residences; registration.

46.234(1) (1) Definition. In this section, “recovery residence” means a home-like, residential environment that promotes healthy recovery from a substance use disorder and supports persons recovering from a substance use disorder through the use of peer recovery support.

46.234(2) (2) Registration. The department shall establish and maintain a registry of approved recovery residences. Subject to sub. (3), the department shall approve a recovery residence for inclusion in the registry if the recovery residence requests registration from the department and agrees to do or does all of the following:

46.234(2)(a) (a) Operate with integrity, uphold residents’ rights, create a culture of empowerment where residents engage in governance and leadership, and develop abilities to apply the social model form of recovery that focuses on learning from the experiences of peers who are also in recovery.

46.234(2)(b) (b) Provide a home-like, safe, and healthy environment.

46.234(2)(c) (c) Facilitate active recovery and recovery community engagement, model positive social behaviors and relationship enhancement skills, and cultivate residents’ senses of belonging and responsibility toward community.

46.234(2)(d) (d) Maintain an environment in the residence free from alcohol and illicit drugs.

46.234(2)(e) (e) Have courtesy rules for residents and be responsive to concerns of neighbors to the residence.

46.234(2)(f) (f) Display in the residence the code of ethics, grievance procedure, and grievance contact information.

46.234(3) (3) Acceptance of medication-assisted treatment. Beginning on April 1, 2022, the department may not include a recovery residence in the registry if the recovery residence excludes any resident solely on the basis that the resident is participating in medication-assisted treatment.

46.234(4) (4) Registration required for referrals or funding. A recovery residence is not required to register with the department unless the recovery residence seeks referrals under sub. (5) or state or federal funds passing through the state treasury.

46.234(5) (5) Referrals. Upon request for referrals to recovery residences, the department shall provide a list of recovery residences that are included on the registry under sub. (2). The department may limit the list of registered recovery residences provided under this subsection based on the geographical and other preferences specified by the person requesting referrals.

46.234(6) (6) Use of registered designation. A recovery residence may not use the designation of or hold itself out as “registered” or “state approved” unless the recovery residence is included in the registry under sub. (2).

46.234(7) (7) Information required. The recovery residence shall provide at the time of its request for registration for the purpose of inclusion on the registry all of the following information:

46.234(7)(a) (a) The name of any organization that has certified the recovery residence.

46.234(7)(b) (b) The name of any organization under which the recovery residence operates.

46.234(7)(c) (c) The address of the recovery residence.

46.234(7)(d) (d) The number of residents allowed to reside at the recovery residence.

46.234(8) (8) Revocation of registration. The department shall revoke the registration of a recovery residence if the recovery residence ceases to meet the criteria under sub. (2).

46.234 History History: 2019 a. 120.

46.238 46.238 Infants and unborn children whose mothers abuse controlled substances, controlled substance analogs, or alcohol. If an agency, as defined in s. 48.981 (1) (ag), receives a report under s. 146.0255 (2) or 146.0257 (2) and that agency is a county department under s. 46.22 or 46.23 or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with that county department, the agency shall offer to provide appropriate services and treatment to the infant and the infant’s mother or to the unborn child, as defined in s. 48.02 (19), and the expectant mother of the unborn child or the agency shall make arrangements for the provision of appropriate services and treatment. If an agency receives a report under s. 146.0255 (2) or 146.0257 (2) and that agency is the department or a licensed child welfare agency under contract with the department, the agency shall refer the report to the county department under s. 51.42 or 51.437 and that county department shall offer to provide, or make arrangements for the provision of, those services and that treatment.

46.238 History History: 1989 a. 122; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 386, 448; 1997 a. 27, 292; 2009 a. 79; 2013 a. 260.

46.245 46.245 Information for certain pregnant women. Upon request, a county department under s. 46.215, 46.22 or 46.23 shall distribute the materials described under s. 253.10 (3) (d), as prepared and distributed by the department. A physician who intends to perform or induce an abortion or another qualified physician, as defined in s. 253.10 (2) (g), who reasonably believes that he or she might have a patient for whom the information under s. 253.10 (3) (d) is required to be given, shall request a reasonably adequate number of the materials from the county department under this section or from the department under s. 253.10 (3) (d). An individual may request a reasonably adequate number of the materials.

46.245 History History: 1985 a. 56, 176; 1993 a. 27; 1995 a. 309; 1997 a. 27.

46.248 46.248 Reach Out and Read Wisconsin grants. From the appropriation under s. 20.435 (1) (dx), the department shall distribute moneys to Reach Out and Read, Inc., for the early literacy program known as Reach Out and Read Wisconsin.

46.248 History History: 2021 a. 58.

46.269 46.269 Determining financial eligibility for long-term care programs. To the extent approved by the federal government, the department or its designee shall exclude any assets accumulated in a person’s independence account, as defined in s. 49.472 (1) (c), and any income or assets from retirement benefits earned or accumulated from income or employer contributions while employed and receiving medical assistance under s. 49.472 in determining financial eligibility and cost-sharing requirements, if any, for a long-term care program under s. 46.275 or 46.277, for the family care program that provides the benefit defined in s. 46.2805 (4), for the Family Care Partnership program, or for the self-directed services option, as defined in s. 46.2897 (1).

46.269 History History: 2017 a. 59; 2019 a. 9.

46.271 46.271 Long-term support pilot projects.

46.271(1) (1) 

46.271(1)(a) (a) From the appropriation under s. 20.435 (4) (bd), the department shall award $100,000 in each fiscal year to applying county departments under s. 46.215, 46.22, 46.23, 51.42 or 51.437 or to an aging unit under the conditions specified in par. (c) to establish pilot projects for home and community-based long-term support services. Funds awarded to the pilot projects shall be used to do any of the following:

46.271(1)(a)1. 1. Provide administration for projects that serve individuals who are discharged from hospitals and meet one of the eligibility requirements under [s. 46.27 (6r) (b) 1. to 4.].

46.271 Note NOTE: The cross-reference in brackets does not exist. 2019 Wis. Act 9 repealed s. 46.27.

46.271(1)(a)2. 2. Promote the development of a system of home and community-based long-term support services that is easily accessible to individuals who are eligible for and potentially need these services.

46.271(1)(b) (b) The department shall do all of the following:

46.271(1)(b)1. 1. Solicit applications from county departments or aging units for the pilot projects under par. (a).

46.271(1)(b)2. 2. Require that an applying county department or aging unit under subd. 1. submit as part of the application specific plans for improving the coordination between hospitals and providers of home and community-based long-term support services.

46.271(1)(c) (c) The department may contract with an aging unit, as defined in s. 46.82 (1) (a), for administration of services under par. (a) if, by resolution, the county board of supervisors of that county so requests the department.

46.271 History History: 1989 a. 31, 336; 1991 a. 39, 235; 1993 a. 16; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2015 a. 55; 2019 a. 9.

46.272 46.272 Children’s community options program.

46.272(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

46.272(1)(a) (a) “Child” means a person under 22 years of age who is not eligible to receive services in or on a waiting list for an adult long-term care program.

46.272(1)(b) (b) “Disability” means a severe physical, developmental, or emotional impairment which is diagnosed medically, behaviorally, or psychologically, which is characterized by the need for individually planned and coordinated care, treatment, vocational rehabilitation, or other services and which has resulted or is likely to result in substantial limitation on the ability to function in at least 2 of the following areas, equivalent to nursing home, hospital, or institution for mental disease level of care:

46.272(1)(b)1. 1. Self-care.

46.272(1)(b)2. 2. Receptive and expressive language.

46.272(1)(b)3. 3. Learning.

46.272(1)(b)4. 4. Mobility.

46.272(1)(b)5. 5. Self-direction.

46.272(1)(c) (c) “Hospital” has the meaning provided in s. 50.33 (2).

46.272(1)(d) (d) “Institutional setting” means a nursing home, as defined in s. 50.01 (3), a state-operated long-term care facility, or any other residential facility that provides long-term care to children outside of a home.

46.272(1)(e) (e) “Residence” means the voluntary concurrence of physical presence with intent to remain in a place of fixed habitation. Physical presence shall be prima facie evidence of intent to remain.

46.272(1)(f) (f) “State-operated long-term care facility” means a state center for the developmentally disabled and a Wisconsin veterans home operated by the department of veterans affairs under s. 45.50.

46.272(1)(g) (g) “Voluntary” means according to an individual’s free choice, if competent, or by choice of his or her parent or guardian, if the individual is adjudicated incompetent or is a minor.

46.272(2) (2) Departmental duties. The department shall do all of the following to establish a children’s community options program:

46.272(2)(a) (a) Review and approve or disapprove the selection of a county department to administer the children’s community options program.

46.272(2)(b) (b) In consultation with representatives of counties; programs that provide community-based services to children or families, other publicly funded programs, and the social services, mental health, and developmental disabilities programs under ss. 46.495, 51.42, and 51.437; the independent living center program under s. 46.96; and the Medical Assistance program under subch. IV of ch. 49; and with recipients of children’s community support services, develop guidelines for implementing the program and criteria for reviewing community options plans from counties participating in the program under this section. The guidelines and criteria shall address cost-effectiveness, scope, feasibility and impact on the quality and appropriateness of health services and social services and shall provide counties with maximum flexibility to develop programs that address local needs.

46.272(2)(c) (c) Review and approve or disapprove the community options plan of each county participating in the children’s community options program.

46.272(2)(d) (d) Require that a county, by use of a form provided by the department or other appropriate procedure, ensure that persons receiving services under this section meet the eligibility requirements for the children’s community options program.

46.272(2)(e) (e) Periodically monitor the implementation of the children’s community options program.

46.272(2)(f) (f) Review and approve or disapprove the terms of risk reserve escrow accounts created under sub. (13) (f) and approve or disapprove disbursements for administrative or staff costs from the risk reserve escrow accounts.

46.272(4) (4) Duties of participating county departments. Each participating county department shall do all of the following:

46.272(4)(a) (a) Appoint members to an advisory committee or appoint an existing committee in the service area as the children’s community options advisory committee to assist in developing the program plan and to monitor the program. The committee shall include, but need not be limited to, the following members:

46.272(4)(a)1. 1. Parents of children with disabilities including, if possible, parents from families that participate in the children’s community options program. To the maximum extent possible, the parents shall be representative of the various disability, racial, and ethnic groups in the service area. The members specified under this subdivision shall constitute a majority of the membership of the committee.

46.272(4)(a)2. 2. Persons from the service area representing the county department under s. 46.23, 51.42, or 51.437 and the county department under s. 46.215 or 46.22, school districts, and local health departments, as defined in s. 250.01 (4). At least one of the committee members selected under this subdivision shall be a person providing community social services to children with disabilities who are eligible for the program.

46.272(4)(a)3. 3. Persons in the service area who provide social or educational services to children who have disabilities other than the providers specified in subd. 2.

46.272(4)(b) (b) Cooperate with the committee appointed under par. (a) to prepare a program plan. The program plan shall include all of the following:

46.272(4)(b)1. 1. A description of the proposed program operations.

46.272(4)(b)2. 2. The estimated number of families that will be assessed and served.

46.272(4)(b)3. 3. A list of specific groups, if any, that will be given priority for available funding.

46.272(4)(b)4. 4. A description of the outreach procedures that will be used to ensure that the program will be made available to children with physical, emotional, and developmental disabilities.