Chapter DHS 61

DHS 61.30(3)(c) (c) The family or advocate of an adult with a developmental disability shall be involved at the request of the individual.

DHS 61.30 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1980, No. 289, eff. 2-1-80; correction in (2) (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635.

DHS 61.31 DHS 61.31 Information and referral services. Information and referral services provide a current complete listing of resources available to the person with a developmental disability. This information shall be cataloged and readily available to the person with a developmental disability, the professional serving the person with a developmental disability and other interested people.

DHS 61.31(1) (1) Required personnel. There shall be a person responsible for the information and referral service who shall have the skills and knowledge that would typically be acquired through a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree in one of the social service fields and one year of experience in human services or graduate education specializing in information services. This person shall have demonstrated knowledge of the local service delivery system as well as the resources available outside of the local system.

DHS 61.31(2) (2) Program.

DHS 61.31(2)(a) (a) The information and referral services shall solicit, catalog and disseminate information on all resources available to meet the needs of people with developmental disabilities. All information shall be disseminated in an unbiased manner. When necessary, individuals will be assisted in obtaining services in cooperation with the developmental disabilities follow-along services.

DHS 61.31(2)(b) (b) Whenever possible this service shall be coordinated with the information and referral activities of the other disability areas of the boards and other public agencies providing information and referral services.

DHS 61.31(2)(c) (c) Each information and referral service shall have a written plan which describes its method of operation.

DHS 61.31(2)(d) (d) Each information and referral service shall maintain the following information on all inquiries:

DHS 61.31(2)(d)1. 1. Mode of inquiry—personal visit, letter, phone call, and so forth.

DHS 61.31(2)(d)2. 2. From whom inquiry was received—consumer, professional, and so forth.

DHS 61.31(2)(d)3. 3. Type of information or referral needed.

DHS 61.31(2)(d)4. 4. Developmental disability for which information or referral was requested.

DHS 61.31(2)(d)5. 5. The effectiveness of the referrals.

DHS 61.31(2)(e) (e) There shall be an internal annual review of par. (d) to ascertain where this service can be improved. Data that appears to point to gaps or weaknesses in community services shall be forwarded in writing to the board for consideration in the planning and budgeting process.

DHS 61.31(2)(f) (f) Each information and referral services shall develop and implement a written plan for continuous, internal evaluation of the effectiveness of its program.

DHS 61.31 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1980, No. 289, eff. 2-1-80.

DHS 61.32 DHS 61.32 Follow-along services. Follow-along services establish and maintain a relationship with a person with a developmental disability and the family for the purpose of assuring that the needs of a person with a developmental disability are identified and met. Follow-along services shall establish a catchment area system of case management which shall coordinate services to a person with a developmental disability whether that person receives services from one or many agencies.

DHS 61.32(1) (1) Required personnel. There shall be a case manager who has the skills and knowledges that would be typically acquired through a course of study leading to a degree in a human services related field, and at least 2 years experience in developmental disabilities. This person shall be knowledgeable concerning the service delivery system and the resources available to the individual with a developmental disability. The case manager shall be responsible to the director of the board, or if contracted, to the director of the contracted agency.

DHS 61.32(2) (2) Program.

DHS 61.32(2)(a) (a) There shall be a system of case management which coordinates all services to people with developmental disabilities within the respective board catchment area.

DHS 61.32(2)(b) (b) The board or the agency contracted for follow-along service shall develop a written plan to inform all people known to have a developmental disability and their family of the follow-along service as it relates to:

DHS 61.32(2)(b)1. 1. The obligation of the case manager in the development and supervision of a comprehensive, individualized service plan.

DHS 61.32(2)(b)2. 2. The availability of this service to people with a developmental disability on a life-long basis, regardless of the need for other service elements.

DHS 61.32(2)(c) (c) The case manager shall be responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of a service plan for each individual receiving services other than information and referral, diagnosis, and transportation. This service plan shall be developed as specified under s. DHS 61.34 evaluation service.

DHS 61.32(2)(d) (d) The case manager shall coordinate, his or her effort with the information and referral service to assist people with a developmental disability in obtaining a service they need which does or does not exist within the board mandate.

DHS 61.32(2)(e) (e) The case manager shall provide an annual written summary to the director on each person who receives only follow-along service.

DHS 61.32 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1980, No. 289, eff. 2-1-80; correction in (2) (c) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7, Stats., July, 2000, No. 535; correction in (2) (c) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 7., Stats., Register, June, 2001, No. 546.

DHS 61.33 DHS 61.33 Diagnostic services. Diagnostic services are medical services, to identify the presence of a developmental disability.

DHS 61.33(1) (1) Required personnel.

DHS 61.33(1)(a) (a) Diagnosis shall be performed by a physician. Whenever possible the physician shall be a specialist in developmental disorders.

DHS 61.33(1)(b) (b) There shall be additional personnel as necessary to meet the diagnostic needs of the individual.

DHS 61.33(2) (2) Program.

DHS 61.33(2)(a) (a) Diagnosis shall be provided when the person enters the service delivery system, if this has not already been completed, and periodically thereafter when changes in functioning indicate that a person’s eligibility for services should be reassessed.

DHS 61.33(2)(b) (b) The diagnosis shall include a physical assessment and may include a psychological assessment and a social history if they relate to the person’s developmental disability.

DHS 61.33(2)(c) (c) A written report on the type and degree of an individual’s developmental disability shall be made to the director within 30 days after the referral for service has been made.

DHS 61.33(2)(d) (d) The written report shall be available to the service providers on a need to know basis as specified in s. 51.30, Stats.

DHS 61.33 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1980, No. 289, eff. 2-1-80.

DHS 61.34 DHS 61.34 Evaluation services. Evaluation services are the systematic assessment of pertinent physical, psychological, vocational, educational, cultural, social, familial, economic, legal, environmental, mobility, and other factors affecting the individual with a developmental disability in order to develop a comprehensive service plan. Evaluation services shall include the initial formal evaluation as well as a mechanism for review and modification of the service plan.

DHS 61.34(1) (1) Required personnel.

DHS 61.34(1)(a) (a) There shall be a case manager who acts as coordinator.

DHS 61.34(1)(b) (b) There shall be additional personnel as necessary to meet the evaluation needs of the individual. The evaluation shall, as needed, include assessments of a physician, psychologist, dentist, optometrist, speech pathologist, audiologist, professional vocational specialist, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse, or teacher.

DHS 61.34(1)(c) (c) The person shall be actively involved in the evaluation process and family members, advocates or guardians of the individual shall be included if appropriate.

DHS 61.34(1)(d) (d) In conjunction with the implementation of the service plan, staff within agencies shall be designated to provide continuous evaluation of a person’s performance within a service or activity.

DHS 61.34(2) (2) Program.

DHS 61.34(2)(a) (a) The case manager shall be responsible for coordinating the formal evaluation. The formal evaluation shall, as needed, include personnel who are able to provide a systematic interdisciplinary assessment of physical, psychological, vocational, educational, cultural, social, economic, legal, environmental, familial, mobility, and other characteristics affecting the person with a developmental disability.

DHS 61.34(2)(b) (b) A person shall receive a formal evaluation within 30 days of the referral for evaluation services.

DHS 61.34(2)(c) (c) All or portions of evaluations done by local or state agencies such as local schools, centers for the developmentally disabled, division of vocational rehabilitation (DVR) or technical college system which are less than one year old shall be reviewed.

DHS 61.34(2)(d) (d) The case manager shall ensure that a written report is prepared which shall contain:

DHS 61.34(2)(d)1. 1. Recommendations on the nature and scope of services needed to correct or minimize the disabling condition or conditions and those services needed to promote or enhance the individual’s total strengths and assets.

DHS 61.34(2)(d)2. 2. The extent to which the disability limits, or can be expected to limit, the individual and how and to what extent the disabling condition or conditions may be corrected or minimized.

DHS 61.34(2)(f) (f) The case manager shall be responsible for the development of a service plan based upon the reports of the evaluators. The service plan shall be developed in cooperation with the individual and the family. The service plan shall state long and short-term objectives for the individual, services needed to meet objectives and a timetable for their attainment. The service plan shall also include agency case plans which shall contain outcome oriented, measurable objectives and a timetable for their attainment. It shall specify the types of activities in which the person shall participate and the activities shall be appropriate to the age as well as the functional level of the individual.

DHS 61.34(2)(g) (g) The case manager shall coordinate the implementation of the service plan and shall review the agencies case plans and the written progress notes of the agency staff concerning the individual’s progress toward the objectives contained in the service plan at least every 6 months.

DHS 61.34(2)(h) (h) There shall be continuous evaluation which shall be the responsibility of the case manager and agency staff. As part of the continuous evaluation, the case manager shall hold at least an annual review of the service plan. This review shall include the individual, those persons responsible for providing services to the individual, and the family. Any of the people involved in the original assessment, may be included. The case manager shall ensure that a written summary report of the annual review is prepared.

DHS 61.34(2)(i) (i) The case manager shall be responsible for coordinating formal re-evaluations of the individual based upon the recommendations from the annual review.

DHS 61.34(2)(j) (j) The case manager shall be responsible for modifying the service plan based upon any significant change in the person’s functioning and shall coordinate the implementation of the revised service plan.

DHS 61.34 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1980, No. 289, eff. 2-1-80; correction in (6) made under s. 13.93 (2m) (b) 6., Stats., Register, June, 1995, No 474.

DHS 61.35 DHS 61.35 Counseling services. Counseling services provide professional guidance based on knowledge of human behavior through the use of interpersonal skills to achieve specified goals.

DHS 61.35(1) (1) Personnel.

DHS 61.35(1)(a) (a) The individual providing counseling services, except in the areas of medical and legal counseling, shall have the skills and knowledges that would be typically acquired through a course of study leading to a master’s degree in one of the behavioral sciences and one year of training or experience in the specific area in which counseling is being offered.

DHS 61.35(1)(b) (b) Medical counseling shall be provided by a licensed physician or a registered professional nurse in accord with the Professional Practice Act, and legal counseling shall be provided by a licensed attorney. Non-medical or non-legal counselors shall inform the person with a developmental disability and the family of what the statutes provide and the interpretations provided by administrative rules and guidelines in the legal and medical areas.

DHS 61.35(2) (2) Program.

DHS 61.35(2)(a) (a) Counseling services may assist the person with a developmental disability and the family to understand his or her capabilities and limitations or assist in the alleviations of problems of adjustment and interpersonal relationships.

DHS 61.35(2)(b) (b) Counseling services shall assist the person with a developmental disability and the family with understanding the objectives in the individual’s service plan.

DHS 61.35(2)(c) (c) Counseling services shall be provided as recommended in the service plan.

DHS 61.35(2)(d) (d) The counselor shall keep a written record for each counselee. The record shall contain summaries of each scheduled session and any other significant contact. The record shall include but is not limited to the following data:

DHS 61.35(2)(d)1. 1. Date of contact.

DHS 61.35(2)(d)2. 2. Names, addresses and phone numbers of the people involved in contact.

DHS 61.35(2)(d)3. 3. Duration of the contact.

DHS 61.35(2)(d)4. 4. Progress toward objectives of the counseling case plan.

DHS 61.35(2)(d)5. 5. Recommendations for changes in counseling or the overall service plan.

DHS 61.35(2)(e) (e) The counselor shall send a written report to the case manager at least every 6 months. The report shall contain a statement on progress toward the goals of the service plan and the recommendations for changes in the service plan.

DHS 61.35 History History: Cr. Register, January, 1980, No. 289, eff. 2-1-80.

DHS 61.36 DHS 61.36 Education services. Education services are structured learning experiences designed to develop ability to learn and acquire useful knowledge and basic academic skills, and to improve the ability to apply them to everyday living.

DHS 61.36(1) (1) Agency based programs for birth-3 years.

DHS 61.36(1)(a) (a) Required personnel.

DHS 61.36(1)(a)1. 1. There shall be a director who shall have skills and knowledges that typically would be acquired through a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education or a closely related area.

DHS 61.36(1)(a)2. 2. Instructional and related personnel shall be certified or meet certification requirements as established by the department of public instruction.

DHS 61.36(1)(a)3. 3. The maximum number of children in a group and the ratio of children to direct service staff shall not exceed:

DHS 61.36(1)(b) (b) Program.

DHS 61.36(1)(b)1. 1. For children from birth to 3 years, the program emphasis shall be on cognitive, motor, social, communication and self help skills.

DHS 61.36(1)(b)2. 2. Whenever possible programming for the birth to 3 year old shall be done in conjunction with the parents or the persons primarily responsible for the care of the child.

DHS 61.36(1)(b)3. 3. Programming for the birth to 3 year old shall take into consideration the individual family environment of each child.

DHS 61.36(1)(b)4. 4. Educational services shall be provided as recommended in the service plan.

DHS 61.36(1)(b)5. 5. Designated staff involved in the education service shall send a written report to the case manager at least every 6 months. The report shall contain a statement on progress toward the objectives of the service plan and the recommendations for changes in the service plan.

DHS 61.36(2) (2) Home-based services for birth-3 years.

DHS 61.36(2)(a) (a) Required personnel.

DHS 61.36(2)(a)1. 1. There shall be a home trainer who is certified by the department based on the criteria established by the Wisconsin hometrainers association, Inc. A licensed physical therapist or neuro-developmental occupational therapist also qualifies as home trainers.

DHS 61.36(2)(b) (b) Program.