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DDES INFO MEMO 2004-04

July 2, 2004

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Disability and Elder Services

To:
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
Bureau/Council Directors
Bureau Section Chiefs
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
Area Agencies on Aging Directors
County/Tribal Aging Units Directors
Independent Living Centers Directors

From: 
Sinikka Santala
Administrator

Re: Implementation of Comprehensive Community Services

1997 Wisconsin Act 27 created s. 49.45 (30e), Stats., relating to conditions for reimbursement of community-based psychosocial services programs under the medical assistance program and authorized the department to create rules establishing the scope of the psychosocial rehabilitation services that may be provided under s. 49.46 (2) (b) 6. Lm, Stats., standards for eligibility for those services, and certification requirements for community-based psychosocial programs under the medical assistance program. The psychosocial rehabilitation services developed in this new initiative complement services provided by existing community support programs under s. 51.421, Stats., by making a fuller array of mental health services potentially available to those in need in each county.

 The new rules allow for the creation of a broad range of flexible, consumer-centered, recovery oriented psychosocial services to both children and adults, including elders, whose psychosocial needs require more than outpatient therapy, but less than the level of services provided by existing community support programs. Certified community-based psychosocial programs that meet the requirements of s. 49.45 (30e), Stats., and corresponding changes to HFS 107.13 and HFS 105.257 and proposed ch. HFS 36 may be fully or partially funded by medical assistance with county match. These programs may also coordinate with other existing funding sources.

The purpose of this memo is to provide information to counties regarding the content of the new rules, the rule promulgation and public hearing processes and procedures for application for program certification by the Bureau of Quality Assurance.

Rule Promulgation and Public Hearing
In an effort to make this Medicaid benefit available as quickly as possible, the Department of Health and Family Services has elected to implement CCS through an Emergency Rule, to be followed by a Permanent Rule. It is anticipated that the emergency rule will be effective as of July 1, 2004. Public hearings to consider the proposed permanent and emergency rules will be held:

Public hearings are opportunities for the public to present facts, opinions or arguments either orally or in writing. Written comments received by mail or e-mail no later than 5:00 p.m., July 13, 2004 will be given the same consideration as testimony presented at a hearing.

It is anticipated that the permanent rule will become effective November 1, 2004.

HFS 36 Comprehensive Community Services
Both the proposed permanent rule and the emergency rule will be available at http://adminrules.wisconsin.gov. Upon opening the website, initiate a search for "HFS 36" to the rule.

Initial Program Application
Initial applications will be reviewed by the Bureau of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services prior to certification by the Bureau of Quality Assurance. A draft of the Initial Program Application will be available at www.dhfs.wisconsin.gov/mh_bcmh under "Items of Interest". This is provided for review and planning purposes only. A packet of application materials can be obtained from Bid Webb at 608 243 2025.

The Department requests that counties complete a Notice of Intent to apply for certification so that the Department can anticipate the workload to be created as initial program applications are submitted. A copy of the Letter of Intent is attached to this memo and will be included with the initial application materials available on the web.

CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT: 
Jeff Hinz
Bureau of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
1 West Wilson Street, Room 433
P.O. Box 7851
Madison, Wisconsin 53707-7851
(608) 266 2861
e-mail: HinzJE@dhfs.state.wi.us

MEMO WEB SITE: 
http://dhfs.wisconsin.gov/partners/local.htm

Cc:
CCS Advisory Workgroup
Stephanie Petska, DPI, Director of Special Education Team
Doug White, DPI, Director of Student services Prevention & Wellness Team

_________________________________________________________

Attachment:

The Department of Health and Family Services requests that counties complete this form and submit it to the Bureau of Quality Assurance. This process will assist the Department in anticipating the workload to be created as initial program applications are submitted.

County or Tribe Applicant_________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________

Contact Person___________________________________________________________________

Telephone______________________________

FAX__________________________________

E-mail address_____________________________________________________

Date by which you anticipate applying for provisional certification________________________

(Please be as accurate as possible when you indicate the anticipated date for application for CCS certification. Inaccurate projections regarding applications could delay review as BQA staff are generally scheduled well in advance for surveys. Thank you.)

________________________________     _______________
Signature of Authorized Representative             Date

_________________________________________________
Title

Return this Notice of Intent to:
Rick Ruecking
Bureau of Quality Assurance
2917 International Lane
Madison, WI 53704
RUECKRB@dhfs.state.wi.us

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