Four-Year Anniversary of the
Wisconsin Caregiver Law
PDF Version of BQA 02-016 (PDF,
12 KB)
Date: September 13, 2002 -- BQA Memo 02-016
FROM: Donna Cochems, Chief, Caregiver Regulation &
Investigation Section
cc: Susan Schroeder, Director, Bureau of Quality Assurance
This memo contains important information on the following topics:
Caregiver Background Checks Hit Four-Year Mark
Since October 1, 1998, entities have been required to complete caregiver
background checks on all caregivers. The Caregiver Law requires that
after the initial background check at the time of employment or contracting,
entities must conduct new caregiver background checks at least every
four years. This October marks the four-year anniversary of the
implementation of the Caregiver Law. Entities are reminded they must
complete caregiver background checks on their existing employees every four
years from the previous check.
Example: Patricia has worked as an AODA Counselor since July 1998. A
caregiver background check was completed in November 1998. The counseling
service must complete a new caregiver background check on Patricia in
November 2002.
Example: Sam has been a personal care worker at a CBRF since March
2002. A caregiver background check was completed when he was hired. A new
caregiver background check must be completed in March 2006.
A complete caregiver background check consists of the following
documents:
1. A completed F82064
Background Information Disclosure (PDF, 31 KB) (BID) form;
2. A response from the Department of Justice (DOJ) Wisconsin Criminal
History Record Request, either
- A "no record found" response or
- A criminal record transcript (Wisconsin Identification Data); and
3. A "Response to Caregiver Background Check" letter from the
Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) that reports the person’s
administrative finding or licensing restriction status.
Other documentation must be obtained by the entity when information is
needed to complete the background check, such as: other state’s conviction
records, military discharge papers, and arrest and conviction disposition
information from local clerks of courts or tribal courts. Please refer to
Chapter 2 of The
Wisconsin Caregiver Program Manual at www.dhs.state.wi.us/caregiver/publications/CgvrProgMan.htm
for more information.
Changes in the Response to Caregiver Background Check Letter
Effective September 11, 2002, the DHFS Response to Caregiver Background
Check letter, also referred to as the IBIS letter, will provide the
following information:
- Noncredentialed Caregiver Findings of Abuse or Neglect of a Client or
Misappropriation of a Client’s Property (both in Wisconsin or another
state, if known)
- Denials or Revocations of Operating Licenses for Adult Programs
- Denials or Revocations of Operating Licenses for Child Programs
- Rehabilitation Review Findings
- Status of Professional Credentials, Licenses or Certifications
maintained by the Department of Regulation and Licensing
Entities must examine this information for findings of misconduct by a
governmental agency and make employment decisions based on the results.
Entities can ignore information on anyone other than the person for whom
they requested a background check. Questions regarding any of the
information on the IBIS letter should be directed to the appropriate phone
number listed on the letter.
Since the IBIS letter was not designed to indicate a nurse aide’s
employment eligibility, the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) is the fastest,
most efficient way to verify a nurse aide’s status. Employers must
call the IVR to verify a nurse aide’s current employment eligibility prior
to hiring a person. Information regarding a nurse aide’s status on the
Directory may be accessed toll free, 24 hours per day, by calling from a
touch tone phone at (877) 224-0235 and providing the aide’s Social
Security Number. The Department is in the process of contracting out these
services. Information about a web-based Registry and a new IVR number will
be published in the near future.
Caregiver Program Website
Please access the Department’s web site at www.dhfs.state.wi.us/
caregiver
for more information, including The
Wisconsin Caregiver Program Manual, forms, rules and regulations, and
the Caregiver
Misconduct Registry. You may also contact the Caregiver Intake Unit at (608) 243-2019 or Caregiver_Intake@dhfs.state.wi.us
with questions.
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