DSL Memo Series 2001 -27

STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Supportive Living

November 20, 2001

To:
Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators
Assessment Facility Contacts for the Intoxicated Driver Program
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
County Designated Coordinators for the Intoxicated Driver Program
Department of Transportation
Section Chiefs
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
Traffic Safety School Coordinators
University of Wisconsin

From: Sinikka McCabe, Administrator

Re:
ASSESSMENT OF INTOXICATED DRIVERS (HFS 62) AND
ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH COMMUNITY SUBSTANCE ABUSE
SERVICE STANDARDS (HFS 75)

In a previous Memo Series (DSL 2001-04, May 10, 2001), I indicated that the certification of intoxicated driver assessment services is currently under review by a workgroup of Bureau of Substance Abuse Services staff and intoxicated driver program representatives. The workgroup has met, and until further notice, this memo serves as interim division policy pertaining to the assessment of intoxicated drivers (HFS 62) and its relationship with community substance abuse service standards (HFS 75). The Bureau of Quality Assurance’s program certification staff will follow this interim policy.

With the repeal of HFS 61.50 to 61.68, the requirement for certification of intoxicated driver assessment services [HFS 62.01(3)(c)] was not fully addressed under current HFS 75 rules. Until these issues can be resolved, we will be waiving and granting variances to certification requirements. We have identified three types of intoxicated driver assessment facilities that have been affected by the promulgation of HFS 75:

1. Assessment facilities previously certified under HFS 61.54 - Intervention Program, that do not have a comparable service to be certified under
HFS 75.

2. Assessment facilities previously certified under HFS 61.59 - Outpatient Program, that do not provide "treatment."

3. Assessment facilities that do provide treatment under HFS 75.13, however at least one or more of their intoxicated driver assessment staff do not meet the qualifications for a substance abuse counselor.

At the recommendation of the workgroup, this memo will address program certification, qualifications of assessment staff, and the use of level of care placement criteria (UPC, ASAM, or other similar approved criteria).

Program Certification of Intoxicated Driver and Other Types of Assessment Services

Until further notice, certification under HFS 75 is not required of intoxicated driver assessment facilities. Intoxicated driver assessment services shall be designated by a community board under s. 46.23 or 51.42, Stats. in accordance with HFS 62.01(3)(e) to provide these services and shall have a formal written agreement on file verifying this designation. 
HFS 75-certified programs providing intoxicated driver assessment services are encouraged to continue their certification with the variances discussed below. A workgroup, including community representatives, will be established to examine the need for revision of HFS 62 and/or HFS 75 and make recommendations about the division's role in the approval or certification of intoxicated driver and other forms of assessment services under Wis. Stats. 51.45(2)(c), 343.30(1q)(c)(1), and 343.30(1q)(c)(2). It is important that assessment and various treatment services be considered part of the same continuum of care, therefore, I am instructing the workgroup to take this principle into consideration. The workgroup's recommendations will be provided to me by March 29, 2002. HFS 62 and/or HFS 75 may be revised as a result.

Qualifications of Assessment Staff

Until further notice, HFS 75-certified programs providing intoxicated driver assessment services will receive an automatic variance to the staff qualifications requirements for current intoxicated driver assessment staff that do not meet qualifications, provided they meet the qualifications under HFS 62.01(3)(d) and 62.03(1). It is important that we recognize the professional competency of assessors. The workgroup will also examine intoxicated driver and other assessor qualification standards, approval processes, and continuing education requirements, and make recommendations to me by March 29, 2002, about modifications in
HFS 62 and/or HFS 75.

Use of Level of Care Placement Criteria (UPC, ASAM, or Other Similar Approved Criteria)

Treatment programs providing driver safety plan services for intoxicated driver clients shall meet appropriate HFS 75 standards pertaining to the use of placement criteria. Intoxicated driver assessment services are encouraged to utilize UPC, ASAM, or other similar approved criteria during assessment for clients having treatment needs identified through the Wisconsin Assessment of the Impaired Driver (WAID) tool so that there may be continuity from assessment to treatment. Once treatment need is identified, it is important that service placement criteria be the same whether the client is in an assessment or treatment setting, an intoxicated driver client or another type of client. Until further notice, however, intoxicated driver assessment services are not required to utilize UPC, ASAM, or other similar approved criteria. The issue of assessment findings and program recommendations under HFS 62.04 and placement criteria under HFS 75.03(10)(c) will be addressed by the workgroup in their recommendations. In addition I have requested the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services to conduct at least three special training workshops on UPC for intoxicated driver assessor staff at a nominal cost.

Staff in the Bureau of Substance Abuse Services are available to answer questions about this interim policy. Thank you for your cooperation.

REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACT: Area Administrators/Assistant Area Administrators

CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT: Greg Levenick, Section Supervisor
Program Planning, Evaluation and Monitoring Section
Bureau of Substance Abuse Services
1 W. Wilson St.
PO Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-7851
608-266-1987

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