Client Rights: Community-Based Service Providers

If you provide services and treatment for a developmental disability, mental health, substance use, you may be considered a treatment facility as defined in Wis. Stat. ch. 51. You therefore must uphold client rights as identified in Wis. Stat. § 51.61 and Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 94.

Legal definitions

Treatment

Wisconsin Stat. § 51.01(17) defines “treatment” as "those psychological, educational, social, chemical, medical or somatic techniques designed to bring about rehabilitation of a mentally ill, alcoholic, drug dependent or developmentally disabled person."

• Treatment does not include habilitation.
• Services and treatment for degenerative brain disorders, including Alzheimer's' disease, are excluded from this definition.
• Rehabilitation refers to improving the patient’s condition through improvement of symptoms and behaviors, and it goes beyond custodial care.

Treatment facility

Wisconsin Stat. § 51.01(19) defines “treatment facility” as "any publicly or privately operated facility or unit thereof providing treatment of alcoholic, drug dependent, mentally ill or developmentally disabled persons, including but not limited to inpatient and outpatient treatment programs, community support programs and rehabilitation programs."

Resources

• How the grievance process works
• Grievance procedure with sample decision letters
• Research approval
• Education and training
• Handouts and posters

Questions

See the Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to the most common questions and contact information.