Mental Health: Provider Information

This page is for professionals who provide mental health services. If you are looking for information on mental health services in your community, call 211.

Rules and regulations

• Wis. Stat. ch. 51 - State Alcohol, Drug Abuse, Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health Act
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 34 - Emergency Mental Health Service Programs
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 35 - Outpatient Mental Health Clinics
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 36 - Comprehensive Community Services for Persons with Mental Disorders and Substance Use Disorders
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 40 - Mental Health Day Treatment Services for Children
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 50 - Youth Crisis Stabilization Facilities
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 61 - Community Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities
• Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 63 - Community Support Programs for Chronically Mentally Ill Persons
• Mental Health Treatment Programs: Certification
• Client rights

Crisis Intervention Network

All professionals who respond to mental health crisis situations are invited to participate in monthly virtual meetings with staff from the Division of Care and Treatment Services, Division of Medicaid Services, and Division of Quality Assurance.

Join our Crisis Intervention Network email list to receive information on how to join these meetings.

CLAS Standards implementation

The Division of Care and Treatment Services is requiring select contracted providers to implement the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (also known as the CLAS Standards).

Contracts with the Bureau of Prevention Treatment and Recovery initiated and renewed after January 1, 2024, include a revised Exhibit 4 that outlines expectations for providers related to CLAS Standards implementation.

Under the revised Exhibit 4, providers are expected to:

• Learn about the CLAS Standards.
• Form a team dedicated to CLAS Standards implementation.
• Complete the CLAS Standards Assessment Planning Tool.
• Create a CLAS Standards implementation plan for the length of the grant.
• Work on implementing the CLAS Standards during the grant period.
• Review the CLAS Standards implementation plan each contract year and make updates as needed.

Key documents for CLAS Standards implementation

• Exhibit 4 (PDF)
• CLAS Standards Assessment Planning Tool (PDF)
• Behavioral Health Implementation Guide for The National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services in Health and Health Care (PDF)

Contact the Division of Care and Treatment Services at DHSDCTSCLAS@dhs.wisconsin.gov with questions regarding CLAS Standards implementation expectations.

Peer recovery support services

Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 72 defines and regulates peer recovery support services. 

Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 72 certification for peer recovery support services is not required for treatment programs certified under Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 35. 

Peer recovery support services provided by peer recovery coaches under the standards listed in Wis. Admin Code ch. DHS 72, subch. II, are covered by Wisconsin Medicaid. 

Wisconsin Medicaid coverage policy for peer recovery services is expected to be released in the spring of 2026. Now is the time for programs to review Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 72 and create or revise policies and procedures to comply with the standards. 

Send questions regarding Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 72 to the Division of Care and Treatment Services at DHSDCTS72@dhs.wisconsin.gov. 

Sign up to receive Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 72 updates.

Training opportunities

• Foundations of Wisconsin Wraparound
• Person-Centered Planning
• Wisconsin Public Psychiatry Network Teleconference

Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement

The Wisconsin Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health (IDD-MH) System Improvement Report (PDF) came out in June 2024. It gives 37 specific recommendations for improving systems and services for people with IDD-MH needs in Wisconsin. Visit the Wisconsin IDD-MH System Improvement page for more information.

Contacts

Division of Care and Treatment Services

• Send questions regarding mental health services training and technical assistance to DHSDCTSOUTPATIENTSERVICES@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
• Send questions regarding peer recovery support services to DHSDCTS72@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
• Send questions regarding substance use services training and technical assistance to DHSDCTSDHS75@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
• Send questions regarding CLAS Standards implementation expectations to  DHSDCTSCLAS@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Division of Medicaid Services
Send questions about Medicaid policies and procedures to pam.lano@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Division of Quality Assurance
Send questions about certifications, waivers, and variances to DHSDQAMentalHealthAODA@dhs.wisconsin.gov.