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Community-Based Residential Facilities: Memos and Publications

New online licensure and certification system for health and residential care providers

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) is launching the DHS DQA Provider Portal, a new system for licensure, background checks, plan reviews, and other provider applications for assisted living facilities, adult day care centers, personal care agencies, and substance use and mental health treatment programs. Licensure/certification applications and plan review materials will not be accepted electronically or postmarked as of November 22, 2025, as we transition to the new system. We will accept applications and plan review materials starting December 15, 2025. Applications must be submitted using the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our webpage.

Background check applications for all users

To prepare for the transition to the new DHS DQA Provider Portal, the Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) will not accept any new background check applications for entity operators, non-client residents, or other required individuals for new or renewing entity license/certification applications, or for rehabilitation review applicants as of November 22, 2025.

DQA will resume accepting background check applications on December 15, 2025, through the DHS DQA Provider Portal. To prepare for this transition and for more information, visit our webpage. Caregiver background checks completed by entities for employees and contractors are not affected by this transition.

This page includes helpful resources related to community-based residential facilities (CBRFs). Publications are files or websites with additional information. Division of Quality Assurance (DQA) numbered memos are documents that deal with:

  • CBRF policies.
  • Guidelines for CBRFs regulated by DQA.
  • Information and interpretation of federal and state regulations.

Questions? Email dhswebmaildqa@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

Publications

Select a link to learn more:

Memos

Memos from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)

View our Memos Library to access a wealth of communications issued by DHS regarding policies and procedures and how they should be put into action.

DQA numbered memos

Select a link to view the memo. You can also view the list of all DQA Memos.

For an official paper copy of any numbered memo, email or write:

Memo Number Description Issue Date Attachments Obsolete date
25-002
Construction Requirements for New 'Class-C' CBRF Structures
25-001
Background Check Renewals for Entity Operators & Non-Client Residents
23-004
Residential Crisis Stabilization Facilities Licensure/Certification
23-003
25-002 		Construction Requirements for New 'Class-C' CBRF Structures
23-002
Fire Watch, Fire Plan, and Fire Reporting Update
21-008
Prohibited Restraints and Restrictive Measures in Community-Based Programs and Facilities
21-003
Community Based Residential Facilities and Crisis Stabilization
21-002
Notice and Requirements for Submitting Four-Year Renewal of Licensee Background Check Information
20-009
Licensure/Certification Application for Temporary Assisted Living Facility Expansion Units and Transfer Options during the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency State

Glossary

 
Last revised November 20, 2025