1. (1) General.

   1. (a) No person, agency, or facility may operate a CCF without a certification from the department.
   2. (b) Any facility licensed as a hospital under ch. 50, Stats., that provides services consistent with those described in this chapter may apply for CCF certification under this section.
   3. (c) This chapter shall not prevent co-location of a CCF with other facilities, including hospitals, or shared staffing arrangements.

2. (2) Application. All of the following materials shall be submitted to the department when applying for CCF certification:

   1. (a) A completed application specifying the population and geographic region to be served, and which demonstrates the program’s ability to do all the following:

      1. 1. Accept referrals for crisis services for adults and, if specifically identified in the application, for minors, including all the following:

         1. a. Involuntary clients brought under s. 51.15, Stats.
         2. b. Voluntary clients for services arriving as walk-ins or brought by law enforcement, emergency medical responders, or county crisis personnel.
      2. 2. Abstain from requiring medical clearance before admission assessment.
      3. 3. Provide assessments for physical health, mental health, and substance use.
      4. 4. Provide screening for suicide and violence risk.
      5. 5. Provide medication management and therapeutic counseling.
      6. 6. Provide coordination of services for basic needs.
      7. 7. Provide for the safety and security of staff and clients.
      8. 8. Provide voluntary and involuntary treatment of individuals in crisis and allow for an effective conversion from involuntary to voluntary treatment, or conversion from voluntary to involuntary treatment.
      9. 9. Demonstrate how sight and sound separation between services for minors and adults will be achieved, if certified to serve minors.
      10. 10. Maintain adequate staffing 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including through the use of telehealth.

      11. 11. Contribute, from at least one nonstate, federal, or 3rd-party revenue source, at minimum 5 percent of biennial operating costs, in addition to any grant awarded by the department.

          Note: Application forms are available at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/regulations/mentalhealth/certification.htm.

   2. (b) Payment for the application fee required under s. 51.04, Stats.

      Note: Fee information is available at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/regulations/mentalhealth/certification.htm.

   3. (c) A copy of the proposed CCF’s policies and procedures, as specified under s. DHS 31.07.

   4. (d) A floor plan of the proposed CCF which demonstrates all of the following:

      1. 1. Dimensions, exits, and planned room usage.
      2. 2. The proposed number of single-occupancy client rooms, double-occupancy client rooms, observation units and beds in the unit, seclusion rooms, and private treatment spaces and the rationale for these numbers.

      3. 3. The floor plan, which shall demonstrate compliance with s. 51.61, Stats., and include all the following:

         1. a. An accessible and easily identified walk-in area for persons seeking immediate services to be triaged.
         2. b. A locked unit for service provision to accommodate clients under s. 51.15 Stats., which may also serve voluntary clients.
         3. c. Methods to ensure privacy for each client.
         4. d. Measures to ensure the safety of clients, visitors, and staff.
   5. (e) All inspection reports completed during the last 12 months, as required under s. DHS 31.26 (2).
   6. (f) Proof of building insurance, risk insurance, liability insurance, and agency-owned vehicle insurance if providing transportation.
   7. (g) Payment of any forfeitures, fees, or assessments related to any licenses or certifications issued by the department to the applicant, or a written statement signed by an authorized representative stating that no fees, forfeitures, or assessments are owed.
   8. (h) Any additional information requested by the department.
3. (3) Compliance review. Upon receipt of all completed application materials under sub. (2), the applicant shall permit the department to conduct an on-site inspection of the facility and a review of any documentation necessary to determine compliance with this chapter.

4. (4) Certification determination.

   1. (a) The department shall make a certification determination in accordance with s. 51.036 (2), Stats. The department shall consider all the following before making certification determinations:

      1. 1. The region of the state to be served, and existing certified CCFs in that region or close proximity.
      2. 2. Whether any hospital facilities granted certification as a CCF are in the region or close proximity to the proposed CCF.
      3. 3. Whether the proposed CCF is in the region or close proximity to a state treatment facility designated for emergency detentions under s. 51.15 (2), Stats.

   2. (b) In accordance with s. 51.036 (2) (a), Stats., the department may limit the number of certifications issued.

      Note: Additional information about CCF certifications is available at: https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/regulations/mentalhealth/certification.htm.

   3. (c) As a condition of certification, a CCF shall agree to allow the department to make unannounced inspections and conduct complaint investigations of a CCF as it deems necessary, at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner.
5. (5) Notification of changes. A CCF that has received certification from the department shall notify the department of any change of administration, ownership, program name, or any other change that may affect compliance with this chapter before the effective date of the change. A certification is non-transferable. A new application will be required if the department determines there is a substantial change to a CCF.

6. (6) Duration of certification.

   1. (a) A certification is valid until suspended or terminated by the department.
   2. (b) A certification becomes invalid upon non-payment of biennial fees.

7. (7) Biennial report and fees.

   1. (a) Every 24 months, by the date determined by the department and specified on the CCF certification, the program shall submit a biennial report on the form provided by the department and shall submit payment of certification continuation fees for the purpose of renewing certification of the program for 2 years.
   2. (b) The department will send the re-certification materials to the provider, which the provider is expected to fill out and submit to the department according to instructions provided.
   3. (c) A certification may be suspended or terminated if biennial reports are not submitted by the date required under par. (a).

History

History: EmR2507: emerg. cr., eff. 6-16-25; CR 25-051: cr. Register February 2026 No. 842, eff. 3-1-26; correction in (1) (b), (2) (a) 11., (7) (c) made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register February 2026 No. 842.