DHS 35: Considerations Regarding Documents

Considerations regarding use of the documents on this website:

1. Outpatient mental health clinics must comply with the requirements in DHS 35 and other applicable statutes and regulations. 

2. The model policies/procedures and forms provided on this site were developed by the Wisconsin Association of Behavioral Health Providers, Inc. and the Wisconsin Association of Family and Children's Agencies (WAFCA) with input from Dan Zimmerman and Mark Hale (Department of Health Services).  The purpose of clinic policies is to provide direction to staff members regarding regulatory compliance and to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of the clinic’s consumers.  Of course, it is also important that well developed policies and procedures are implemented appropriately and that clinic staff's compliance is monitored.

3. Outpatient mental health clinics may adopt or adapt the policies/procedures and forms as they wish.  However, it is important to note that the adoption of these documents does not guarantee compliance with DHS 35.  As you review these model documents , consider how they should be modified to:

   • meet the needs of your clinic and consumers; and

   • reflect changes over time due to changes in the needs of the clinic and its consumers.

4. Assessment and treatment plan forms are merely tools designed to remind clinic staff members of common data elements that should be included in a consumer's assessment or treatment plan.  An assessment or treatment plan form that ensured every possible question/issue is addressed for all age groups, all cultural groups, all diagnoses and behavioral issues, etc. would be an unwieldy tool.  Therefore, clinic staff members need to understand that they may need to ask questions not included in the form, as part of their due diligence to identify a consumer's strengths, needs, and recovery goals.