The Client Rights Office acts as an import Self-Direction service. An important part of the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, it helps individuals with developmental disabilities understand their service rights. This support is available in inpatient or outpatient settings.
Who They Help
The office assists individuals in various care settings, such as:
- Adult family homes and clinics
- Community and state-run facilities
- Group homes
Main Responsibilities
The Client Rights Office helps respect individual rights, provide guidance, and hear complaints. These focus areas ensure rights are protected and respected.
- Upholding Client Rights
One of the primary roles of the office is to safeguard the rights of those receiving care. The staff monitors any changes in laws and regulations related to client rights. They also suggest improvements when needed to keep these rights protected.
Under Wisconsin law, individuals have rights in regard to the services they receive. These include rights relating, but are not limited to:
- Treatment
- Privacy and Access of Records
- Internal and External Communications
- Individual Worker Rights
Individuals and self-advocates have rights to access accurate information about their support services. Thet are able to take part in their treatment and support planning. Individuals can also refuse support services they don’t want. Individuals have the power to keep their information confidential. Providers and agencies must receive an individual’s consent to release their information. They must also provide access to medical and treatment records to individuals. Other rights for participants and direct care professionals include:
- Contacting public health officials or advocates on their behalf
- Be paid for their work
- Freedom to work in unrestrictive environments
- Receive privacy when desired
For more information on individual rights, visit the DHS Client Rights: Rights When Receiving Services page.
- Providing Guidance on Rights
Understanding self-direction services is tricky. This is especially true when understanding your rights. The Client Rights Office helps individuals, their families, advocates, and service providers to comprehend and respect these rights. Their goal is to ensure all parties involved are well-informed.
If you have any questions about your rights, you should contact the Client Rights Office. The Client Rights Office can be contacted by email or direct mail.
- Email the Client Rights Office at DHSDCTSCRO@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
- Send a letter to the Client Rights Office to:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Client Rights Office
PO Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-7851
- Handling Complaints and Grievances
When someone feels their rights have been violated, the Client Rights Office steps in to assist. The office’s grievance examiner will review complaints about community services and the grievance process. They also review appeals related to facilities the DHS runs.
Individuals enrolled in self-direction services have the right to file complaints. Complaints are accepted because they are voluntarily receiving services and have their support services paid for by a state agency. The four steps of the grievance process include:
- Filing a complaint
- Appealing in disagreement to the response
- Appealing to the Client Rights Office
- Appealing to the Division of Care and Treatment Services
Read the full complaint procedure by visiting the Client Rights Offices’ Client Rights: How the Complaint Process Works webpage.
How the Office Supports Self-Direction
For those enrolled in self-directed care services, knowing and protecting your rights is important. The Client Rights Office is a great resource for individuals, families, and advocates who want their rights respected and protected.
If you have concerns about your rights or need help with a grievance, contact the Client Rights Office for support. Their dedication to protecting rights ensures that every person is treated fairly during their self-direction journey.