11-Preliminary QA CCS Ancillary EOI 080325.pdf

Preliminary Questions & Answers, BHS CCS Ancillary Services EOI August 3, 2025

Q1. After reviewing the Open Enrollment documents, I had a question regarding the “Services Desired” section. Specifically, under bullet points 1 and 2, there is a list of therapy services outlined in bullet point 1.

Could you please clarify whether these services are limited to agencies that currently provide these therapy related services, as listed in bullet point 1? If so, does this mean that agencies not currently offering these therapy services are ineligible to apply under this category?

For example, if my agency is looking to begin providing therapy services, would we be disqualified from applying at this time?

A1. We are looking to increase the CCS Provider Network, and that means we are looking to offer service agreements to agencies who are currently providing one or more of those services within the Milwaukee County geographic service area, but not currently as contractors to the CCS Provider Network.

If a Current CCS Agency is not approved by the county to provide one of the services listed on page 10 of the EOI at this time, they can apply through the EOI process to add that service to their Agency.

Any agency that has a mission and a focus to serve one or more of the underserved populations listed on page 10 should apply through the EOI process to provide any service or services listed on the spreadsheet (“Quick Reference Service Type List General 5.19.2025.xlxs”). Agencies need to have provided their identified service(s) in the community for at least three years.

Q2. Is this for agencies that would like to add new services codes that is already in network with CCS youth and adults

A2. Agencies currently providing services in the CCS Provider Network can submit materials in this EOI process if they wish to add a service(s) as described on page 10 of the EOI booklet.

Q3. These questions below are in reference to the following statement(s) found on page 7 of the EOI document regarding clinical supervisor/supervision.

"All agencies must have a clinical supervisor designated on their CCS Staff Roster. This is someone licensed under DHS36.10(2)(g)1-8. who is responsible for providing your entire team with clinical supervision and documenting it on the CCS Supervision Log. "

Questions:

Do we need to have a supervisor given that we are three licensed (LPC) professionals or can we consult/supervise with each other?

If we need an additional supervisor, do they need to be credentialed with CCS or can we bring in an outside licensed clinical supervisor? Additionally, would they need to be an employee, or can they be someone we contract to come in once a month to provide supervision for the required time?

A3. An LPC would fall under DHS 36.10 (2) (g) 1-8 – so they would need the before required clinical supervision OR clinical collaborations. Clinical supervision and clinical collaboration records shall be dated and documented with a signature of the person providing supervision or clinical collaboration

“Each staff member qualified under s. DHS 36.10 (2) (g) 1. to 8. shall participate in at least one hour of either supervision or clinical collaboration per month or for every 120-clock hours of face–to–face psychosocial rehabilitation or service facilitation they provide”.

Q4. This question is from the provider site information section on page 13 of the EOI document.

Do we need to have an official office space or will a home office with HIPPA compliant storage be sufficient given that we are primarily providing (in person) community-based services and not in-office services?

A4. List your home office in the Items 26 and 26A, and note that your services are community-based or telehealth.

Q5. Do we need to be a TBE to be considered, or will you consider women owned businesses not certified with the DOA per option on the form that can be selected (marked)?

A5. All Proposers must complete and submit TARGETED BUSINESS ENTERPRISE (TBE) CERTIFICATION ITEM #TBE. Please select the option that best describes your agency.

A TBE is any of the following:

• DBE certified by the WisUCP

• MBE certified as a Minority Owned Business with the State of Wisconsin DOA

• WBE certified as a Women Owned Business with the State of Wisconsin DOA

• SBE registered (By Federal Size Standards, NAICS and registered in SAM)

• Minority Owned Business (not certified with the State of Wisconsin DOA)

• Women Owned Business (not certified with the State of Wisconsin DOA)

Note that TBE participation is a goal, not a requirement. While we gather this information, it will not be a consideration in the EOI review process. We will consider all agencies that meet the service requirements.

Q6. These questions below are derived from the program/service description on page 10 that states desired services in a few different areas of focus.

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/DHS%2036.10(2)(g)1.

https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/document/administrativecode/DHS%2036.10(2)(g)8.

What kind of documentation are you looking for in terms of the documented focus for psychotherapy that the program is looking to bring in? Is client history documentation and/or our LPC licensure sufficient or enough?

For example, two providers on this team provide certified play therapy but do not have a certificate in that area of focus but can confidently provide that area of focus to the population of CCS youth and adults with 3 or more years of service.

Additionally, another provider utilizes trauma focused- CBT and supports sexual abuse population(s), provided services to sexual abuse survivors (currently) and, individuals with eating disorders. This provider is enrolled in many of the areas listed for their CEUs licensing renewal requirements for this current year to completed.

All three providers support and work within the LGBTQIA+ community and population as well.

A6. We are looking specifically for what additional training, education obtainment or completion of certificate programs related to these specific therapy focuses. If a provider is working under other agencies and a letter of reference can reflect the work that they are doing that will be considered.

Q7. We are currently a contractor for a CCS agency. Just wanted to confirm we will need to go through this same process to get our own contract, correct?

A7. Yes, you would go through the EOI process to get your own contract.

Q8. For the peer support service, is that specifically CPS or can it also be somebody that's doing daily living skills?

A8. They need to be Certified Peer Specialists with the state of Wisconsin to provide peer support service.

Q9. What are the requirements for someone that's non bachelor’d like with a CPS?

Do they have to have some amount of experience?

A9. DHS 36 does state anybody that is non bachelor'd, which would be the rehab worker or the peer support specialist, has to do a training addendum. There are specific trainings that they are required to have prior to being impaneled.

Per DHS 36.10 Personnel policies.

“A rehabilitation worker, meaning a staff person working under the direction of a licensed mental health professional or substance abuse professional in the implementation of rehabilitative mental health, substance use disorder services as identified in the consumer’s individual treatment plan who is at least 18 years old shall have successfully completed 30 hours of training during the past two years in recovery concepts, consumer rights, consumer-centered individual treatment planning, mental illness, co-occurring mental illness and substance abuse, psychotropic medications and side effects, functional assessment, local community resources, adult vulnerability, and consumer confidentiality.”

Q10. Under the psychotherapy code or service, what are you looking for in terms of documentation, especially with an underserved population? Education, certifications or training hours, or?

A10. Training is important, and documented experience working with a certain population. We are really looking for people who are experts in specific areas, not just those who dabble in everything.

Q11. In terms of the Reference Letters, who would you like those to come from?

A11. There may be other funders who have funded your services who can comment on your agency, or perhaps other agencies you have collaborated with who have knowledge of your services.

Q12. In terms of training requirements, we have had training in another County, but I see there is a 90 day lookback when starting to provide service for Milwaukee County. Can you comment on training?

A12. In terms of the 20 to 40 hours that are required for the DHS 36 contract., the requirement will be added when the person is impaneled (that's their start date). Training can look forward 90 days or we can use some of those trainings that were within the last 90 days. Note that there are some very specific trainings that Milwaukee County mandates.

Q13. The EOI says something about access to synthesis or avatar. Is that something that will come later or we should know now?

A13. Later, after a contract has been issued.

Q14. We currently provide psychotherapy at our agency, but I see y'all, you know, you're looking for eating disorders, EMDR, things like that. Does that mean we have to apply to have an EMDR and eating disorders and trauma Focus since we already just do psychotherapy in general?

A14. If you are already contracted to provider Psychotherapy within Milwaukee County CCS

Program, you do not need to apply through the EOI process to provide therapy through the focused areas that were listed. If you have current staff that are trained in any of those focus area, please with the CCS County team.

Q15. For the trauma focused CBT, I have a trauma certificate through my master's program, I got the trauma informed care certificate and we also took a full semester of CBT that had a trauma informed focus. Would that be considered enough documentation to provide that service? And if yes, do I have to then only provide that type of service or can I still provide other types of psychotherapy?

A15. In terms of straight psychotherapy, that would be sufficient documentation.

Q16. In terms of play therapy, I actually am working on trying to get some CEUs in the play therapy arena, but it's not like an actual Certificate that you can get as far as I know. it's more like you know, you're gonna take those continuing Ed classes and things like that. I already have almost four years in CCS working with primarily kids that you could see on my roster. Is that enough to show that I have that experience and can continue to provide that service, or do you need a certificate?

A16. If you have proof of the CEUs, that is helpful, as is the pertinent experience. Even an agenda or curriculum from the training can be helpful.

Q17. Can I provide services while located in Mequon?

A17. There is not a requirement that you be located in Milwaukee County. The only thing that it does effect is travel specifically: if you are traveling, we do have a policy that you can only bill Medicaid for travel within Milwaukee County.

Q18. I have extensive training in DBT - did practicum at DBT certified clinic from practicum, supervised work by DBT trained psychologists, clinic director at current clinic is currently working becoming certified DBT clinician. Is that sufficient documentation for providing this service?

A18. A letter from someone where you did your DBT training would be helpful.

Q19. I have done some training in TF-CBT, but it didn’t result in a certificate or anything. Can that count for training?

A19. Yes, again certificates are helpful, as is an agenda or curriculum showing what was discussed.

Q20. I can apply as just an individual clinician, correct? I don't necessarily have to have other clinicians who apply alongside with me. Is that accurate?

A20. You have to identify a second provider. However, they don't necessarily have to be an employee of yours, rather they can be an independent contractor. But there does have to be some sort of backup coverage.

Q21. Can that second provider on the contract be the clinical supervisor that is subcontracted, or does it have to be a direct service professional that's also able to provide services?

A21. Yes that person can be someone that is subcontracted.

Q22. Does the name of the clinical supervisor need to be submitted at the time of EOI application? Does the clinical supervisor have to be on staff or can it be a contractor?

A22. Clinical supervision to your staff that is required under DHS 36 can be contracted. If you know the name of the person who will serve as clinical supervisor, please include that on Question 15 of the EOI Questionnaire.

Q23. Would you consider nature based therapy, like nature based Wellness therapy?

A23. We don’t currently have a code for that, except under wellness management, and are not looking to add any providers for that at this time. It may be open in the future through an EOI process.

Q24. We provide services in the community, also telehealth. Is that permitted?

A24. Telehealth services need to follow the specific ForwardHealth guidelines on telehealth services. Most of our other services focus on connecting people within the community, but typically psychotherapy services are provided at an office space or via telehealth.

Q25. We would like to collaborate with an agency that exclusively serves the Native American population, could we work with them to provide services?

A25. The agency that would hold the Fee For Service Agreement would be responsible for any subcontracted services provided under their agreement. However, we do encourage agencies to work together to extend the reach of CCS services.

Q26. If we have Spanish-speaking providers, can we apply for services to serve that part of the underserved groups?

A26. We are looking for agencies that have a focus and mission for the population they serve.

Hiring is important but we are also looking at whether the agency’s mission and vision is to serve that population group.

Q27. Are the rates that are listed negotiable?

A27. No, the listed rates are set and not negotiable.

Q28. Does the agency need to have three years’ experience for the second part of services on page 10 of the EOI, or can that apply to the staff persons’ experience?

A28. We are looking at the years of experience that the agency has in providing services to an underserved population, as well as the commitment the agency has as stated in their mission and focus to serve those populations. This applies only to the second portion of services to underserved populations. Future EOIs may not have the requirement for 3 years’ experience for agencies, but this opportunity does.

Q29. How do we tell you the amount of experience and training individual employees of our agency has?

A29. Please include that information in Question 9 of the EOI Questionnaire.

Q30. After we submit the materials for the EOI, what are the next steps?

A30. EOI submissions will be reviewed by staff for compliance with the contents of the EOI, and then by the Recovery Advisory Committee. Actual time needed for those two steps will be dependent on the number of submissions received. There may also be brief interviews.

Larger contracts will need to be approved by the Mental Health Board at their Dec. 11 meeting, and then contracts would need to be issued. The process could run into the first quarter of 2026.

Q31. How is the match made between participants and agencies?

A31. Agency staff are impaneled and approved to provide services and then entered into the CCS Provider Directory. CCS Care Coordinators use the provider directory to determine who is open to provide services. Providers may be open, not open or wait listing people at any point in time. Care coordinators then work with participants to find a service provider they are comfortable with. A referral will then go to the agency for review.

Q32. Regarding the reference requirements for the application, could you please advise on the preferred format—should references be submitted as names and contact information, or are formal written letters required? Additionally, how many references should be provided?

A32. Please have a formal written letter from the person and/or Agency. We are asking for 2 reference Letters

Q33. In Item 26 Provider Service Site Information, do you want to know the number of participants we can serve in one day at the site in total for all programs or just for the programs that we are expressing interest in?

A33. Please provider information for the program/service you are expressing interest in.

Q34. I just want to clarify that the Aug. 5th deadline is only for questions about the EOI process and not necessarily the EOI Open Enrollment Questionnaire.

A34. The August 5 cutoff for questions are for program-related questions, which includes the EOI Questionnaire. Technical questions, such as related to Bonfire or problems with forms, can continue to be addressed directly to the contacts on the Information Summary Sheet.

Q35. In Item 26 Provider Service Site Information, my question is regarding the question:

"Describe differences in programs or services available at this site." Would you like all programs in the building or just the ones related to the programs we are expressing interest in?

A35. Please provide information about all the programs within the building.