Client Rights Office
We provide guidance to people who are receiving services for a developmental disability, mental health, or substance use—in both inpatient and outpatient settings.
That includes:
- Adult family homes and clinics.
- Community and state-run facilities.
- Group homes.
We do not serve people in prison or who need emergency room care. Or people receiving treatment from a clinic run by one person.
Focus areas
Our work covers these main areas:
Promoting rights of people receiving services
Our staff keeps track of changes in rights laws and rules. We recommend changes when appropriate.
Learn about rights of people receiving our services
Consulting on rights when receiving services
We help people receiving services understand their rights.
That includes:
- Advocates.
- Family members.
- Policymakers.
- Service providers.
Learn who to contact if you have a question about rights
Reviewing grievances
The state grievance examiner is on the Client Rights Office staff. The examiner reviews appealed community service complaints. And complaints about the grievance procedure itself.
In addition, our staff reviews appealed complaints from facilities managed by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.
Learn about the complaint process
Approving research
Our staff reviews and approves research proposals that involve those we serve.
Learn more about research approval
Laws and codes
- Wis. Stat. § 51.30—Records
- Wis. Stat. § 51.61—Patient Rights
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 92—Confidentiality of Treatment of Records
- Wis. Admin. Code ch. DHS 94—Patient Rights and Resolution of Patient Grievances
Contact information
To contact the Client Rights Office by email, send a message to: DHSDCTSCRO@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
To contact the Client Rights Office by mail, send a letter to:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Client Rights Office
PO Box 7851
Madison, WI 53707-7851
The Client Rights Office is part of the Division of Care and Treatment Services.