Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Early Care Regulation
Child Care Licensing Procedure Manual
At the end of the investigation, the licensing specialist must reach one of the following two possible findings:
The complaint is substantiated: Based on the complaint investigation, a rule violation related to the complaint allegation(s) will be issued.
The complaint is unsubstantiated: Based on the complaint investigation, a rule violation related to the complaint allegation(s) will not be issued.
If other violations, not related to the original complaint allegations, are observed and cited in the course of the investigation, but no rule violations related to the original complaint allegations will be issued, the complaint is unsubstantiated. In this case, a Noncompliance Statement and Correction Plan (CFS-294) is issued. The licensing specialist may indicate to the licensee at the exit interview or by phone that the complaint is unsubstantiated but other rule violations, not related to the complaint, were observed and cited.
In rare situations, the licensing specialist may determine that the complaint, whether valid or not, does not involve a licensing requirement. This conclusion is usually sufficiently obvious at the point of intake so that no investigation is required. In those situations when the investigation is conducted, and the allegation does not relate to a specific licensing rule or is referred to another agency for follow up, this should be noted in the Child Care Complaint/Incident Findings form, CFS-321-B.
Once a determination has been made, the complaint should be closed in WISCCRS. The licensing specialist can later amend the closed complaint and add any updates or additional information if necessary.
The licensee should be informed of the complaint results either during the exit interview or by phone following completion of the investigation. If requested, the complainant may also be informed of the complaint investigation results by phone. If written results are requested by the complainant or licensee, the licensing specialist may send the Complaint Investigation Summary Letter (available on the BECR Intranet) which describes the investigation findings.
This page last updated 01/2017.