Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP)

What is QRTP?

Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP) are designed for youth with serious mental health or behavioral needs. In Wisconsin, QRTP placements will be utilized only when children and youth cannot receive the appropriate services in their home of origin, or another home-like setting. On October 1, facilities can apply to become certified. The QRTP implementation team created a video to help explain the details and qualification of QRTP certification. For continual updates on QRTP and Family First topics, subscribe to the Family First Newsletter for monthly updates.

QRTP Rule

The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 significantly changes the ways in which states may use federal funds for child welfare services, including new restrictions on federal reimbursement of state expenditures for the care and maintenance of children who are placed in congregate care settings.

Effective September 29, 2021, federal payments for the care and maintenance of a child placed in a residential care center for children and youth, group home, or shelter care facility, will only be available for 2 weeks, unless the child is placed in a qualified residential treatment program or other federally-authorized treatment program. The requirements of a qualified residential treatment program are specified in 42 USC 672 (k) (4). The emergency rule provides the requirements that a congregate care facility must meet to be certified to operate a qualified residential treatment program (QRTP).

Certification

Licensed group homes and Residential Care Centers (RCC’s) can now apply for certification. Certification will comply with the requirements set forth by the federal government. Facilities will be able to apply for certification through their Child Welfare Licensing Specialist. To apply for QRTP continuation, providers can complete the Qualified Residential Treatment Program Continuation Application. certification logo

Providers that become certified as QRTP must also provide information related to the definition of institutions for mental disease (IMD) under the Department of Health Services (DHS) definition. When applying for QRTP certification, the provider must also complete the DHS form related to IMD status.

For providers looking to become certified, view the most recent QRTP Certification Grid.

For child welfare agencies doing casework and looking for ongoing standards and changes, please review the FFPSA Crosswalk.

QRTP Applicants

We would like to recognize and extend our thanks to the providers listed below who have submitted their application to be certified as a Qualified Residential Treatment Facility (QRTP) demonstrating their commitment to quality youth services. This list will be updated regularly with new applicants and approvals.

QRTP Certified
Facility Facility Type Status Date
Anders Develop and Transition Home, LLC GH Approved 2/2023
Bella's Group Home GH Approved 10/2022
Chileda Institute, Inc  RCC Approved 3/2022
Courage House GH Approved 2/2022
Devoted Hearts GH Approved 10/2022
Family Services of Northeast WI RCC Approved 1/2022
Forward Home for Boys LLC GH Approved 8/2024
Forward West GH Approved 8/2024
Grateful Girls Safe Haven GH Approved 10/2022
Grateful Girls Safe Haven II GH Approved 10/2022
Home Four the Heart, Inc. GH Approved 9/2023
Home Four the Heart, Inc. Site Two GH Approved 9/2023
Home Four the Heart, Inc. Site Three GH Approved 9/2023
Homme Youth + Family Programs RCC Approved 4/2022
Hopgood Youth Home GH Pending 10/2022
House of Love and House of Love II GH Approved 8/2022
Inspiring Young Women GH Pending 11/2022
Lad Lake  RCC Approved 1/2022
Lad Lake St. Rose Center GH Approved 1/2022
Men of Men GH Approved 5/2022
Men of Men II GH Approved 5/2022
Moe's Transitional Living Center I GH Approved 8/2024
Moe's Transitional Living Center II GH Approved 8/2024
Moe's Transitional Living Center III GH Approved 8/2024
New Hope and Destiny Home II GH Approved 10/2024
Next Chapter Living Center I GH Approved 04/2026
Next Chapter Living Center II GH Approved 04/2026
Northwest Passage Prairie View RCC Approved 11/2021
Northwest Passage Riverside RCC Approved 11/2021
One-Nine Youth and Family Services GH Approved 4/2023
Positive Alternatives - Amery GH Approved 12/2021
Positive Alternatives - Marathon GH Approved 12/2021
Positive Alternatives - Menomonie GH Approved 12/2021
Positive Alternatives - River Falls GH Approved 12/2021
Positive Alternatives - Winnebago County GH Approved 3/2025
Positive Alternatives - Wisconsin Rapids GH Approved 12/2021
Rawhide Inc. RCC Approved 12/2021
Rawhide Group Foster Home GH Approved 12/2021
Rawhide Youth Home at Peshtigo GH Approved 12/2022
Revive Transitional Living Center Site 1 GH Approved  3/2022
Revive Transitional Living Center Site 2 GH Approved 3/2022
Revive Youth and Family Center Site 1 GH Approved 3/2022
Revive Youth and Family Center Site 2 GH Approved 3/2022
River Bend Place RCC Approved 4/2023
River's Edge Campus RCC Approved 4/2023
St. Charles Youth & Family Services RCC Approved 4/2022
Tomorrow's Children RCC Approved 4/2022
Wisconsin Community Services - Bakari Center RCC Approved 12/2022

Training

  1. A new e-learning activity for QRTP has been released on the CCIP training website. For information on QRTP and how to implement requirements of QRTP, visit the Qualified Residential Treatment Program training.
  2. Family First Prevention Services Training Meeting slide deck for child welfare professionals is now available in the YouTube link below.

Resources

Training sessions kicked off QRTP in Fall 2021 and multiple tools are available now to assist in navigating the QRTP changes and updates. For additional questions, please reach out to FamilyFirst@wisconsin.gov.

  1. Additional Supplemental notes address changes in eWiSACWIS.
  2. The new QRTP digital desk guide is now available for child welfare professionals.
  3. Post Town Hall Meeting questions are available in the QRTP Questions pdf.
  4. The benefits of why QRTP is needed is available in a 1-page PDF QRTP Certification Benefits
  5. The QRTP nurse hotline information is available.
  6. How QRTPs impact congregate care

Updates will continue to be made here for QRTP application updates, available training sessions and changes in eWiSACWIS.