The Rehabilitation Review Process

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In order to begin the rehabilitation review process, the applicant must submit a Rehabilitation Review Application. Applications can be found under the forms section of this page. Applicants may also request an application by contacting the Rehabilitation Review Coordinator at 608-422-7041 or DCFMBRehab@wisconsin.gov.

Please submit an application to the proper entity:

  • Submit the DCF application only if interested in working with children. The application may be emailed to DCFMBRehab@wisconsin.gov or mailed to the address on page 9 of the application.
  • If the applicant is interested in working with adults, they will need to contact the Department of Health Services (DHS) to learn more about their rehabilitation review process. This information is available on the DHS website.

DCF will appoint a rehabilitation review panel once the application and all the requested documents are received. The application will be denied if all requested documents are not provided within 90 days. The panel may also request information from other agencies or people who are familiar with the applicant.

A rehabilitation review meeting will be scheduled after the panel receives all requested information. The applicant will receive notice of the date, time, and location of the meeting by email or mail.

The applicant is not required to appear at the rehabilitation review meeting, but it is recommended that the applicant attends.  At this meeting, the applicant will have the opportunity to answer questions from the panel. The applicant must provide evidence to convince the panel that the applicant has been rehabilitated.

The panel will make a decision whether the applicant is present at the meeting or not. If the panel decides it does not have enough information to make a decision, it may defer a final decision for up to six months. The applicant will receive the panel's decision in the mail. The panel's decision may be a rehabilitation approval, denial or deferral.

Approval

The rehabilitation review panel may approve the rehabilitation review in whole or with limitations/conditions.

Approval applies only to the specific program(s) the panel indicates in its decision. An approval does not ensure that the applicant will be hired by, receive permission to live at, or be licensed or certified by an entity. If a person fails to meet any of the conditions/limitations of the person’s approval, the approval may be withdrawn.

Denial

If the panel does not find enough evidence of rehabilitation, it will deny the applicant's request. The panel will provide its reasons for denial in writing and inform the applicant of the right to appeal the decision.

If the applicant wants to appeal the panel’s denial, the applicant must submit an appeal request in writing within 10 days of the decision. A person who appeals will bear the burden of proving that the agency abused its discretion in the decision making process.

The applicant is not allowed to apply again for the same or similar reason for one year from the date of denial. This one year period applies even if the denial was for failure to submit all documentation.

Deferral

A decision may be deferred up to six months. This is to allow the applicant time to gather more information, complete training/counseling or for other reasons requested by the panel.