DHS local offices often use private contractors to deliver counseling services to eligible clients. A referral cannot be made to a counselor unless the counselor has a fully executed contract with DHS.

Various criteria (ie: education, insurance, local DHS need, etc.) must be met before a counselor will be approved for a contract. Along with documentation of education and insurance, OCRS must receive approval from one or more DHS county offices that they have a need for additional service providers and are interested in having a new contract developed with you or your agency. Please contact the contract administrators in the local DHS offices you are interested in serving. If they are interested in obtaining an additional counseling provider, they will notify OCRS and you will be forwarded an application to complete.

Effective April 1, 2004, all applicants for counseling (COUN) contracts (whether as a contractor or subcontractor) are required to obtain two additional clearances prior to contract approval. They are:

1. A Central Registry (CR) clearance must be received from the local DHS office for each individual to provide services under the contract. This clearance is from the Child Abuse and Neglect registry for the State of Michigan. In order to be eligible for a contract, the name of the intended contractor must not appear on this listing.
2. A National Child Protection Act (NCPA) clearance must be received for each individual to provide services under the contract. This clearance is through a fingerprint process. Please see below for instructions:
   1. Applicants need to call 1-866-226-2952 to set up an appointment. Applicants may access the Integrated Biometric Technology (IBT) web site at www.mi.ibtfingerprint.com. 
   2. IBT will provide the applicant with a date and location closest to the applicant within 10 business days. The appointment must be within a 50-mile radius of each applicant.
   3. The applicant completes the Applicant Information portion on the enclosed Livescan Fingerprint Request Form. The form and payment must be brought to the appointment. All fees involved in this total process are the responsibility of the applicant. As of August 2005 the fees are: $54 (NCPA clearance) + $16 (Livescan fee) = $70. Please make check payable to IBT.
   4. IBT will capture the fingerprints and personal information and transmit the data to the State Police.
   5. The State Police will perform the check on the state database and forward the check to the FBI. It will mail the combined printed responses to the requesting agency, usually within five business days. At no time will IBT have access to criminal records.

Applicants will be notified if a criminal record is identified and the contract/subcontract will be denied. Applicants may appeal the denial of a contract/subcontract by following the steps below:

1. Submit a letter to the Director of OCRS identifying the reason why the denial should be over-turned and provide any documentation as appropriate.
2. The appeal letter will be forwarded within DHS for review.
3. A letter with the final decision will be sent as soon as a determination is made.

A contract may offer services in one or more counseling categories. See the Descriptions of Services for more information.

A copy of the application can be printed out or a form may be obtained by writing to the DHS Office of Contracts and Rate Setting, 235 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1201, Lansing, MI 48909 or calling 517-335-6366.