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Learn More About Becoming a Counseling Contractor
Becoming a counseling contractor for the Michigan Department of Human Services (DHS) involves the submission of an application and supporting documents to the DHS Bureau of Child Welfare (BCW). 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, BCW 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. To get prior authorization to become a contracted counselor.
Along with the completed application, the following items must be received for any individual providing services under the contract before the contract can be processed:
- Proof of Master's degree (or higher)
- Proof of Master's level license from the State of Michigan to provide counseling services
- Proof of individual social security number
- Proof of liability insurance (either individual or agency policy)
- Central Registry clearance results*
- NCPA clearance results*
*Effective April 1, 2004, all applicants for counseling (COUN) contracts (whether as a contractor or subcontractor) are required to obtain the two clearances noted below prior to contract approval or being added to a contract. They are:
- Central Registry (CR) clearance - This clearance is from the Child Abuse and Neglect registry for the State of Michigan. It is requested from and completed by the local DHS office. Results are only released to the individual requesting the information. In order to be eligible for the contract, the name of the intended provider must not appear on this listing.
- National Child Protection Act (NCPA) clearance - This must be received for each individual who will be providing services under the contract. This is both a state and federal clearance and is completed through a fingerprint scan. Information and instructions for the two agencies providing this service are listed below. Our agency ID# must be used in order for us to be able to access the results. The required form is available on the DHS website. Locations for scanning are available on their websites.
The contract is simply an authorization to the local DHS office to refer a client to the contractor for psychological counseling and authorization to the contractor to bill DHS for services delivered. The contract does not guarantee that a referral will ever be made to a counselor.
A contract may offer services in one or more counseling categories. Contractors may not provide services under multiple contracts. See the Descriptions of Services for more information.
A copy of the application can be printed out for completion or a packet may be obtained by writing to the DHS Bureau of Chile Welfare, 235 S. Grand Avenue, Suite 514, Lansing, MI 48909 or calling 517-335-6869.
Cogent Systems
All applicants must be registered for fingerprinting, have their fingerprinting payment type determined and possess a unique confirmation/registration number prior to travelling to a fingerprinting location. An appointment is not needed.
Information is available at www.cogentid.com
- Select Michigan
- Select Cogent MAPS (Michigan Applicant Processing Service)
The Applicant Processing Service page provides information on fees, locations and hours. Registration can also be done from this page.
To register online:
- Select Register Online
- Complete application
- Payment type - select credit card or money order only. All applicants will make payment decision during registration. Payment may be credit/debit card. Money order or cashier check ONLY should be made out to COGENT SYSTEMS and brought to the fingerprint site. All fees involved in this total process are the responsibility of the applicant.
- Reason - MUST BE CPE (NCPA/VCA - National Child Protection Act). You MUST take the Livescan Request Form with you to the site.
- Agency ID: 9533J
Upon completion of the application, you will receive a UNIQUE CODE (Registration ID). This code MUST be brought to the fingerprint site with a valid form of picture ID to conduct the fingerprinting.
Once at the site, your Registration ID will be used to gather your registration information. This information MUST match the information included on your valid picture ID. You will not be able to be scanned unless this information matches.
Please take extra care while entering your information. Scans that are completed for the wrong reason would have to be re-done - at an additional cost. Please make sure you select CPE-NCPA/VCA - National Child Protection Act as the reason for the scan. Scans that are completed using an incorrect MSP Agency ID cannot be accessed by this office. The scan would have to be re-done - at an additional cost.
Registration can also be done by calling 1-877-838-4903.
L-1 Identity Solutions
Applicants may set an appointment online at www.ibtfingerprint.com
- Select Michigan
- Locations can be found by area. Select site and time.
- Complete registration form
Applicants may also call 1-866-226-2952 to set up an appointment. L-1 Identity Solutions will provide the applicant with a date and location closest to the applicant within 10 business days.
The applicant completes the Applicant Information portion on the Livescan Fingerprint Request Form. The form and payment need to be brought to the appointment.
At no time will Cogent Systems or L-1 Identity Solutions 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:
- Submit a letter to the Director of BCW identifying the reason why the denial should be over-turned and provide any documentation as appropriate.
- The appeal letter will be forwarded within DHS for review.
- A letter with the final decision will be sent as soon as a determination is made.
Related Documents> DHS - Counseling Application - 35648 bytes  > DHS Livescan Fingerprint Request Form - 90200 bytes
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