History and Leadership of BCI

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Behavioral Consultants, Inc. (BCI) was founded in 1984 as a private mental health clinic committed to providing a range of high-quality clinical and forensic services throughout southeastern Wisconsin.  While the scope of our services has changed and expanded over the years, we remain committed to our original mission:  providing high-quality, cost-effective mental health services to the public and private sector mental health communities of Milwaukee and greater Wisconsin.

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Initially, our services, tailored for children, adolescents, adults, and families included:

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• Mental health, addiction, and consulting services

• Crisis intervention, solution-focused therapy and counseling

• Addiction screenings and assessments, treatment, and drug screening

• Initial assessments

• Consulting and referrals

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Transition and Expansion of Services

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Though originally BCI services focused on clinical assessment and outpatient mental health treatment, the expertise of professional staff gradually expanded to include providing a variety of specialized forensic mental health evaluations.  For the past 20 years, BCI clinicians have provided a range of types of court-ordered and privately retained custody and criminal forensic evaluations of adults and juveniles. 

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In 2001, BCI was awarded a contract by the Wisconsin State Department of Health Services (DHS) to provide outpatient competency to stand trial examinations of adult defendants in identified regions throughout the state.  With this contract, a new division of BCI was established:  The Wisconsin Forensic Unit (WFU).  

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BCI services expanded again in 2008 when the company was awarded a contract through DHS to pilot a competency restoration program for adult defendants adjudicated incompetent to proceed though likely to be restored within the permissible time frame.  With this contract, the newest division of BCI was established:  The Outpatient Competency Restoration Program (OCRP).

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In approximately 2008, BCI again expanded to include the Juvenile Forensic Unit through which professionals receive court-ordered and private referrals to conduct a range of juvenile forensic evaluations in addition to individualized juvenile competency restoration services.

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The Next Chapter

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Dr. Deborah Collins, PsyD., ABPP assumed the position of President in August, 2010.  Today BCI remains committed to its original mission though with a sharper focus on meeting the contemporary challenges of delivering high-quality, comprehensive, ethically sound and cost-effective forensic mental health evaluations through its division, WFU, and clinical forensic services through OCRP. 

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Additionally, BCI staff members specialize in conducting a range of forensic mental health examinations for courts and attorneys and in doing so expand the professional services available through the clinic.  BCI professionals are routinely sought for their expertise in providing education, supervision and consultation services to students, professionals and the legal communities of Milwaukee and greater Wisconsin.

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Who We Are

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Behavioral Consultants, Inc. now maintains four distinct divisions that each provide a variety of services. These entities include the BCI Clinic, Wisconsin Forensic Unit, the Outpatient Competency Restoration Program, and the Juvenile Forensic Unit.

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WFU – The Wisconsin Forensic Unit (WFU) was formed in 2001 in contract with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) to conduct outpatient competency to proceed evaluations of adult defendants throughout Wisconsin’s 72 counties.  WFU examiners, psychologists and psychiatrists perform these focused forensic mental health evaluations, providing the Courts with thorough, quality, and timely reports centered on the psycho-legal issue of competency to proceed.

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BCI Clinic – BCI clinic consists in a group of psychologists and mental health providers who provide collectively a diverse range of forensic examinations and services throughout Wisconsin.  Areas of specialty include examinations focused on issues such as:  disability, guardianship/protective placement, fitness for duty, mental responsibility, sentencing mitigation, Miranda waiver, waiver/”reverse” waiver, violence risk assessment, etc.  Through its clinic, BCI maintains a wealth of expertise in the field of forensic psychology.

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OCRP – The Outpatient Competency Restoration Program (OCRP) screens and assesses individuals for their clinical appropriateness regarding involvement in the program.  Changes in statutory language made under WSS 971.14(5) was included in the 2007-2009 budget bill, Wisconsin Act 20, that allowed defendants, once committed, to be treated for competency restoration on an outpatient basis if deemed appropriate by the Department of Health Services (DHS).  Following this approval, the OCRP was established to provide this service, and the Clinical Director of OCRP was authorized by DHS to determine which defendants are appropriate for outpatient competency restoration. 

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Juvenile Competency – Juveniles adjudicated not competent to proceed can be referred by the Courts in Southeastern Wisconsin for outpatient remediation services. Remediation services are aimed at improving the juvenile’s knowledge of courtroom processes as well as their ability to function as the defendant within the system toward the optimal outcome of their alleged delinquent act.

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What You Can Expect

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If you are looking for an expert, count on that expert to be well qualified and trained in order to provide a well-founded, comprehensive though focused assessment and cogent communication of evaluation findings – both in the written work product and/or courtroom testimony. BCI staff bring the following demonstrated characteristics to service delivery:

 

• Training and expertise in their respective fields

• Dedication to uphold the highest administrative and legal standards

• Credentialed professionals, with strong attention to detail

• Individuals who possess integrity, compassion, and a desire to serve 

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Our Locations

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BCI offices are in downtown Milwaukee located a short distance from the interstate and major bus lines.  Click here for more information.