reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 54 - Child-Placing Agencies › Section DCF 54.11 - Extraordinary payments

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) A licensee may request that a Wisconsin
				public purchaser pay an extraordinary payment in addition to the rate
				established under ss.
				DCF 54.07 to
				54.10 for a specific child in care.
(2) A licensee may request and a Wisconsin
				public purchaser may approve a child-specific extraordinary payment if all of
				the following conditions are met:
(a) The
				child has service needs that are not accounted for in the maximum per client
				administrative rate for the child-placing agency as determined under s.
				DCF
				54.09(5) or 54.10, as
				applicable.
(b) The child's service
				needs are not paid for by another source.
(c) The extraordinary payment will be used to
				cover expenses that are an allowable cost under s.
				DCF
				54.09.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 54 - Child-Placing Agencies › Section DCF 54.12 - Advisory committee

Current through June 24, 2024
The department shall convene the rate regulation advisory
				  committee under s.
				  49.343(5),
				  Stats., at regular intervals to consult with the department on items in s.
				  49.343(5)
				  (a) to (c), Stats.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 54 - Child-Placing Agencies › Appendix A - Field Offices Of The Department Of Children And Families

Current through June 24, 2024
The Department of Children and Families licenses group homes
				  for children and youth through field offices. The addresses and phone numbers
				  of the field offices are below.
Central Office
(Madison)
201 W. Washington Ave.
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 422-6936
Northeastern Office
(Green Bay)
200 North Jefferson Street, Suite 411
Green Bay, WI 54301
(920) 785-7826
Southeastern Office
(Waukesha)
141 N.W. Barstow Street, Room 104
Waukesha, WI 53188
(262) 446-7864
Western Office
(Eau Claire)
610 Gibson Street, Suite #2
Eau Claire, WI 54701
(715) 930-1133
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.01 - Authority and purpose

Current through June 24, 2024
This chapter specifies procedures for agencies to provide
				  subsidized guardianship payments under s.
				  48.623,
				  Stats., or a subsidized guardianship agreement entered into under s.
				  48.62(5),
				  2009 Stats., to support legal permanence for care of children in any of the
				  following:
(1) Guardianships under s.
				48.977,
				Stats.
(2) Guardianships under a
				Wisconsin tribal law that is substantially similar to s.
				48.977,
				Stats., and as provided for in an agreement that includes the purpose of making
				subsidized guardianship payments to a guardian of an Indian child and that is
				made between a tribe and a county or, in a county having a population of
				750,000 or more, between a tribe and the department.
Before July 1, 2011, the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare
					 administered a subsidized guardianship demonstration project that was
					 authorized by a federal waiver and s.
					 48.62(5),
					 2009 Stats.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.02 - Definitions

Current through June 24, 2024
In this chapter:
(1)
				"Agency" means a county department of social services under s.
				46.22,
				Stats.; a county department of human services under s.
				46.23,
				Stats.; or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the
				department.
(2) "Background
				information disclosure" means the form prescribed by the department on which a
				person provides information for purposes of the background check under s.
				48.685,
				Stats.
Note:
Form DCF-F-2978-E,
Background
				  Information Disclosure
, is available in the forms section of the
				  department website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or by writing to the Division of
				  Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison WI 53708-8916.
(3) "Child" means a person less than 18 years
				of age, except as provided in s. DCF 55.10 (4).
(4) "Department" means the department of
				children and families.
(5)
				"Division of hearings and appeals" means a division in the department of
				administration.
(5m) "Final
				substantiated finding" means all of the following:
(a) A final determination made after January
				1, 2015, that a person has abused or neglected a child under s.
				48.981(3)
				(c) 5m, Stats., and s. DCF 40.04 if the final
				determination has not been reversed or modified on appeal.
(b) A determination made before January 1,
				2015, that a person has abused or neglected a child under s.
				48.981(3)
				(c) 4, Stats., if the determination has not
				been reversed or modified on appeal.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.03 - Eligibility

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) CHILD AND GUARDIAN. An agency shall
				provide monthly subsidized guardianship payments to a guardian of a child under
				s.
				48.977(2),
				Stats., or under a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law and an agreement
				specified in s. DCF 55.01 (2), if the agency determines that all of the
				following apply:
(a) The child meets all of
				the following conditions:
1. The child has
				been removed from the child's home under any of the following:
a. A voluntary agreement under s.
				48.63,
				Stats., or a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law.
b. A Wisconsin court order or a substantially
				similar Wisconsin tribal court order containing a finding that continued
				placement of the child in the child's home would be contrary to the welfare of
				the child.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.04 - Procedure to inform prospective guardians

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) An agency shall
				explain to each foster parent who is a relative of or like-kin to a foster
				child for whom the foster parent is providing care and maintenance the foster
				parent's eligibility for services and the expectations involved with the
				following permanency options for the child:
(a) Adoption with adoption assistance under
				s.
				48.975,
				Stats., and ch. DCF 50.
(b)
				Guardianship under s.
				48.977,
				Stats., with subsidized guardianship payments under s.
				48.623,
				Stats., and this chapter.
(c)
				Guardianship under s.
				48.977,
				Stats., with long-term kinship care payments under s.
				48.57(3n),
				Stats., and ch. DCF 58.
(d)
				Guardianship under s.
				48.9795,
				Stats.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.05 - Eligibility determination and documentation in child's permanency plan

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) For a child whose permanency plan will
				include placement with a guardian and the receipt of subsidized guardianship
				payments, an agency shall provide a description of all of the following on a
				form prescribed by the department:
(a) The
				efforts that the agency has made to return the child to the child's home and
				the reasons the agency has determined that return to the home is not in the
				child's best interests.
(b) The
				steps the agency has taken to determine that adoption is not in the child's
				best interests and the reasons why adoption is not being pursued, including the
				efforts the agency has made to discuss adoption by the prospective guardian as
				a more permanent alternative to guardianship and documentation of the reasons
				the prospective guardian has chosen not to pursue adoption.
(c) Reasons a permanent placement with a
				subsidized guardianship arrangement is in the child's best interests, including
				the ability of the prospective guardian to manage the child's relationship with
				the child's parents.
(d) If the
				child is an Indian child, a description of how the guardianship meets the
				requirements for placement preferences under s.
				48.028(7)
				(b), Stats., or if applicable, s.
				48.028(7)
				(c), Stats., unless good cause is determined
				under s.
				48.028(7)
				(e), Stats.
(e) The ways in which the eligibility
				requirements for subsidized guardianship payments under s. DCF 55.03 are
				met.
(f) Reasons for any separation
				of siblings during the placement with the guardian.
(g) The efforts made by the agency to discuss
				the subsidized guardianship arrangement with the child's parents or reasons why
				efforts were not made.
Note:
Form DCF-F-2691,
Subsidized
				  Guardianship Eligibility Determination and Permanency Plan Addendum
,
				  is available in eWiSACWIS, the child welfare automation system, or by writing
				  to the Division of Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison WI
				  53708-8916.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.07 - Amount of monthly payment

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) AMOUNT IN
				AGREEMENT. The amount of a subsidized guardianship payment shall be the amount
				in the initial subsidized guardianship agreement under s. DCF 55.06 or as
				adjusted by an amendment to the subsidized guardianship agreement signed by
				both the guardian and the agency under s. DCF 55.08.
(2) INITIAL AMOUNT.
(a)
1. The
				monthly subsidized guardianship payment amount in an initial subsidized
				guardianship agreement entered into on or after July 1, 2011, shall equal the
				amount of the monthly foster care payment received by the prospective guardian
				for the care of the child under s. DCF 56.23 in the month immediately preceding
				the month in which the guardianship is ordered.
2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., the monthly
				subsidized guardianship payment amount may be less than the amount under subd.
				1. if agreed to by the prospective guardian and specified in the subsidized
				guardianship agreement under s. DCF 55.06.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.08 - Amendment to adjust payment amount

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) SUBSTANTIAL
				CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES. In this section, "substantial change in circumstances"
				means that a documented change has occurred regarding the child in one or more
				areas of identified needs, including physical, behavioral, or emotional needs,
				that would result in a change in a supplemental payment determined under one of
				the following:
(a) For a subsidized
				guardianship agreement entered into before July 1, 2011, under s.
				48.62(5),
				2009 Stats., the amount determined under s.
				DCF
				55.09.
(b)
				For a subsidized guardianship agreement entered into on or after July 1, 2011,
				under s.
				48.623,
				Stats., the amount determined under s.
				DCF
				56.23(2) (a) if the child has needs
				that have been identified as moderate or intensive in the areas listed in s.
				DCF
				56.23(2) (a) 1. a. to e.
Note:
Under s.
				  DCF 55.07(3)
				  (b), a guardian who was a foster parent who
				  operated a Level 1 foster home on the date that the subsidized guardianship
				  agreement was signed is not eligible for an amendment to adjust the subsidized
				  guardianship payment amount.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.09 - Supplemental payments under subsidized guardianship agreements entered into before July 1, 2011

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) APPLICABILITY. This section applies to
				supplemental payments provided under subsidized guardianship agreements entered
				into before July 1, 2011, under s.
				48.62(5),
				2009 Stats.
Note: Subsidized guardianship agreements entered into before
				  July 1, 2011, were part of a subsidized guardianship demonstration project that
				  was administered by the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare and authorized by a
				  federal waiver and s.
				  48.62(5),
				  2009 Stats.
(2)
				SUPPLEMENTAL PAYMENTS.
(a) The agency may
				make supplemental payments to the guardian of a child in an amount to be
				determined by the agency if the child requires more than the usual amount of
				care and supervision for the child's age because of special emotional,
				behavioral or physical and personal needs.
(b) If a child does not exhibit
				characteristics commensurate with a moderate or intensive level of emotional,
				behavioral, or physical and personal special needs categories described in sub.
				(3), no supplemental payment may be made. If the child exhibits characteristics
				commensurate with in a moderate or intensive level of one or more of the
				emotional, behavioral, or physical and personal special need categories under
				sub. (3), a supplemental payment in an amount to be determined by the agency
				shall be paid.
(c) The agency shall
				document in the child's case record the characteristics of any selected level
				of care.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.10 - Review of eligibility for subsidized guardianship payments

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) CHANGES THAT
				MAY AFFECT ELIGIBILITY. To review a guardian and child's continued eligibility
				for monthly subsidized guardianship payments, an agency shall determine whether
				any of the following changes have occurred:
(a) There has been a change in the child's
				guardian.
(b) The child has entered
				the military.
(c) The child is
				married.
(d) The child is no longer
				living with the guardian.
(e) The
				child is deceased.
(f) The child
				has graduated, completed, or dropped out from a full-time, kindergarten to 12th
				grade educational program or its equivalent.
(g) The guardian is no longer supporting the
				child.
(h) The guardian's legal
				responsibility for the child has ended.
(i) The child has been placed outside the
				guardian's home at public expense.
(j) The child's parent is residing with the
				guardian and child.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.11 - Appeals

Current through June 24, 2024
(1)
(a) A
				person may petition the division of hearings and appeals under sub. (2) for a
				review of any of the following agency actions or failures to act:
1. The agency did not act promptly on a
				person's request for a determination of eligibility for subsidized guardianship
				payments under s. DCF 55.05 (3).
2.
				The agency denied a person's request for a determination of eligibility for
				subsidized guardianship payments under s. DCF 55.05 (3) on the grounds that a
				condition specified in s. DCF 55.03 has not been met.
3. Regarding an amendment under s. DCF 55.08,
				the agency did any of the following:
a. Denied
				a guardian's request for an amendment under s. DCF 55.08 (4) (f) or (5) (f) 1.
				c. and (g).
b. Approved a
				guardian's request for an amendment at an amount that is less than the amount
				that the guardian considers appropriate under s. DCF 55.08 (4) (f) or (5) (f)
				1. b.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.12 - Interim caretaker

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) ELIGIBILITY. Upon the death or incapacity
				of a guardian or upon the termination of a guardianship under s.
				48.977(7),
				Stats., or under a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law and an agreement
				specified in s. DCF 55.01 (2), the agency that has been providing subsidized
				guardianship payments to the guardian shall provide the subsidized guardianship
				payments to the interim caretaker if all of the following conditions are met:
(a) Pursuant to s.
				48.685,
				Stats., and s. DCF 55.13, the agency conducts a background investigation of the
				interim caretaker and any nonclient resident in the interim caretaker's home
				and determines that those individuals meet the requirements in s.
				48.685,
				Stats., and s. DCF 55.13.
(b) The
				agency inspects the home of the interim caretaker, interviews the interim
				caretaker, and determines that placement of the child with the interim
				caretaker is in the best interests of the child. In the case of an Indian
				child, the best interests of the Indian child shall be determined in accordance
				with s.
				48.01(2),
				Stats.
(c) The interim caretaker
				cooperates with the agency in finding a permanent placement for the child by
				either seeking to become the child's guardian or adoptive parent or assisting
				in finding other permanent resources for the child.
(d) If the agency knows or has reason to know
				that the child is an Indian child, the agency provides notice of the Indian
				child's placement in the home of the interim caretaker to the Indian child's
				parent, Indian custodian, and tribe and determines that the home of the interim
				caretaker complies with the order of placement preference under s.
				48.028(7)
				(b), Stats., or, if applicable, s.
				48.028(7)
				(c), Stats., unless agency finds good cause,
				as described in s.
				48.028(7)
				(e), Stats., for departing from that
				order.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.125 - Successor guardian

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) ELIGIBILITY. Upon the death or incapacity
				of a guardian who was receiving subsidized guardianship payments under s.
				48.623,
				Stats., and this chapter, the agency shall determine the eligibility of a
				person named as a prospective successor guardian in a subsidized guardianship
				agreement or amended subsidized guardianship agreement that was entered into
				before the death or incapacity of the guardian. A prospective successor
				guardian is eligible to enter into a new subsidized guardianship agreement with
				the agency if the agency determines all of the following apply:
(a) The prospective successor guardian
				demonstrates a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child.
(b) If the child is age 14 years or older,
				the child has been consulted with regarding the successor guardianship
				arrangement.
(c) The agency
				determines that the prospective successor guardian is eligible to be licensed
				as a foster parent under ch. DCF 56 and the prospective guardian and nonclient
				residents in the prospective guardian's home meet the requirements of the
				background check in s.
				48.685,
				Stats., and s.
				DCF
				55.13.
Note:
The agency is not required to issue a
				  license to the prospective successor guardian.
(d) The agency determines that placement of
				the child with the prospective successor guardian is in the best interests of
				the child. In the case of an Indian child, the best interests of the Indian
				child shall be determined in accordance with s.
				48.01(2),
				Stats.
Note:
Upon the death or incapacity of a guardian
				  who did not name a prospective successor guardian in a subsidized guardianship
				  agreement or amended subsidized guardianship agreement that was entered into
				  before the guardian's death or incapacity, eligibility of a person to become a
				  new subsidized guardian would be determined under s.
				  DCF 55.03. Section
				  DCF 55.03 would also
				  apply to the eligibility determination of a person seeking payments under this
				  chapter if the previous guardianship was terminated for a reason other than
				  death or incapacity of the guardian.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 55 - Subsidized Guardianship › Section DCF 55.13 - Background check of interim caretaker or prospective successor guardian and nonclient residents

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) PROVIDE INFORMATION.
(a) Before an agency provides subsidized
				guardianship payments to an interim caretaker seeking payments under s. DCF
				55.12 or determines that a prospective successor guardian is eligible to enter
				into a subsidized guardianship agreement, the interim caretaker or prospective
				successor guardian and any nonclient resident in the interim caretaker's or
				prospective successor guardian's home shall do all of the following:
1. Complete and submit to the agency the
				department's background information disclosure form and written authorization
				for the agency to make follow-up contact with the Wisconsin department of
				justice and any other person or organization to determine if there is any
				reason under sub. (4) why the interim caretaker is not eligible to receive
				subsidized guardianship payments under s. DCF 55.12 or the prospective
				successor guardian is not eligible to enter into a subsidized guardianship
				agreement.
Note:
DCF-F-2978-E,
Background
				  Information Disclosure
, is available in the forms section of the
				  department website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or by writing to the Division of
				  Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison WI 53708-8916.
2. Provide the agency with information on
				their places of residence during the 5-year period before the interim caretaker
				is seeking subsidized guardianship payments under s. DCF 55.12 or the
				prospective successor guardian is seeking to enter into a subsidized
				guardianship agreement.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.01 - Authority and purpose

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) This chapter is promulgated under the
				authority of ss.
				48.62,
				48.64(4),
				and
				48.67,
				Stats., to establish licensing requirements for foster homes and foster parents
				directed at protecting the health and safety and promoting the welfare of
				children placed in the homes; to establish a fair hearing procedure for foster
				parents; to establish requirements for certification of a foster home with a
				level of care and requirements for assessment of a child's needs and strengths;
				and to establish criteria for making supplemental and exceptional payments to
				foster parents.
(2) A license to
				operate a foster home does not entitle the holder to placements of children who
				need foster care since placement decisions are based on a variety of factors,
				including the compatibility of what a specific child needs with what a
				particular foster parent can offer.
Public licensing agencies are required to provide a foster
					 home license to any applicant who meets the requirements under this chapter. An
					 agency is not, however, required to place children with a licensee simply by
					 virtue of the fact that they have a foster home to license.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.02 - Applicability

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) TO WHOM THE RULES APPLY. This chapter
				applies to all persons proposing to provide or who are providing foster care
				for children in a foster home and to the department; county agencies under s.
				46.215,
				46.22, or
				46.23,
				Stats.; and licensed private child-placing agencies.
(2) EXCEPTION TO A REQUIREMENT.
(a)
Licensing agency
				authority.
1. A licensing agency may
				grant an exception to any requirement in this chapter if the licensing agency
				determines that the exception will not jeopardize the health, safety or welfare
				of the foster children, except that the licensing agency may not grant an
				exception to any of the following requirements: ss. DCF 56.04 (1), (2), (4) (a)
				1., 2., 5., 5m., 8., or 9. or (b) 2., (6), (7) or (8), 56.05 (1) (a), (b) 1. b.
				or p., 2. b., d., or g., (c) 1. b., c., d., e., g., h., i., j., k., L., m., n.,
				or 2., (d), (f), or (3) (a), 56.06, 56.07 (3) (a), (4) (b), (c), (e), (f), (g),
				or (h), (5) (a), (6), or (10) (a), 56.08 (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6) (c) 1.,
				2., 3. or 4. a., (7) (a) 3., (8) (a), or (c), (10), or (10m), 56.09 (1), (1g),
				(1m) (a) to (f), (2) (c), (2m), (3), (4) (c), (d) or (dm), (5), (9), (11), or
				(12) (a), (c) or (d), 56.12, 56.13 (1), (2), (3), (4) (a) 1., 2., or (b), (5)
				(a), (b) 1. or 2., (c), (6) (a), (b) 1. or 2., (c), (7), (8), 56.14 (1), (2),
				(3), (4), (5), (6), (6d), (6h), (6p), (6t), (7), (7e), (7m), (7s), (8) (a) or
				(b) 3., 56.15, 56.16, 56.18, 56.19, 56.21 (2), 56.22, or 56.23.
2. An applicant or licensee wanting an
				exception to a nonstatutory requirement in this chapter that the licensing
				agency has authority to grant shall submit a written request to the licensing
				agency stating the specific provision of this chapter for which an exception is
				requested, the justification for the requested exception and an explanation of
				any alternative provision planned to meet the intent of the
				requirement.
3. Any exception
				granted under subd. 2. or par. (b) shall be specifically cited on the license
				and shall be in effect only as long as the conditions under which the exception
				was granted remain but no longer than 2 years from the date on which the
				exception is granted or the date the license terminates, whichever occurs
				first, by which time the licensing agency shall determine if there is continued
				justification for the exception. In addition, the licensing agency may impose
				conditions to be met within a specified period of time by the licensee as an
				alternative to compliance with the requirement for which an exception has been
				granted.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.03 - Definitions

Current through June 24, 2024
In this chapter:
(1)
				"Aftercare plan" means a plan for transition services for a child that
				identifies services that will be provided after the child's discharge from a
				foster home to ensure continuity in the management of the child's
				needs.
(1d) "Age or developmentally
				appropriate activities" means activities that are generally accepted as
				suitable for children of a given chronological age or level of maturity or that
				are determined to be developmentally appropriate for a child based on the
				cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacities that are typical for
				children of a given age or age group or, in the case of a specific child,
				activities that are suitable for the child based on the cognitive, emotional,
				physical, and behavioral capacities of that child.
(1g) "Algorithm" means a composite score
				based on items demonstrated to be relevant to decision making on a particular
				topic such as level of need or service provision.
(1r) "Applicant" means a person who applies
				for a license to operate a foster home, for renewal of a license to operate a
				foster home or for modification of a license to operate a foster
				home.
(2) "Basement" has the
				meaning prescribed in s. SPS 320.07 (8), namely, that level below the first or
				ground floor level with its entire floor below exit discharge grade.
(3) "Basic maintenance payment" means a
				payment to reimburse a foster parent for the cost of a foster child's food,
				clothing, housing, basic transportation, and personal items, as follows:
(a) For care and maintenance provided for a
				child of any age by a Level 1 foster home, $220.
Note:
Beginning on January 1, 2018, the basic
				  maintenance payment for a child of any age in a Level 1 foster home is
				  $238.
(b) For care and
				maintenance provided by a foster home that is certified to provide care at a
				level of care that is higher than Level 1 care, an age-related foster care
				payment established by s.
				48.62(4),
				Stats.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.04 - Applying for a license

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) WHO MUST APPLY.
(a) Any person proposing to provide foster
				care for children shall apply to a licensing agency for a foster home
				license.
(b) Application for a
				foster home license shall be made on a form provided by the licensing
				agency.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.05 - Licensee qualifications

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS AND BACKGROUND.
(a)
General.
1. A person licensed to operate a foster home
				shall be a responsible, mature individual who is fit and qualified, exercises
				sound judgment, displays the capacity to successfully nurture foster children,
				does not abuse alcohol or drugs, and does not have a criminal conviction,
				pending criminal charge, or a finding by a governmental body of a civil or
				criminal violation of statutes, regulations, or ordinances that is
				substantially related to the care of children or the operation of a foster
				home. In determining whether a criminal conviction, pending criminal charge, or
				finding by a governmental body is substantially related to the care of children
				or the operation of a foster home, the licensing agency shall apply the factors
				in s. DCF 12.06.
2. The applicant
				or licensee shall give truthful and sufficient information to enable the
				licensing agency to verify whether or not the applicant or licensee meets the
				requirements under subd. 1.
3. In
				determining whether a person is fit and qualified, the licensing agency shall
				consider the person's qualifications under this section and whether the person
				has a criminal conviction, pending criminal charge, or any finding by a
				governmental body of a civil or criminal violation of statutes, regulations, or
				ordinances of the United States, this state, any other state, any local
				government, or any other U.S. jurisdiction that is substantially related to the
				care of children or the operation of a foster home.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.055 - Background checks

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) PROVIDE INFORMATION.
(a) Before a foster home license is issued or
				renewed, the applicant and any nonclient resident in the home shall each do all
				of the following:
1. Complete and submit to
				the agency the department's background information disclosure and written
				authorization for the agency to make follow-up contact with the Wisconsin
				department of justice and any other person or organization to determine if
				there is any reason under sub. (4) why the applicant should not be granted a
				license or have an existing license renewed.
Note:
DCF-F-2978-E,
Background
				  Information Disclosure
, is available in the forms section of the
				  department website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or by writing to the Division of
				  Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison WI 53708-8916.
2. Provide the agency with information on
				each person's places of residence during the 5-year period before submission of
				the license application.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.06 - Serious incident reporting

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) A foster parent
				shall immediately notify the supervising agency and, if not the same, the
				licensing agency of all of the following:
(a)
				Death of a foster child.
(b)
				Serious illness or injury of a foster child that requires the services of a
				licensed medical professional, including all of the following:
1. A broken bone.
2. A burn.
3. A concussion.
4. A wound requiring stitches.
5. The ingestion of poison or drug
				overdose.
6. A reportable
				communicable disease under ch. DHS 145 Appendix A.
Note: Information regarding reportable communicable diseases
				  can be obtained from local county public health departments.
(c) The foster parent has
				reasonable cause to believe any of the following:
1. A foster child has been abused or
				neglected.
2. A foster child has
				been threatened with abuse or neglect and it is likely that the foster child
				will be abused or neglected.
(d) An error in administering medication to a
				foster child.
(e) A suicide attempt
				by a foster child.
(f) The
				unauthorized absence of a foster child from the home for more than 8 hours or
				for longer than is reasonable given the child's age, maturity, and mental and
				emotional capacity.
(g) An incident
				requiring contact with law enforcement at the foster home or that involves a
				foster child.
(h) A condition or
				situation that requires the removal of a child from a foster home.
(i) The use of a physical restraint as
				required under s.
				DCF 56.09(1g)
				(e).
(j) Any other serious incident related to a
				foster child.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.07 - Physical environment

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
(a) A foster home shall be so constructed,
				arranged and maintained that it is safe for all occupants, and the health of
				all occupants is safeguarded. The home shall be large enough and its living
				areas large enough for the number and ages of the foster children and other
				household members. The home shall have furnishings and equipment necessary to
				adequately accommodate the foster children and other persons living in the
				home. The property on which the foster home is situated, including all other
				buildings and structures on that property, shall be maintained in a state of
				good repair and in a sanitary condition so that it is safe for the occupants
				and their health is safeguarded.
(b) The licensing agency shall request fire,
				health, sanitation or safety officials to inspect the foster home or the entire
				premises when more expert opinion is necessary to help the agency evaluate the
				safety of the home.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.08 - Safety

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) GENERAL REQUIREMENTS.
(a) Materials and equipment that may be
				hazardous to children, such as power tools, flammable or combustible materials,
				insecticides, poisons, plastic bags, detergents, alcohol, tobacco products and
				medications, shall be stored in areas not readily accessible to foster
				children.
(b) The licensee shall
				make every reasonable effort to identify and immediately correct any hazard to
				the safety of foster children while the children are in the foster home, on the
				premises or being transported.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.10 - Hearing

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) APPEAL. An applicant for a license to
				operate a foster home who is denied a license or a licensee whose license is
				revoked or whose application for renewal of the license is denied may appeal
				the decision by asking for a hearing in accordance with ch. 227, Stats.
Note:
The appeal rights described in this
				  section relate only to licensure decisions. Foster parents also have appeal
				  rights for non-licensure decisions as provided under s.
				  48.64(4),
				  Stats., and ch. HA 3 rules. Any decision made by a circuit court regarding a
				  placement or a placed child is not appealable by the foster parent under this
				  section.
(2) REQUEST FOR A
				HEARING. A request for a hearing shall be in writing and shall be addressed to
				the department of administration's division of hearings and appeals. The date
				of the request for a hearing shall be the date on which the request is received
				by that office. Any request for a hearing shall be received no more than 15
				days after the date of the notice of the agency decision to deny, revoke, or
				not renew the license.
Note:
A request for a hearing may be mailed to
				  Division of Hearings and Appeals, P.O. Box 7875, Madison, WI 53707-7875 or
				  faxed to (608) 264-9885.
(3)
				ARRANGEMENTS FOR A HEARING. In response to a request for a hearing under this
				section, the division of hearings and appeals shall appoint a hearing examiner,
				set a date for the hearing and notify the parties in writing at least 10 days
				before the hearing of the date, time and place of the hearing and of the
				procedures to be followed.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.12 - Foster parent handbook

Current through June 24, 2024
DCF 56.12 Foster parent handbook. A licensing agency shall
				  provide each licensed or prospective foster parent with a copy of the agency's
				  foster parent handbook prior to or at the time of the issuance of the license
				  to operate a foster home. The foster parent handbook shall include information
				  on the following topics:
(1) General
				information, including:
(a) Overview of the
				child welfare system.
(b)
				Description of the purpose of foster care.
(c) Overview of the juvenile court
				system.
(d) Description of the
				concept of and procedures for permanency planning, permanence goal options, and
				concurrent permanency planning.
(e)
				Requirements for foster parents to report child abuse or neglect under s.
				DCF 56.06(1)
				(c).
(f) A brochure that explains the foster
				parent insurance program and information regarding how to file a claim under
				that program.
(g) A brochure that
				explains the foster care reimbursement and rate structure, including the
				clothing allowance.
(h) A brochure
				that explains the use and parameters of the reasonable and prudent parent
				standard.
Note:
Form DCF-P-5105,
Promoting
				  Normalcy for Children in Out-of-Home Care
, is available in the forms
				  section of the department website at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or by writing
				  the Division of Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison, WI
				  53708-8916.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.13 - Foster home level of care certification

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) CHILD SPECIFIC
				LICENSE.
(a) In this section, "child-specific
				license" means a license to operate a foster home that is issued to a relative
				of a child or an individual who has a previous existing relationship with the
				child or the child's family.
(b) A
				child-specific license may remain valid with any granted waivers or exceptions
				for the duration of the licensing period or up to 6 months after the child
				returns home or is placed elsewhere, whichever occurs first.
(c) A foster home operated by a foster parent
				with a child-specific license may be certified at any level of
				care.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.14 - Foster parent training

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) PURPOSES. This section implements s.
				48.67(4),
				Stats., which requires all foster parents to successfully complete training in
				the care and support needs of children who are placed in foster care that has
				been approved by the department. The purposes of foster parent training are to:
(a) Improve the quality of care provided to
				children who live in foster or adoptive homes.
(b) Prepare foster and adoptive families to
				care for and provide stability for foster children in their homes.
(c) Promote communication, respect, and
				understanding among all involved parties, with a focus on working for the best
				interests of the foster child.
(d)
				Provide opportunities to foster parents to mutually explore their values,
				strengths, limitations, and needs as they relate to compatibility with foster
				and adoptive children.
(e) Develop
				an understanding of the child welfare system and the importance of permanency
				for children.
(f) Encourage foster
				and adoptive parent networking and the use of resources.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.16 - Licensing agency responsibilities

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) A licensing
				agency shall do all of the following:
(a)
				Recruit a pool of foster parents who are interested in and capable of working
				with the types of children who are commonly placed by that agency.
(b) Assess and screen families who are
				interested in becoming foster parents.
(c) Develop foster homes to meet the needs of
				a specifically identified child in need of placement.
(d) Provide, arrange, and approve required
				pre-placement, initial, and ongoing training for foster parents under s.
				DCF
				56.14.
(e)
				Consult with supervising agency caseworkers and social workers to match a
				child's specific needs with available foster parents.
(f) Provide each licensed or prospective
				foster parent with a copy of the agency's foster parent handbook under s.
				DCF
				56.12.
(g)
				Comply with agency responsibilities regarding respite care under s.
				DCF
				56.21(2).
(h) Provide general support to foster
				parents.
(i) Review the foster
				parent's fire safety evacuation plan under s.
				DCF
				56.08(8) and disaster plan under s.
				DCF
				56.08(10m) with the foster parent to
				ensure that the plans provide for adequate safety and communication with the
				agency.
(j) Encourage peer support
				among foster parents and inform foster parents of available supports,
				especially among foster parents who are caring for children with similar
				conditions.
(k) Notify the placing
				agency of any serious incident reported by a foster parent under s.
				DCF
				56.06.
(L)
				Notify the school district in which a foster home is located when a license to
				operate a foster home is issued in that school district, pursuant to s.
				48.62(3),
				Stats. The notification shall include all of the following:
1. The name of the foster parent.
2. The address and phone number of the foster
				parent.
3. The type of children
				expected to be placed in the foster home.
4. The name, address, and phone number of a
				contact person from the licensing agency.
(m) Ensure that the foster parent is
				promoting normalcy for the child by providing opportunities for the child to
				participate in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment,
				cultural, and social activities under s.
				DCF
				56.09(2m).
(n) Use all components of a standardized
				assessment tool prescribed by the department to conduct the home study required
				for approval of a placement for adoption, recognition of a foreign adoption,
				and issuance of a license to operate a foster home.
Note:
The standardized assessment tool
				  prescribed by the department is the
Structured Analysis Family
				  Evaluation
(SAFE) tool. Contact the department's Division of Safety
				  and Permanence for further information at P.O. Box 8916, Madison, WI
				  53708-8916.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.17 - Child's treatment team for Levels 3 to 5

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) MEMBERSHIP.
(a) A child with a level of need of 3 or
				higher who is placed in a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification shall
				have a treatment team that consists of the child, the child's parent or legal
				guardian, the foster parent, and at least one representative each from the
				supervising and placing agencies. At least one member of the team shall have
				clinical training in a field related to the primary needs of the child. In
				addition, the treatment team may include other social workers, caseworkers,
				clinical consultants, physicians, nurses, psychologists, therapists, school
				personnel, home health agency staff, or other significant individuals in the
				child's life.
(b) A parent or child
				may be excluded from the treatment team by the child's supervising agency
				caseworker only when their inclusion would be inappropriate due to age,
				condition, or unwillingness to cooperate. Any justification for exclusion shall
				be documented in the child's case record and anyone excluded shall be informed
				of the reason for the decision, as appropriate.
Wisconsin Administrative Code › Department of Children and Families › DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence › Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children › Section DCF 56.18 - Agency contact with foster parent

Current through June 24, 2024
(1) CONTACT
				REQUIREMENTS.
(a)
Level of care 1 or
				2.
A licensing agency, supervising agency, or placing agency shall
				have at least one contact per month with a foster parent who operates a foster
				home with a Level 1 or 2 certification if a child is placed in the foster home.
				The contact may be in person, by phone, or by an interactive electronic
				format.
(b)
Level of care 3
				to 5.
1. A licensing agency,
				supervising agency, or placing agency shall have at least 2 in-person contacts
				per month with a foster parent who operates a foster home with a Level 3 to 5
				certification if a child is placed in the foster home. At least one of these
				contacts shall be in the foster home.
2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., if a child with
				a level of need below 3 is placed in a foster home with a Level 3 or 4
				certification, the licensing agency, placing agency, or supervising agency
				shall have at least one in-person contact per month with the foster parent each
				full calendar month that the child is in the foster home.
3. If a foster home with a Level 3 to 5
				certification has not had placement of a child for 3 or more months and the
				licensing agency, supervising agency, or placing agency has not seen the foster
				parent in the foster home during that time, the licensing agency, supervising
				agency, or placing agency shall have an in-person contact with the foster
				parent in the foster home before a child is placed in the foster home or within
				24 hours of the child's placement in the foster home.
(c)
Multiple foster parents.
If there is more than one foster parent on the license to operate the foster
				home, the agency may have contact with only one of the foster
				parents.