Chapter DCF 56

DCF 56.16 DCF 56.16 Licensing agency responsibilities.

DCF 56.16(1) (1) A licensing agency shall do all of the following:

DCF 56.16(1)(a) (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.

DCF 56.16(1)(b) (b) Assess and screen families who are interested in becoming foster parents.

DCF 56.16(1)(c) (c) Develop foster homes to meet the needs of a specifically identified child in need of placement.

DCF 56.16(1)(d) (d) Provide, arrange, and approve required pre-placement, initial, and ongoing training for foster parents under s. DCF 56.14.

DCF 56.16(1)(e) (e) Consult with supervising agency caseworkers and social workers to match a child’s specific needs with available foster parents.

DCF 56.16(1)(f) (f) Provide each licensed or prospective foster parent with a copy of the agency’s foster parent handbook under s. DCF 56.12.

DCF 56.16(1)(g) (g) Comply with agency responsibilities regarding respite care under s. DCF 56.21 (2).

DCF 56.16(1)(h) (h) Provide general support to foster parents.

DCF 56.16(1)(i) (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.

DCF 56.16(1)(j) (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.

DCF 56.16(1)(k) (k) Notify the placing agency of any serious incident reported by a foster parent under s. DCF 56.06.

DCF 56.16(1)(L) (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:

DCF 56.16(1)(L)1. 1. The name of the foster parent.

DCF 56.16(1)(L)2. 2. The address and phone number of the foster parent.

DCF 56.16(1)(L)3. 3. The type of children expected to be placed in the foster home.

DCF 56.16(1)(L)4. 4. The name, address, and phone number of a contact person from the licensing agency.

DCF 56.16(1)(m) (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).

DCF 56.16(1)(n) (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.

DCF 56.16 Note 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.

DCF 56.16(2) (2) In addition to sub. (1), a licensing agency shall do all of the following regarding foster homes with a Level 3 to 5 certification:

DCF 56.16(2)(a) (a) Identify foster homes with similar qualifications as existing foster homes to be used as emergency or alternative options.

DCF 56.16(2)(b) (b) Develop and facilitate peer support among foster parents, especially among foster parents who are caring for children with similar conditions.

DCF 56.16(2)(c) (c) Participate in the determination of supplemental payments under s. DCF 56.23 (2) and exceptional payments under s. DCF 56.23 (3) as follows:

DCF 56.16(2)(c)1. 1. Review the payment amount that a placing agency is proposing for a child’s placement and discuss the child’s needs with the placing agency.

DCF 56.16(2)(c)2. 2. Inform a prospective foster parent of the placing agency’s proposed payment amount.

DCF 56.16(2)(c)3. 3. Recommend any modifications to the payment amount that the placing agency has proposed.

DCF 56.16(2)(c)4. 4. Participate with the placing agency, foster parent, and treatment team members in the redetermination of the payment amount following a reassessment under s. DCF 56.22 (5) (b).

DCF 56.16(2)(c)5. 5. At a foster parent’s request, assist a foster parent in resolving a disagreement between the foster parent and the placing agency regarding a payment amount before the foster parent requests a hearing under s. DCF 56.10.

DCF 56.16 History History: EmR1050: emerg. cr., eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-148: cr. Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; EmR1633: emerg. cr. (1) (m), (n), eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-051: cr. (1) (m), (n) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; CR 20-003: am. (1) (L) (intro.) Register July 2020 No. 775, eff. 8-1-20.

DCF 56.17 DCF 56.17 Child’s treatment team for Levels 3 to 5.

DCF 56.17(1) (1) Membership.

DCF 56.17(1)(a) (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.

DCF 56.17(1)(b) (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.

DCF 56.17(2) (2) Responsibilities. The treatment team for a foster child shall do all of the following:

DCF 56.17(2)(a) (a) Using specialists when necessary, arrange for additional appropriate assessments based on the needs and strengths of the child, child’s family, and foster parent as identified in the assessment under s. DCF 56.22. If the child may have a serious emotional disturbance, arrange for a bio-psycho-social assessment that includes all of the following:

DCF 56.17(2)(a)1. 1. An assessment of the child’s disability.

DCF 56.17(2)(a)2. 2. Measurement of the behavioral and cognitive correlates of the disability.

DCF 56.17(2)(a)3. 3. An assessment of how psycho-social and environmental factors influence how the child copes with the disability.

DCF 56.17(2)(a)4. 4. A review of biological factors that affect the disability.

DCF 56.17(2)(a)5. 5. Identification of possible treatments for the disability.

DCF 56.17(2)(b) (b) Develop the child’s written treatment plan within 30 days after the child’s placement in a foster home. The treatment plan shall do all of the following:

DCF 56.17(2)(b)1. 1. Specify the treatment and services to be provided to the child and the child’s family.

DCF 56.17(2)(b)2. 2. Identify who is responsible for providing each treatment and service.

DCF 56.17(2)(b)3. 3. Establish measurable goals and objectives for the placement in all areas of the child’s life, including all of the following:

DCF 56.17(2)(b)3.a. a. Supervision and safety.

DCF 56.17(2)(b)3.b. b. Health, emotional, and behavioral stability.

DCF 56.17(2)(b)3.c. c. Daily living and community integration.

DCF 56.17(2)(b)3.d. d. Education.

DCF 56.17(2)(b)3.e. e. Communication skills.

DCF 56.17(2)(b)3.f. f. Legal status, including permanency planning issues.

DCF 56.17(2)(b)3.g. g. Regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities under s. DCF 56.09 (2m).

DCF 56.17(2)(b)4. 4. If a child is 15 years of age or over, include a description of the programs and services that are or will be provided to assist the child in preparing for the transition from out-of-home care to independent living as required under s. 48.38 (4) (h) or 938.38 (4) (h), Stats.

DCF 56.17(2)(c) (c) Establish an appropriate level of nursing, other medical care, and other types of care for the child based upon the child’s needs and the abilities of the foster parent.

DCF 56.17(2)(d) (d) Determine the need for and arrange appropriate and qualified psychiatric and psychological services for the child.

DCF 56.17(2)(e) (e) Provide copies of the treatment plan to all treatment team members, including the child if the child is more than 12 years old, as allowed by law.

DCF 56.17(2)(f) (f) Implement and support the treatment plan, including ensuring that all available resources and treatments are known or explored and developing new resources if appropriate.

DCF 56.17(2)(g) (g) Meet to formally review the treatment plan, share information, exchange ideas and opinions, and discuss issues at least every 3 months from the date of distribution of the treatment plan. The supervising agency caseworker shall determine if more frequent treatment team meetings are necessary. Other treatment team members may request a meeting.

DCF 56.17(2)(h) (h) Share knowledge regarding the child and the treatment plan with other treatment team members as allowed by law and encourage support for the treatment plan.

DCF 56.17(2)(i) (i) Ensure that family counseling is provided to the child’s family and the foster family as needed.

DCF 56.17(2)(j) (j) Ensure that 24-hour per day, 7-day per week crisis intervention is provided for the foster child and the foster parent as needed.

DCF 56.17(2)(k) (k) Monitor and evaluate the progress of the treatment plan and the continued appropriateness and effectiveness of the provided services and supports and placement of the child on an ongoing basis.

DCF 56.17(2)(L) (L) Make treatment plan revisions and adjustments as necessary. Ensure revisions and adjustments to the treatment plan are in writing and are based on all of the following:

DCF 56.17(2)(L)1. 1. Observations from the supervising agency caseworker’s direct contact with the child.

DCF 56.17(2)(L)2. 2. Discussions that include the child, child’s parent, guardian at litem, service providers, and collateral contacts.

DCF 56.17(2)(L)3. 3. Other relevant data or information.

DCF 56.17(2)(m) (m) Design and implement new treatment strategies as needed.

DCF 56.17(2)(n) (n) Consult with the foster parent or supervising agency caseworker about events in the foster home if requested.

DCF 56.17(2)(o) (o) Arrange for interaction between the child and the child’s family as provided in the child’s permanency plan or treatment plan.

DCF 56.17(2)(p) (p) Resolve any disagreements between the foster parent and the supervising agency. Efforts by the treatment team to resolve disagreements may not replace any internal grievance procedures established by the supervising agency or the foster parent’s fair hearing rights under s. 48.64 (4) (a), Stats.

DCF 56.17(2)(q) (q) Develop an aftercare plan for a child that ensures continuity in managing a child’s needs after the child’s placement ends.

DCF 56.17 History History: EmR1050: emerg. cr., eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-148: cr. Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; EmR1633: emerg. cr. (2) (b) 3. g., eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-051: cr. (2) (b) 3. g. Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17.

DCF 56.18 DCF 56.18 Agency contact with foster parent.

DCF 56.18(1) (1) Contact requirements.

DCF 56.18(1)(a) (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.

DCF 56.18(1)(b) (b) Level of care 3 to 5.

DCF 56.18(1)(b)1. 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.

DCF 56.18(1)(b)2. 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.

DCF 56.18(1)(b)3. 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.

DCF 56.18(1)(c) (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.

DCF 56.18(2) (2) Multiple agencies. If the licensing agency, supervising agency, and the placing agency under sub. (1) are different agencies, those agencies shall determine a contact plan.

DCF 56.18(3) (3) Purposes of contact. The agency contact with the foster parent shall focus on the safety, permanence, and well-being of the child to evaluate the compatibility of the child with the foster parent and other household members and the ability of the foster parent to meet the needs of the child in a safe manner. The contacts shall include discussion of any additional support needed by the foster parent to safely maintain any child in foster care living in the foster home.

DCF 56.18 History History: EmR1050: emerg. cr., eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-148: cr. Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11.

DCF 56.19 DCF 56.19 Agency contact with foster child.

DCF 56.19(1) (1) Contact requirements.

DCF 56.19(1)(a) (a) Level of care 1 or 2. A licensing agency, placing agency, or supervising agency shall have at least one in-person contact with a child each full calendar month that the child is placed in a foster home with a Level 1 or 2 certification.

DCF 56.19(1)(b) (b) Level of care 3 or 4.

DCF 56.19(1)(b)1. 1. A licensing agency, placing agency, supervisory agency shall have an in-person contact with a child placed in a foster home with a Level 3 or 4 certification at least every other week. At least one contact per month shall be in the child’s foster home.