Chapter DCF 57

DCF 57.14(4)(a) (a) A program director. A licensee shall staff each group home with a program director who complies with all of the following:

DCF 57.14(4)(a)1. 1. ‘Qualifications.’ A program director shall be at least 21 years old, have a 4-year college degree in one of the major fields of study specified in sub. (2) (b) 1. to 7., and have 2 years of supervised child welfare work experience.

DCF 57.14(4)(a)2. 2. ‘Program operation and development.’ The program director function can be provided by a sponsoring agency. The program director or sponsoring agency shall oversee program operation and development and do all of the following:

DCF 57.14(4)(a)2.a. a. Review the appropriateness of admission of each child to the group home.

DCF 57.14(4)(a)2.b. b. Participate in developing, reviewing, and updating resident assessments and treatment planning.

DCF 57.14(4)(a)2.c. c. Provide technical assistance to the resident care staff and agencies.

DCF 57.14(4)(a)2.d. d. Periodically review and update group home policies and procedures.

DCF 57.14 Note Note: A sponsoring agency is defined in s. DCF 57.04 (39) to mean a child welfare agency licensed to place children in group homes; county agency specified in ch. 48.56 (1), Stats.; or the department, which enters into a written contract with the licensee.

DCF 57.14(4)(b) (b) Group home manager. A licensee shall staff each group home with a group home manager who oversees the day-to-day operations of the group home. The group home manager shall have the qualifications specified in par. (c). A group home manager may also function as the program director if the group home manager meets the requirements specified in par. (a).

DCF 57.14(4)(c) (c) Resident care staff. A licensee shall staff each group home with resident care staff in numbers sufficient to meet the staff to resident ratios specified in ss. DCF 57.21 and 57.36 (5) and for any off-premise activities. Resident care staff shall be responsible for the daily supervision of residents and direct care to residents to ensure their safety and well-being. Resident care staff shall have at least one of the following qualifications:

DCF 57.14(4)(c)1. 1. A bachelor or associate degree from a college or university in any one of the majors specified in sub. (2).

DCF 57.14(4)(c)2. 2. At least one year of full-time experience working in a formal program with the type of resident population served by the group home.

DCF 57.14(4)(c)3. 3. Certification as a child and youth care worker under the standards of the Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals or other department-recognized certifying authority.

DCF 57.14 Note Note: A copy of the standards of the Wisconsin Association of Child and Youth Care Professionals can be obtained from http://www.wacycp.org or by contacting WACYCP at 161 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53202; telephone [phone]. Information regarding other recognized certifying authorities may be obtained by contacting any field office listed in Appendix A.

DCF 57.14(4)(c)4. 4. Completion of a traineeship program in which the resident care staff has worked with qualified, experienced resident care staff for at least the first 80 hours of employment and received orientation training as specified under s. DCF 57.16 (1), before working independently with residents.

DCF 57.14(4m) (4m) Automated external defibrillator training. All staff members of a group home who provide care for the residents of the group home shall have current proficiency in the use of an automated external defibrillator, as defined in s. 256.15 (1) (cr), Stats., achieved through instruction provided by an individual, organization, or institution of higher education that is approved under s. 46.03 (38), Stats., to provide such instruction.

DCF 57.14(5) (5) Relief help. The licensee may use relief help to temporarily provide care and supervise residents when the number of resident care staff is not sufficient to meet the staff to resident ratios specified under s. DCF 57.21 or 57.36 (5).

DCF 57.14(6) (6) Volunteers. Each volunteer used by the group home shall be supervised by a staff member. Before a volunteer may begin performing activities, the licensee shall do all of the following:

DCF 57.14(6)(a) (a) Orient the volunteer to the activities that the volunteer may perform as specified in the group home’s personnel policies and procedures.

DCF 57.14(6)(b) (b) Provide each volunteer with the confidentiality requirements specified under s. DCF 57.39 and the child abuse and neglect reporting requirements specified under s. DCF 57.18 (1).

DCF 57.14 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections in (4) (c) (intro.), 4., (5) and (6) (b) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; EmR1106: emerg. am. (4) (a), (b), (c) (intro.), cr. (4m), eff. 9-16-11; CR 11-026: am. (4) (a), (b), (c) (intro.), cr. (4m) Register December 2011 No. 672, eff. 1-1-12; EmR1414: emerg. renum. (2) (intro.) to (2) (a), (b) and am., renum. (2) (a) to (g) to (2) (b) 1. to 7., cr. (2) (c), am. (4) (a) 1., eff. 8-1-14; CR 14-054: renum. (2) (intro.) to (2) (a), (b) and am., renum. (2) (a) to (g) to (2) (b) 1. to 7., cr. (2) (c), am. (4) (a) 1. Register April 2015 No. 712, eff. 5-1-15.

DCF 57.15 DCF 57.15 Hiring and employment.

DCF 57.15(1) (1) In this section a “physician’s assistant” has the meaning in s. 448.971 (2), Stats.

DCF 57.15(2) (2) Before an applicant begins employment, the licensee shall do all of the following:

DCF 57.15(2)(a) (a) Conduct and document a caregiver background check pursuant to s. 48.685, Stats., and ch. DCF 12, on each applicant.

DCF 57.15 Note Note: DCF-F-2978-E, Background Information Disclosure, is available in the forms section of the department website, http://dcf.wisconsin.gov or by calling or writing any field office in Appendix A.

DCF 57.15(2)(b) (b) Obtain favorable references from at least 3 non-relatives, with documentation by letter from the reference or by documentation in the record of verbal contact with a reference. Documentation shall include the date contact was made, the name of the individual conducting the reference, the name of the individual contacted, and a summary of the response.

DCF 57.15(2)(c) (c) Upon hire and before working with residents, require each staff member, except relief help to have a tuberculosis test and provide certification from a physician, physician assistant, or a HealthCheck provider that the staff member meets the minimum physical requirements of the position and that the staff member is in general good health.

DCF 57.15 Note Note: A HealthCheck form may be obtained by contacting the local public health department. Physical examination report forms can be obtained by contacting the field office listed in Appendix A.

DCF 57.15(2)(d) (d) Make a determination of whether the applicant is fit and qualified.

DCF 57.15 Note Note: The term “fit and qualified” is defined in s. DCF 57.04 (15) to mean a person who displays the capacity to successfully nurture and care for children and who does not have a history of a civil action or criminal conviction or administrative rule violation that substantially relates to the care of a child, or who exercises unsound judgment or who abuses alcohol or drugs. For help in determining whether a civil action, criminal conviction, or administrative rule violation substantially relates to the care of children, consult s. DCF 12.06.

DCF 57.15(2)(e) (e) Nothing in this section requires a licensee to hire an applicant for employment or to retain any staff member.

DCF 57.15(3) (3) The licensee shall require each staff member to complete a background information disclosure form and shall conduct a caregiver background check on each staff member every 4 years or at any time within that period.

DCF 57.15(4) (4) A licensee may not hire or employ a person who has had a group home license revoked or denied within the last 2 years.

DCF 57.15 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; correction in (2) (a) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2016 No. 729; correction in (1) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register January 2023 No. 805.

DCF 57.16 DCF 57.16 Training.

DCF 57.16(1) (1) Orientation. Within the first week of hire, the licensee shall provide the staff member with all of the following:

DCF 57.16(1)(a) (a) A job description created under s. DCF 57.17 (1) (a). The job description shall be signed and dated by each staff member upon receipt by the staff member.

DCF 57.16(1)(b) (b) The group home’s program statement and policies and procedures, including the personnel policies and procedures created under s. DCF 57.17 (1).

DCF 57.16(1)(c) (c) Requirements of child abuse and neglect reporting specified under s. 48.981 (2) and (3), Stats., and information on how to identify and report abuse or neglect situations.

DCF 57.16(1)(d) (d) Instruction on how to use fire extinguishers, and on emergency and evacuation procedures.

DCF 57.16(1)(e) (e) Any other information that would orient the staff member to the group home.

DCF 57.16(2) (2) CPR and first aid training. Within 6 months after the date of hire, each staff member shall successfully complete first-aid training and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation training from an American Red Cross or a program certified by the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. The certification shall be renewed in accordance with training guidelines

DCF 57.16(3) (3) Fire safety and evacuation training. Within 6 months after the date of hire, each staff member hired or contracted for on or after January 1, 2006, shall successfully complete fire safety and evacuation training provided by the Wisconsin Technical College System or a comparable course approved by the department.

DCF 57.16(4) (4) Infant and toddler care. Before a staff member or volunteer may provide care and supervision for an infant or toddler as defined under s. DCF 57.37 (2) (a) and (b), the staff member or volunteer used to meet staff to child ratios shall complete the training specified under s. DCF 57.37 (4).

DCF 57.16(4m) (4m) Reasonable and prudent parent standard. A group home shall ensure that an individual specified in s. DCF 57.245 (2) (b) successfully completes training on the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard prior to making reasonable and prudent parenting decisions.

DCF 57.16(5) (5) Continuing education. A licensee shall provide or arrange for at least 24 hours of continuing education annually to each staff member. The training shall pertain to caring for the resident population served by the group home. Types of training that may be acceptable to the department to meet continuing education requirements include all of the following:

DCF 57.16(5)(a) (a) Formal courses resulting in credits or continuing education units.

DCF 57.16(5)(b) (b) Training provided by the licensee, a staff member, or a volunteer. A summary of the training syllabus shall be kept on file at the group home.

DCF 57.16(5)(c) (c) Workshops, conferences, seminars, lectures, correspondence courses, or home study courses.

DCF 57.16(5)(d) (d) Time spent reading and viewing educational materials pertaining to the resident population served by the group home may be counted for up to 5 hours of continuing education per year.

DCF 57.16 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections in (1) (a), (b) and (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; EmR1633: emerg. cr. (4m), eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-051: cr. (4m) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17.

DCF 57.17 DCF 57.17 Personnel policies and records.

DCF 57.17(1) (1) Policies. A licensee shall have written personnel policies and procedures. The policies and procedures shall include all of the following:

DCF 57.17(1)(a) (a) The creation and use of job descriptions that describe the staff member’s roles, responsibilities and duties.

DCF 57.17(1)(b) (b) An orientation plan that shall include how and when orientation of new hires and volunteers will be conducted and documented.

DCF 57.17(1)(c) (c) Work schedules of each staff member and policies on the use of relief help.

DCF 57.17(1)(d) (d) Continuing education and training requirements.

DCF 57.17(1)(e) (e) Designation of the chain of command or supervisory structure in the group home.

DCF 57.17(1)(f) (f) A requirement that each staff member notify the licensee as soon as possible, but no later than the staff member’s next working day of the circumstances listed in s. DCF 57.18 (3).

DCF 57.17(1)(g) (g) A description of the activities that a volunteer may perform for the group home, orientation of the volunteer, supervision and assurance that the volunteer is following group home policies and procedures, and the information to be provided on the laws of confidentiality and reporting of abuse and neglect.

DCF 57.17(1)(h) (h) Handling of emergencies.

DCF 57.17(2) (2) Personnel records. The licensee shall establish and maintain on the premises a personnel record for each staff member. Each personnel record shall contain all of the following for the staff member for which the record was created:

DCF 57.17(2)(a) (a) A completed application for employment that shall include the staff member’s name, address, date of birth, training, education, work experience, and date of hire.

DCF 57.17(2)(b) (b) Current address.

DCF 57.17(2)(c) (c) Addresses and telephone numbers of references and reference checks results.

DCF 57.17(2)(d) (d) A completed and current background information disclosure form.

DCF 57.17(2)(e) (e) The results of the caregiver background check conducted under s. DCF 57.15 (2) (a) and (3), and the results of any subsequent investigation related to information obtained from each background check.

DCF 57.17(2)(f) (f) A job description that is signed and dated by the staff member.

DCF 57.17(2)(g) (g) A completed physical examination or HealthCheck form, including tuberculosis test results.

DCF 57.17(2)(h) (h) The staff member’s driver’s record, if the staff member is assigned to transport children.

DCF 57.17(2)(i) (i) A training record that shall include documentation of the staff member’s receipt of the orientation, training, and continuing education required under s. DCF 57.16. Documentation shall include all of the following:

DCF 57.17(2)(i)1. 1. Date and time of orientation and each training session.

DCF 57.17(2)(i)2. 2. Name of each person that conducted each orientation and training.

DCF 57.17(2)(i)3. 3. Total hours of training or continuing education received.

DCF 57.17(2)(i)4. 4. Whether the staff member completed the requirements of the training or continuing education session.

DCF 57.17(2)(j) (j) Documentation of all first aid and CPR certifications.

DCF 57.17(2)(k) (k) Any disciplinary actions issued to the employee.

DCF 57.17(2)(L) (L) For RPPS decision makers, documentation of the training required under s. DCF 57.16 (4m).

DCF 57.17(2m) (2m) Exemption. Relief help are exempt from providing a physical examination or HealthCheck form to the licensee.

DCF 57.17(3) (3) Volunteer personnel record. The licensee shall establish and maintain on the premises a volunteer personnel record for each volunteer used by the licensee. Each record shall contain all of the information required in sub. (2) except the physical examination or HealthCheck form and caregiver background check results.

DCF 57.17 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections in (1) (f), (2) (d), (e) and (i) (intro.) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; correction in (2) (d) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2016 No. 729; EmR1633: emerg. cr. (2) (L), eff. 11-18-16: CR 16-051: cr. (2) (L) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17.

DCF 57.18 DCF 57.18 Staff member and volunteer responsibilities.

DCF 57.18(1) (1) Pursuant to s. 48.981 (2) and (3), Stats., a licensee, staff member, or volunteer who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused as defined in s. 48.02 (1), Stats., or neglected as defined in s. 48.02 (12g), Stats., shall immediately inform by telephone or in person, a county department of human or social services or a local law enforcement agency.

DCF 57.18(2) (2) Staff members and volunteers shall keep information and records on residents confidential pursuant to the requirements in s. DCF 57.39.

DCF 57.18(3) (3) Each staff member shall notify the licensee as soon as possible, but no later than the staff member’s next working day of all of the following:

DCF 57.18(3)(a) (a) A conviction of any crime.

DCF 57.18(3)(b) (b) A current or past investigation by any governmental agency for any act, offense, or omission, including an investigation related to the abuse or neglect, or threat of abuse or neglect, to a child or other client, or an investigation related to misappropriation of a client’s property.

DCF 57.18(3)(c) (c) A governmental finding substantiated against them of abuse or neglect of a client or of misappropriation of a client’s property.