Chapter DCF 57

DCF 57.22(1)(d) (d) Opportunities for physical exercise to encourage gross and fine motor development.

DCF 57.22(1)(e) (e) Guidance and assistance in the development of daily living skills.

DCF 57.22(1)(f) (f) Activities appropriate to a resident’s ethnic culture.

DCF 57.22(1)(g) (g) Opportunities for activities geared towards the individual interests of residents.

DCF 57.22(2) (2) Religious training and practice. Each resident shall be provided with opportunities for voluntary religious expression and participation in religious education and attendance at services compatible with the religious preference of the resident, or a parent or guardian of the resident.

DCF 57.22(3) (3) Recreation. A variety of indoor and outdoor recreational activities and developmentally appropriate play equipment shall be offered.

DCF 57.22(4) (4) Telephone usage. Telephone usage by a resident shall be governed by the resident rights under s. DCF 57.24 and the resident’s treatment plan or placement agreement.

DCF 57.22 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; correction in (4) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635.

DCF 57.23 DCF 57.23 Treatment planning and assessment.

DCF 57.23(1) (1) Assessment for respite care. A program director shall ensure that an assessment of a child admitted to a group home under a voluntary agreement for respite care is completed before the child’s date of admission to the group home. The assessment shall include all of the following:

DCF 57.23(1)(a) (a) Information on the child’s developmental, behavioral, educational, and medical history; family and significant relationships; legal history; substance abuse history; and any past treatment.

DCF 57.23(1)(b) (b) A description of the child’s current status, including mental status, medical needs, current activities, educational status, current and recent substance abuse use, and personal strengths.

DCF 57.23(2) (2) Resident assessment and treatment plan.

DCF 57.23(2)(a) (a) Within 30 calendar days after the date a resident is admitted to a group home, the program director shall perform a comprehensive written assessment of the resident and develop a written treatment plan. The program director shall develop the treatment plan with the participation of the placing agency; the resident; a parent if the resident is under 18 years of age; a guardian and legal custodian, if applicable and available; and the persons who will provide the required services to the resident. A completed treatment plan for each resident shall be placed in the resident’s record maintained by the group home under s. DCF 57.38 and shall include all of the following:

DCF 57.23(2)(a)1. 1. A description of the resident’s strengths, needs, and preferences.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)2. 2. Treatment goals for the resident and the time frames for achieving those goals.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)3. 3. A description of behavior interventions to be utilized with the resident. The licensee shall ensure that methods of behavior intervention are positive, based on the resident’s needs, stage of development and behavior and promote self control.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)4. 4. Specific services and supports to be provided to achieve the treatment goals, and names of persons, agencies or position titles responsible for providing services and implementing any of the treatment goals.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)5. 5. Permanency planning goals.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)6. 6. Goals related to independent living skills, if the resident is 15 years of age or older.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)7. 7. Specific indicators that treatment goals have been achieved.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)8. 8. Any court ordered conditions.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)9. 9. Projected length of stay and conditions for discharge.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)10. 10. Visits to the resident by parents and other family members with the approval of the placing agency and in accordance with clients’ right standards to ensure that an appropriate relationship is maintained between the resident and family members.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)11. 11. Arrangements for public school attendance.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)12. 12. Consideration of the additional requirements for care of custodial parents and expectant mothers under s. DCF 57.36 and care for children under 6 years of age under s. DCF 57.37, as applicable.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)13. 13. Consideration of additional requirements for the care of the following residents:

DCF 57.23(2)(a)13.a. a. The resident is 18 years of age or over, but under 21 years of age; the resident is a full-time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent; and there is an individualized education program under s. 115.787, Stats., in effect for the person.

DCF 57.23(2)(a)13.b. b. The resident is 18 years of age or over, but under 21 years of age, and is placed under another state’s placement and care responsibility under 42 USC 675 (8) (B) (iv).

DCF 57.23(2)(a)14. 14. Information documented on the forms required under ch. DCF 37 regarding the decision-making factors for reasonable and prudent parenting decisions for the resident under s. DCF 57.245 (4).

DCF 57.23 Note Note: The forms required under ch. DCF 37 are DCF-F-872A-E, Information for Out-of-Home Care Providers, Part A and DCF-F-872B-E, Information for Out-of-Home Care Providers, Part B. Both forms are 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.

DCF 57.23(2)(am) (am) Assessments of children of residents are not required.

DCF 57.23(2)(b) (b) At least once every 3 months, the group home shall conduct a treatment plan review that includes a review of reasonable and prudent parenting requests and decisions made for a resident and the resident’s progress toward meeting treatment plan goals. If available, the individuals who participated in the development of the resident’s assessment and treatment plan shall be invited to participate in the review.

DCF 57.23(2)(c) (c) The group home shall conduct a treatment plan review and revise the treatment plan as needed, consistent with the resident’s needs, treatment plan goals, and the permanency planning goals of the placing person or agency.

DCF 57.23(3) (3) Discharge planning.

DCF 57.23(3)(a) (a) Preparation for discharge shall begin at the time of admission with the outlining of goals to be achieved and ongoing modification as progress towards goals dictates. The group home shall document in the resident’s record efforts made by staff members to prepare the resident and the resident’s family for discharge.

DCF 57.23(3)(b) (b) The resident; the parent, guardian, or legal custodian; and the placing agency shall be given an opportunity to participate in developing a post-discharge plan. The plan shall include recommendations for continuing or additional services upon discharge and the name of the person or agency to receive the resident upon discharge, if applicable.

DCF 57.23 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections in (2) (a) (intro.) and 12. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; EmR1414: emerg. am. (2) (a) (intro.), cr. (2) (a) 13., eff. 8-1-14; CR 14-054: am. (2) (a) (intro.), cr. (2) (a) 13. Register April 2015 No. 712, eff. 5-1-15; EmR1633: emerg. r. and recr. (1), am. (2) (title), (a) (intro.), r. and recr. (2) (a) 13., cr. (2) (a) 14., (am), r. and recr. (2) (b), cr. (2) (c), eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-051: r. and recr. (1), am. (2) (title), (a) (intro.), r. and recr. (2) (a) 13., cr. (2) (a) 14., (am), r. and recr. (2) (b), cr. (2) (c) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17.

DCF 57.24 DCF 57.24 Resident rights.

DCF 57.24(1) (1) The licensee shall be knowledgeable of and ensure that staff members and volunteers observe the patient rights and grievance resolution procedures in s. 51.61, Stats., and ch. DHS 94, for each resident who receives services for treatment of mental illness, a developmental disability, alcoholism or drug dependency. Residents that are not specifically identified as coming under s. 51.61, Stats., and ch. DHS 94 shall have rights and grievance resolution procedures that are comparable to those found in s. 51.61, Stats., and ch. DHS 94.

DCF 57.24(2) (2) A copy of the DHS 94 patient’s rights and the group home grievance procedure shall be posted in each group home in a prominent place accessible to residents, staff members and visitors.

DCF 57.24 Note Note: Patients’ rights information and posters can be obtained at http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/clientrights/FormsPubsPosters.htm.

DCF 57.24 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635.

DCF 57.245 DCF 57.245 Promoting normalcy.

DCF 57.245(1) (1) Similar to peers. A group home shall promote normalcy and the healthy development of a resident by supporting the resident’s right to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities and have experiences that are similar to those of the resident’s peers of the same age, maturity, or development.

DCF 57.245(2) (2) RPPS decision maker.

DCF 57.245(2)(a) (a) A group home shall ensure the presence on-site of at least one RPPS decision maker at all times to make decisions regarding the participation of a resident in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities.

DCF 57.245(2)(b) (b) An RPPS decision maker may be a licensee, authorized representative of the licensee, program director, group home manager, or resident care staff member.

DCF 57.245(2)(c) (c) An RPPS decision maker shall have knowledge of a resident and access to the resident’s treatment plan and other resident records under s. DCF 57.38 related to the decision-making factors in sub. (4).

DCF 57.245(2)(d) (d) An RPPS decision maker shall document in the communication log under s. DCF 57.215 decisions made under this section for activities that do not take place in the group home and are not supervised by a staff member.

DCF 57.245(2)(e) (e) An RPPS decision maker shall document on a form prescribed by the department any decision made under this section that requires written permission from the group home in lieu of the resident’s parent or guardian. The completed form shall be placed in the resident’s record under s. DCF 57.38.

DCF 57.245 Note Note: DCF-F-5124-E, Reasonable and Prudent Parent Decision Record, 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.

DCF 57.245(3) (3) Reasonable and prudent parent standard. When an RPPS decision maker is making a decision regarding a resident’s participation in activities, the RPPS decision maker shall use a decision-making standard that is characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, best interests, and cultural, religious, and tribal values of the resident while at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental growth of the resident, if the activities meet the conditions in par. (a) and (b) as follows:

DCF 57.245(3)(a) (a) Areas covered by the standard. The resident is participating or wants to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, or social activities, including all of the following:

DCF 57.245(3)(a)1. 1. Activities related to transportation, such as obtaining a driver’s license, driving, or carpooling with peers and other adults.

DCF 57.245(3)(a)2. 2. Formal or informal employment and related activities, such as opening an account in a bank or credit union.

DCF 57.245(3)(a)3. 3. Activities related to peer relationships, such as visiting with friends, staying overnight at a friend’s house, or dating.

DCF 57.245(3)(a)4. 4. Activities related to personal expression, such as haircuts; hair dying; clothing choices; or sources of entertainment, including games and music.

DCF 57.245(3)(b) (b) Age or developmentally appropriate activities. The resident is participating or wants to participate in activities that are suitable based on any of the following criteria:

DCF 57.245(3)(b)1. 1. Activities that are generally accepted as suitable for children of the same 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 the same age or age group.

DCF 57.245(3)(b)2. 2. Activities that are suitable based on this resident’s cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacities.

DCF 57.245 Note Note: The reasonable and prudent parent standard does not apply to a child receiving respite care services.

DCF 57.245(4) (4) Decision-making factors. When applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard to a decision regarding a resident’s participation in an extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, or social activity, an RPPS decision maker shall consider all of the following:

DCF 57.245(4)(a) (a) Child-specific factors, including all of the following:

DCF 57.245(4)(a)1. 1. The resident’s treatment plan.

DCF 57.245(4)(a)2. 2. The resident’s wishes, as gathered by engaging the resident in an age-appropriate discussion about participation in the activity.

DCF 57.245(4)(a)3. 3. The age, maturity, and development of the resident.

DCF 57.245(4)(a)4. 4. Whether participating in the activity is in the best interest of the resident.

DCF 57.245(4)(a)5. 5. The resident’s behavioral history.

DCF 57.245(4)(a)6. 6. Court orders and other legal considerations affecting the resident, including the prohibitions in sub. (5).

DCF 57.245(4)(a)7. 7. Cultural, religious, and tribal values of the resident and the resident’s family. If the resident and resident’s family have different cultural, religious, or tribal values, then the placing agency, or the department if the department is the resident’s guardian, is ultimately responsible for decisions concerning the resident’s care.

DCF 57.245(4)(b) (b) Activity-specific factors, including all of the following:

DCF 57.245(4)(b)1. 1. Potential risk factors of the situation, including whether the resident has the necessary training and safety equipment to safely participate in the activity under consideration.

DCF 57.245(4)(b)2. 2. How the activity will help the resident grow.

DCF 57.245(4)(b)3. 3. Whether participating in the activity will provide experiences that are similar to the experiences of other residents in the group home.

DCF 57.245(4)(b)4. 4. Other information regarding the parent’s wishes and values, as obtained during development and review of the resident’s treatment plan under s. DCF 57.23 (2) and other discussions with the resident’s parent or guardian.

DCF 57.245(4)(c) (c) Any other concerns regarding the safety of the resident, other residents in the group home, or the community.

DCF 57.245(4)(d) (d) Information on the forms required under ch. DCF 37.

DCF 57.245 Note Note: The forms required under ch. DCF 37 are DCF-F-872A-E, Information for Out-of-Home Care Providers, Part A and DCF-F-872B-E, Information for Out-of-Home Care Providers, Part B. Both forms are 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.

DCF 57.245(5) (5) Prohibitions. An RPPS decision maker may not do any of the following:

DCF 57.245(5)(a) (a) Permit a resident to participate in an activity that would violate a court order or any federal or state statute, rule, or regulation.

DCF 57.245(5)(b) (b) Make decisions that conflict with the resident’s permanency plan or family interaction plan.

DCF 57.245(5)(c) (c) Consent to the resident’s marriage.

DCF 57.245(5)(d) (d) Authorize the resident’s enlistment in the U.S. armed forces.

DCF 57.245(5)(e) (e) Authorize medical, psychiatric, or surgical treatment for the resident beyond the terms of the consent for medical services authorized by the resident’s parent or guardian.

DCF 57.245(5)(f) (f) Represent the resident in legal actions or make other decisions of substantial legal significance.

DCF 57.245(5)(g) (g) Determine which school the resident attends or make a decision concerning the resident regarding an educational right or requirement that is provided in federal or state law.

DCF 57.245 Note Note: For example, only a parent or guardian can make decisions about a resident’s individualized educational program under s. 115.787, Stats.

DCF 57.245(5)(h) (h) Require or prohibit a resident’s participation in an age or developmentally appropriate activity solely for convenience or personal reasons not applicable to the decision-making factors in sub. (4).