Chapter DCF 57

DCF 57.31 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06.

DCF 57.32 DCF 57.32 Education.

DCF 57.32(1) (1) School age residents shall be enrolled in school as soon as possible after admission to the group home. The licensee shall ensure that each resident meets the school attendance requirements under chs. 115 and 118, Stats., unless otherwise excused by school officials.

DCF 57.32(2) (2) A group home may not provide a home-based private educational program to residents unless the program is approved by the department of public instruction as a private school under s. 118.165, Stats.

DCF 57.32 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06.

DCF 57.33 DCF 57.33 Sleeping arrangements.

DCF 57.33(1) (1) Each resident shall be provided with a separate bed. A child of a resident who is a custodial parent shall also have his or her own crib, bed, or bassinet as appropriate for the needs of the child and may not share a bed with his or her parent.

DCF 57.33(2) (2) A resident who is 18 years of age or older may not share a bedroom with a child who is under 18 years of age, unless the resident who is 18 years of age or older is continuing to share a bedroom with a child he or she had already been sharing the bedroom with before turning 18 years of age.

DCF 57.33(3) (3) No resident may share a bedroom with a licensee, staff member, volunteer, household member, or with a visitor to the premises.

DCF 57.33(4) (4) Male and female residents may not share the same bedroom.

DCF 57.33(5) (5) No more than 4 residents shall occupy any bedroom. For a group home initially licensed after January 1, 2006, no more than 2 residents shall occupy a bedroom.

DCF 57.33(6) (6) A room that others must pass through to get to another part of the group home shall not be used as a bedroom for a resident.

DCF 57.33(7) (7) Regular sleeping provisions for residents may not be in any building, apartment, or other structure that is separate from the group home structure or in an unfinished attic, unfinished basement, in a hall or in any other room that is not typically used for sleeping purposes. No household member may be permitted to regularly sleep in any of these areas in order to accommodate a resident.

DCF 57.33 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; EmR1106: emerg. am. (1), eff. 9-16-11; CR 11-026: am. (1) Register December 2011 No. 672, eff. 1-1-12; EmR1414: emerg. am. (2), eff. 8-1-14; CR 14-054: am. (2) Register April 2015 No. 712, eff. 5-1-15.

DCF 57.34 DCF 57.34 Non-ambulatory residents. The licensee shall ensure that non-ambulatory residents receive care and services according to that resident’s treatment plan.

DCF 57.34 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06.

DCF 57.35 DCF 57.35 Additional requirements for group homes providing respite care.

DCF 57.35(1) (1) Applicability. If a group home is licensed under s. DCF 57.51 or approved under s. DCF 57.515 to provide respite care, the licensee shall meet the additional requirements of this section.

DCF 57.35(2) (2) Staff.

DCF 57.35(2)(a) (a) Each staff member who provides care for a respite care resident shall have training or work experience related to any specific condition or need of the resident for whom care is provided. Staff members with no previous training or experience working with the specific condition or need of a respite care resident shall receive at least 8 hours of supervised experience or more if necessary to provide competent care.

DCF 57.35(2)(b) (b) The group home shall designate by name or position a staff member who will have primary responsibility for oversight of respite care residents.

DCF 57.35(3) (3) Program statement and policies. The program statement required under s. DCF 57.05 (1), shall address the purpose for which respite care is provided, compatibility of children with diverse needs and how the respite care program relates to other program components of the group home. The policies and procedures established under s. DCF 57.05 (2), shall include procedures on assessing the medical and dietary needs and behavioral and emotional concerns of a child admitted to the group home for respite care.

DCF 57.35 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections in (1) and (3) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635.

DCF 57.36 DCF 57.36 Additional requirements for group homes providing care for custodial parents and expectant mothers.

DCF 57.36(1) (1) Applicability. If a licensee is licensed under s. DCF 57.51 or approved under s. DCF 57.515 to provide care to custodial parents or expectant mothers, the licensee shall meet the additional requirements of this section.

DCF 57.36(2) (2) Treatment planning. The treatment plan developed under s. DCF 57.23 shall include goals and approaches for all of the following:

DCF 57.36(2)(a) (a) Parenting skills. Parenting skills instruction that includes all of the following:

DCF 57.36(2)(a)1. 1. Prenatal and other health care services.

DCF 57.36(2)(a)2. 2. Child development.

DCF 57.36(2)(a)3. 3. Bathing and hygiene.

DCF 57.36(2)(a)4. 4. Child safety.

DCF 57.36(2)(a)5. 5. Child guidance and behavior management.

DCF 57.36(2)(a)6. 6. Domestic violence issues, sudden infant death syndrome, shaken baby syndrome, and mental health and alcohol and other drug abuse counseling as appropriate.

DCF 57.36(2)(a)7. 7. Nutrition and meal preparation.

DCF 57.36(2)(a)8. 8. Childcare options.

DCF 57.36(2)(b) (b) Life skills. Life skills instruction that includes all of the following:

DCF 57.36(2)(b)1. 1. Family planning and relationships.

DCF 57.36(2)(b)2. 2. Independent living skills, economic self-sufficiency, budgeting and job skills.

DCF 57.36(2)(b)3. 3. Accessing community resources, transportation, and transitional housing.

DCF 57.36(3) (3) Medical care for expectant mothers. An expectant mother shall be provided prenatal and postnatal care from a physician or a nurse-midwife licensed under s. 441.15 (3), Stats. The licensee shall ensure that the expectant mother gives birth in a medical facility.

DCF 57.36(4) (4) Health safety and welfare of children of residents. The licensee shall ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the children of residents and provide care to those children in compliance with this chapter.

DCF 57.36(5) (5) Child care for children of custodial parent.

DCF 57.36(5)(a) (a) If the resident is not on the premises or is otherwise unable to care for his or her child, childcare may be provided on the premises only as follows:

DCF 57.36(5)(a)1. 1. The staff to child ratio may not be less than that specified in Table DCF 57.36. If care is provided to a mixed-age group of children, the staff-to-child ratio in Table DCF 57.36 shall be adjusted on a pro-rata basis pursuant to Appendix D.

- See PDF for table

DCF 57.36(5)(a)2. 2. The staff member or volunteer used to meet staff to child ratios as defined in subd. 1. shall have completed the training requirements as set forth under s. DCF 57.37 (4).

DCF 57.36(5)(a)3. 3. If childcare is provided for payment, reimbursement or other compensation to 4 or more children under 7 years of age, the child care program must be licensed under ch. DCF 250 or 251.

DCF 57.36(5)(b) (b) Childcare may be provided off premises only by a child care provider that is licensed or certified under ch. DCF 250, 251, or 252, as applicable.

DCF 57.36(6) (6) Non-custodial parents. The licensee shall give children of residents the opportunity and encouragement to maintain involvement with non-custodial parents.

DCF 57.36(7) (7) Space requirements. In addition to the floor space required for bedrooms under s. DCF 57.40 (6) (b) 3., there shall be at least 35 square feet of additional floor space in a bedroom for each child sharing a bedroom with a parent.

DCF 57.36(8) (8) Water supply. The annual test of private well water under s. DCF 57.40 (3) (a) 2. shall include testing for nitrate levels. If nitrate levels are determined to be over 10 milligrams per liter, the licensee shall give notice to the department field office that serves the group home within 48 hours.

DCF 57.36 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections in (1), (2) (intro.), (5), (7) and (8) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; EmR1106: emerg. am. (8), eff. 9-16-11; CR 11-026: am. (8) Register December 2011 No. 672, eff. 1-1-12.

DCF 57.37 DCF 57.37 Additional requirements for care of children 6 years of age or younger.

DCF 57.37(1) (1) Applicability. If a group home is licensed under s. DCF 57.51 or approved under s. DCF 57.515 to admit children under 6 years of age as residents or if the group home provides care to a resident who is the custodial parent of a child under the age of 6, the group home shall meet the additional requirements of this section.

DCF 57.37(2) (2) Definitions. In this section:

DCF 57.37(2)(a) (a) “Infant” means a child under one year of age.

DCF 57.37(2)(b) (b) “Toddler” means a child at least one year of age but less than 2 years of age.

DCF 57.37(2)(c) (c) “SIDS” means Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

DCF 57.37(3) (3) Treatment plan. A treatment plan is not required for children of residents. The treatment plan developed under s. DCF 57.23 (2) for a resident under 6 years of age shall include:

DCF 57.37(3)(a) (a) Schedule of meals and feeding and types of food introduced.

DCF 57.37(3)(b) (b) Toileting and diapering procedures.

DCF 57.37(3)(c) (c) Sleep and nap schedule.

DCF 57.37(3)(d) (d) Communication methods and comforting techniques.

DCF 57.37(3)(e) (e) Developmental history.

DCF 57.37(3)(f) (f) Medical history and medication management.

DCF 57.37(4) (4) Staff training. Each staff member who provides care to a child under this section shall successfully complete at least 10 hours of training in infant and toddler care; at least 40 hours or 3 credits of early childhood training and training in infant and child CPR within 6 months after beginning employment, unless the staff member has previously received such training and certification is current. The training in infant and toddler care shall include instruction on SIDS risk reduction and shall be approved by the department.

DCF 57.37(5) (5) Diapering. Wet or soiled diapers and clothing shall be changed promptly. Each child shall be changed on a surface that is cleaned with soap and water and a disinfectant solution after each use. Soiled diapers shall be placed in a plastic-lined, covered container, which shall be emptied, washed and disinfected daily.

DCF 57.37(6) (6) Furnishings and bedding.

DCF 57.37(6)(a) (a) Each child shall be provided with a bassinet, crib, or bed that is safe and appropriate to the needs of the child. Cribs shall have crib slats that are securely fastened in place and are spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. Crib mattresses shall fit snugly. Bassinets and cribs shall be washed and disinfected between changes in occupancy. The top bunk of a bunk bed shall not be used for a child under 4 years of age. The top bunk shall have a safety rail if occupied by a child under 8 years of age.

DCF 57.37(6)(b) (b) Pillows and sheepskins shall not be used with infants.

DCF 57.37(6)(c) (c) The group home shall provide eating utensils and cups, infant seats, high chairs, car seats, strollers, rocking chairs, tables and seating and other furnishings and equipment appropriate for size and developmental level and the needs of children under 6 years of age.

DCF 57.37(7) (7) Safety measures.

DCF 57.37(7)(a) (a) Strings and cords long enough to encircle a child’s neck shall not be accessible to children.

DCF 57.37(7)(b) (b) When infants and toddlers are present, open stairways shall be protected at the top and bottom with child safety gates. Gates shall have latching devices that adults can open easily in an emergency. Pressure gates or accordion gates shall not be used.

DCF 57.37(7)(c) (c) Steam radiators, fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, electric fans, electric outlets, electric heating units and hot surfaces, such as pipes, shall be protected by screens or guards.

DCF 57.37(7)(d) (d) Differences of elevation, including platforms, walkways, balconies and open sides of stairways shall be protected by railing at least 36 inches in height and with bars no greater than 4 inches apart.

DCF 57.37(8) (8) Water. If an infant under 6 months old is in care, the annual test of private well water required under s. DCF 57.40 (3) (a) 2., shall include testing for nitrate levels. If nitrate levels are determined to be over 10 milligrams per liter, the licensee shall give notice to the department field office that serves the group home within 48 hours.

DCF 57.37(9) (9) Nutrition and feeding.

DCF 57.37(9)(a) (a) Food shall be available to infants and toddlers in accordance with the meal patterns consistent with those specified in Appendices B and C, as applicable.

DCF 57.37(9)(b) (b) If a microwave is used to heat or prepare food, procedures for heating and cooking infant formula, milk, or food in a microwave oven shall be posted near the microwave.

DCF 57.37(9)(c) (c) Bottles shall not be propped. A child unable to hold a bottle shall be held whenever a bottle is given.

DCF 57.37(9)(d) (d) Infants and toddlers shall not be put to bed with a bottle.

DCF 57.37(10) (10) Medical care. Each child shall receive routine physical examinations and immunizations pursuant to s. 252.04, Stats., and ch. DHS 144, by a licensed medical professional.

DCF 57.37 History History: CR 04-067: cr. Register September 2005 No. 597, eff. 1-1-06; corrections in (1), (3) (intro.) and (8) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; EmR1106: emerg. am. (8), r. (11), eff. 9-16-11; CR 11-026: am. (8), r. (11) Register December 2011 No. 672, eff. 1-1-12.

DCF 57.38 DCF 57.38 Resident records.

DCF 57.38(1) (1) The licensee shall maintain on the premises a record for each current resident. Each record shall contain all of the following information:

DCF 57.38(1)(a) (a) Resident’s first name, last name, and alias, if any, date of birth, and gender.

DCF 57.38(1)(b) (b) Recent photograph of the resident.

DCF 57.38(1)(c) (c) Voluntary placement agreement or court order or both as appropriate.