Chapter DCF 56

DCF 56.14(7)(b) (b)

DCF 56.14(7)(b)1. 1. Trainers for the Level 2 initial licensing training shall be an agency staff person or contractor and a foster or adoptive parent.

DCF 56.14(7)(b)2. 2. Notwithstanding subd. 1., a foster parent may attend an initial licensing training for which no foster or adoptive parent is a trainer if the licensing agency approves and provides opportunities for the foster parent attending the training to participate in activities or programs that promote networking among foster parents and provide an opportunity for an experienced foster parent to answer questions from the new foster parent.

DCF 56.14(7)(c) (c) A foster parent who operates a Level 2 foster home that is licensed before January 1, 2011, shall complete the initial licensing training before January 1, 2015, except as provided under par. (d).

DCF 56.14(7)(d) (d) A foster parent who operates a Level 2 foster home that is licensed before January 1, 2011, and who provides verification to the licensing agency that the foster parent successfully completed a competency-based, pre-service foster parent training as described in the department’s DCFS Memo Series 2002-12 is not required to comply with par. (c).

DCF 56.14 Note Note: DCFS Memo Series 2002-12 was issued on September 18, 2002. It is available at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/cwportal/policy/pdf/memos/2002-12.pdf. Acceptable competency-based, pre-service foster parent training includes the Partners in Alternative Care Education (PACE) curriculum.

DCF 56.14(7e) (7e) Initial licensing training for Level 3. The initial licensing training for a foster parent who operates a Level 3 foster home shall include information on all of the following:

DCF 56.14(7e)(a) (a) Crisis management.

DCF 56.14(7e)(b) (b) Sexuality and sexual boundaries.

DCF 56.14(7e)(c) (c) Sexual abuse.

DCF 56.14(7e)(d) (d) Effects of maltreatment and trauma on child development.

DCF 56.14(7e)(e) (e) Building life skills.

DCF 56.14(7e)(f) (f) Building birth family and cultural connections.

DCF 56.14(7e)(g) (g) Other topics required by the licensing agency.

DCF 56.14(7m) (7m) Initial licensing training for Level 4. The initial licensing training for a foster parent who operates a Level 4 foster home shall include information on all of the following:

DCF 56.14(7m)(a) (a) The topics listed in sub. (7e).

DCF 56.14(7m)(b) (b) Six hours of child-specific or population-specific training.

DCF 56.14(7s) (7s) Initial licensing training for Level 5 program managers. The initial licensing training for a foster parent who is a program manager for a Level 5 foster home shall include information on all of the following:

DCF 56.14(7s)(a) (a) The topics listed in sub. (7e).

DCF 56.14(7s)(b) (b) Six hours of child-specific or population-specific training.

DCF 56.14(8) (8) Ongoing training.

DCF 56.14(8)(a) (a) Individualized training plan. At the time of renewal of a license to operate a foster home, the licensing agency and the foster parent shall evaluate the foster parent’s overall performance and develop an individualized training plan for the foster parent based on the foster parent’s demonstrated need for training in particular topics or in managing specific case situations.

DCF 56.14(8)(b) (b) Licensing agency approval. The licensing agency shall approve a foster parent’s ongoing training based on the following:

DCF 56.14(8)(b)1. 1. The content of the training shall meet at least one of the purposes of foster parent training under sub. (1) and conform with the foster parent’s individualized training plan, unless a greater training need is demonstrated after the plan was developed.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)1g. 1g. In addition to subd. 1., the content of ongoing training for a foster parent who operates a Level 4 foster home shall include 8 hours of child-specific or population-specific training.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)1r. 1r. In addition to subd. 1., the content of ongoing training for program managers and program staff for a Level 5 foster home shall include all of the following:

DCF 56.14(8)(b)1r.a. a. Child maltreatment and reporting requirements.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)1r.b. b. Prompt and adequate treatment.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)1r.c. c. Any required reauthorizations for first aid, blood-borne pathogens, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)1r.d. d. Eight hours of child-specific or population-specific training.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2. 2. The format of the training may include any of the following:

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2.a. a. Face-to-face consultation with professionals with expertise in specific identified areas.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2.b. b. Video, audio, and web-based presentations.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2.c. c. Support groups.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2.d. d. Adult education courses.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2.e. e. Books, periodicals, and web-based resources.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2.f. f. Television and radio presentations.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2.g. g. Mentor family consultations.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)2.h. h. Conferences, workshops, seminars, and webinars.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)3. 3. The total credit given for training using books, periodicals, and web-based resources under subd. 2. e. and television and radio presentations under subd. 2. f. may not exceed 20 percent of the required hours.

DCF 56.14(8)(b)4. 4. The cost of a particular training option and the usefulness of the skills or knowledge that is expected to be gained shall be considered.

DCF 56.14(8)(c) (c) Department as training resource. The department shall maintain an inventory of resources for foster parent training and shall coordinate statewide, regional, and local training programs to prevent duplication of effort.

DCF 56.14 History History: EmR0937: emerg. cr. eff. 1-1-10; CR 10-021: cr. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10; corrections in (1), (5) (a), (6) (b) and (7) (b) to (d) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1. and 7., Stats., Register September 2010 No. 657; EmR1050: emerg. renum. (4), (7) (b) to be (4) (a), (7) (b) 1. and am., cr. (4) (b), (6d), (6h), (6p), (6t), (7e), (7m), (7s), (8) (b) 1g., 1r., am. (6) (title), (a) (intro.), (b), (7) (title), (a) (intro.), (c), (d), (8) (b) 3., eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-148: renum. (4), (7) (b) to be (4) (a), (7) (b) 1. and am., cr. (4) (b), (6d), (6h), (6p), (6t), (7) (b) 2., (7e), (7m), (7s), (8) (b) 1g., 1r., am. (6) (title), (a) (intro.), (b), (7) (title), (a) (intro.), (c), (d), (8) (b) 3. Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; EmR1633: emerg. am. (6) (a) 3., eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-051: am. (6) (a) 3. Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; correction in (5) (c) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register August 2018 No. 752; CR 21-107: am. (7) (d), (8) (a) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.

DCF 56.15 DCF 56.15 Supervising agency.

DCF 56.15(1) (1) Agency responsibilities.

DCF 56.15(1)(a) (a) A supervising agency shall do, or contract for, all of the following for each child in the agency’s care:

DCF 56.15(1)(a)1. 1. Ensure that every child is assigned a supervising agency caseworker, in coordination with the placing agency, if different.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)2. 2. Provide the foster parent with the telephone number of a social worker or supervising agency caseworker who will provide crisis intervention, emergency counseling, and related services on a 24-hour per day, 7-day per week basis for the foster parent.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)3. 3. Support and assist the foster parent to effectively fulfill responsibilities in this chapter and to the child’s team or treatment team.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)4. 4. When a school-age child is placed in a foster home, notify the school district in which the foster home is located and the school in which the child will enroll, unless the child will remain enrolled in his or her school district and school of origin. If the child will remain enrolled in his or her school and school district of origin, the supervising agency shall give notification of the placement to the child’s school district and school of origin., as required under s. 48.64 (1r), Stats. The notification shall include all of the following:

DCF 56.15(1)(a)4.a. a. The name, address, and phone number of the foster parent.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)4.b. b. The name of the foster child.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)4.c. c. Information about the child required by the school, as allowed under any applicable confidentiality laws.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)4.d. d. The name and contact information for the caseworker or social worker assigned to the child’s case.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)5. 5. Advocate for the child with the child’s school, medical facility, or any other program in which the child is involved to ensure that services provided to the child are consistent with the case plan; permanency plan; and treatment plan, if applicable.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)6. 6. Assist the foster parents with any necessary arrangements in an emergency situation.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)7. 7. Arrange for care of a foster child in the event that the foster parent is unavailable to provide care on a temporary basis, in conjunction with the foster parent.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)8. 8. Prior to or at the time of placement of a child with a foster parent, the supervising agency shall explain to the foster parent the child-specific considerations that the foster parent is required to take into account when applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard, as documented on the forms required under ch. DCF 37, and provide the foster parent with the brochure required under s. DCF 56.12 (1) (h).

DCF 56.15(1)(a)9. 9. Provide updated information to the foster parent about child-specific considerations for reasonable and prudent parenting decisions throughout the child’s placement through team or treatment team meetings and when there is a significant change in circumstances.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)10. 10. Notify the placing agency of any updates to information about the child that were not included in the forms provided to the foster parent at the time of placement under ch. DCF 37, if the supervising agency and placing agency are not the same agency.

DCF 56.15 Note Note: The forms provided 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 56.15(1)(a)11. 11. Assist the foster parent and child with overcoming barriers to the child’s participation in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities that promote normalcy in an age and developmentally appropriate manner.

DCF 56.15(1)(a)12. 12. Assist with resolving a conflict among members of the child’s team or treatment team on the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard.

DCF 56.15(1)(b) (b) In addition to the requirements under par. (a), a licensing or supervising agency shall do all of the following for each child with a level of need of 3 or higher in the agency’s care who is placed in a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification:

DCF 56.15(1)(b)1. 1. Provide the foster parent with the telephone number of a supervising agency caseworker, counselor, clinical consultant, or clinical staff member who will provide crisis intervention, emergency counseling, and related services to the foster parent on a 24-hour per day, 7-day per week basis.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)2. 2. Respond to a request from a foster parent for crisis intervention, emergency counseling, and related services within one hour.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)3. 3. Provide or arrange for additional child care personnel during stressful or critical periods, as determined by the treatment team.

DCF 56.15 Note Note: An example of a stressful or critical period might be the time from the end of the school day until bedtime.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)4. 4. Assist and support the foster parent in obtaining any medical supplies and services required for the child. If required medical supplies and services are not included in the treatment plan, the supervising agency and placing agency shall revise the treatment plan to include the required medical supplies and services and to determine financial responsibility.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)5. 5. Ensure that a child with a severe emotional disturbance has a clinical consultant assigned to the case. A social worker, caseworker, or other professional involved with the case may also serve as the clinical consultant. The clinical consultant shall have all of the following qualifications:

DCF 56.15(1)(b)5.a. a. A master’s degree in social work, psychology, child development, or counseling.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)5.b. b. A license or certification under ch. 457, Stats., and ch. MPSW 3, 6, 11, 12, or 17.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)5.c. c. A minimum of 2 years of experience working with seriously disturbed adolescents.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)5.d. d. Knowledge of the neurological, biological, and psychiatric components of emotional disturbances.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)6. 6. Evaluate the child’s progress and provide services identified in the aftercare plan following termination of a placement. The child’s treatment team shall determine how long these services shall be provided. The aftercare plan shall identify follow-up support services for the child, the child’s parent, or other care providers, including any of the following:

DCF 56.15(1)(b)6.a. a. Phone contact.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)6.b. b. Consultations by professionals in the child’s home to assist the child’s family implement the permanency plan, provide skill training for specific problems, and provide support for the child’s family.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)6.c. c. Participation in parent groups.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)6.d. d. Crisis intervention.

DCF 56.15(1)(b)6.e. e. For youth who will live independently, follow-up support services may include housing assistance, job location, and individual support.

DCF 56.15(1m) (1m) Multiple agencies. If more than one agency is performing supervising responsibilities under subs. (1) and (3), the agencies shall specify in writing which agency is responsible for each requirement.

DCF 56.15(2) (2) Qualifications for supervising agency caseworker for Level 3 to 5. A supervising agency caseworker shall have all of the following qualifications to perform the responsibilities under sub. (3) for a child with a level of need of 3 or higher in the agency’s care who is placed in a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification:

DCF 56.15(2)(a) (a) One of the following:

DCF 56.15(2)(a)1. 1. A master’s degree or higher in a social work or related field.

DCF 56.15(2)(a)2. 2. A bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 2 years of post-degree experience in a social work-related field.

DCF 56.15(2)(b) (b) Licensed or certified under ch. 457, Stats., and ch. MPSW 3, 6, 11, 12, or 17.

DCF 56.15(3) (3) Responsibilities of supervising agency caseworker for Levels 3 to 5. A caseworker employed by or under contract to the supervising agency shall do all of the following regarding a child with a level of need of 3 or higher in the agency’s care who is placed in a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification:

DCF 56.15(3)(a) (a) Coordinate assessments of the child.

DCF 56.15(3)(b) (b) Select the appropriate foster home for a child after careful consideration of how well a prospective foster family will do all of the following: