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.