DCF 56.13(6)(a)1.c.c. A minimum of 500 hours of experience as a respite care provider for children under the supervision of a human services agency. DCF 56.13(6)(a)1.e.e. A college, vocational, technical, or advanced degree in the area of a child’s treatment needs, such as nursing, medicine, social work, or psychology. DCF 56.13(6)(a)1.f.f. A substantial relationship with the child to be placed through previous professional or personal experience. DCF 56.13(6)(a)1.g.g. Work or personal experience for which the applicant has demonstrated the knowledge, skill, ability, and motivation to meet the needs of children with a level of need of 4. DCF 56.13(6)(a)2.2. If an applicant for certification to operate a Level 4 foster home relies on experience that meets the requirements in subd. 1. b. or f. as one of the 4 required criteria in this paragraph, the applicant shall also meet one of the criteria in subd. 1. a., c., e., or g. DCF 56.13(6)(b)1.1. Each foster parent who operates a Level 4 foster home shall complete a minimum of 40 hours of pre-placement training under s. DCF 56.14 (6h) before or after initial licensure but prior to the placement of any child in the home. DCF 56.13(6)(b)2.2. Each foster parent who operates a Level 4 foster home shall complete a minimum of 30 hours of initial licensing training under s. DCF 56.14 (7e) during the initial licensing period. DCF 56.13(6)(b)3.3. Each foster parent who operates a Level 4 foster home shall complete 24 hours of ongoing training under s. DCF 56.14 (8) in each 12-month period of licensure subsequent to the initial licensing period. DCF 56.13(6)(c)(c) References. An applicant for certification to operate a Level 4 foster home shall submit at least 4 favorable reference letters as follows: DCF 56.13(6)(c)1.a.a. Three of the letters shall be written by persons unrelated to the applicant. At least one of these reference letters shall be regarding the applicant’s qualifications under par. (a) 1., excluding par. (a) 1. d. DCF 56.13(6)(c)1.b.b. The fourth favorable reference letter shall be from a relative, preferably from an adult child if applicable. DCF 56.13(6)(c)2.2. ‘Content.’ Each reference letter shall include a statement indicating all of the following: DCF 56.13(7)(a)(a) Need for Level 5. An applicant for certification to operate a Level 5 foster home, in conjunction with a licensing agency, may apply to the department exceptions panel if all of the following circumstances exist: DCF 56.13(7)(a)1.a.a. The child has behaviors or conditions that require a high degree of supervision and overnight awake care that is provided by program staff who rotate shifts within a 24-hour period. DCF 56.13(7)(a)1.b.b. The child will benefit from a home-like environment that has fewer children than a group home or residential care center for children and youth. DCF 56.13(7)(a)1.c.c. The child is expected to need long-term care or has needs agreed to by the department. DCF 56.13(7)(a)2.2. All other community placement options have been investigated and determined to be unavailable or not in the best interest of the child. DCF 56.13 NoteNote: A foster home with a Level 4 or lower certification level and additional staff that provide less than 50% of a child’s care should be considered as the first option when the child needs additional treatment or services.
DCF 56.13(7)(b)(b) Clarify specific and limited circumstances before submitting an application. Prior to submitting an application to operate a Level 5 foster home, a licensing agency shall inform the department exceptions panel chairperson of the agency’s intent, discuss the agency’s plans, and clarify department requirements for certification of a Level 5 foster home. DCF 56.13(7)(c)(c) Application. An application for certification to operate a Level 5 foster home shall be on a form prescribed by the department and shall include all of the following: DCF 56.13(7)(c)1.1. A program description, information on personnel, and information on a specific child or the population to be served.