DCF 52.61 Note Note: A request for a hearing may be mailed to Division of Hearings and Appeals, P.O. Box 7875, Madison, WI 53707-7875 or faxed to [phone]. A copy of the request should be sent to Department of Children and Families, Division of Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison, WI 53703-8916.

DCF 52.61 History History: Cr. Register, February, 2000, No. 530, eff. 9-1-00; corrections in (4) and (7) (b) 3. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; EmR1414: emerg. am. (7) (a) 2. c. to e., eff. 8-1-14; CR 14-054: am. (1), (7) (a) 2. c. to e. Register April 2015 No. 712, eff. 5-1-15; CR 21-107: am. (7) (a) 2. (intro.) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.

DCF 52.62 DCF 52.62 Licensing administration.

DCF 52.62(1) (1) General conditions for approval of license. An applicant for a license under this chapter shall complete all application forms truthfully and accurately and pay all fees and forfeitures due and owing prior to receiving a license. The department shall issue a residential care center license to an applicant within 60 days based upon receipt and department approval of a properly completed application and a department investigation and determination that the applicant is fit and qualified. Continued licensure requires a licensee to remain fit and qualified. In determining whether an applicant is fit and qualified, the department shall consider any history of civil or criminal violation of statutes or regulations of the United States, this state, or any other state or other offenses substantially related to the care of children or adults by the applicant, owner, manager, representative, employee, center resident, or other individual directly or indirectly participating in the operation of the residential care center. This includes substantiated findings by a county social services or human services department of child abuse or neglect under s. 48.981, Stats., or substantiated reports of abuse of residents or patients under ch. 50, Stats., whether or not it results in criminal charges or convictions.

DCF 52.62(2) (2) Initial license application.

DCF 52.62(2)(a) (a) A person wanting a license to operate a residential care center for children and youth shall apply on a form provided by the department and shall include all information requested on the form and all related materials and information required under par. (c), along with the license fee required under s. 48.615, Stats. A complete application includes completion of all information requested on the application form and all related materials and information required under par. (c) and the license fee.

DCF 52.62 Note Note: An application form may be obtained by writing or telephoning any field office listed in Appendix D. The completed form and required related materials and information and the license fee should be returned to the field office responsible for the county where the center is located.

DCF 52.62(2)(b) (b) A complete application for a license shall be submitted to the department at least 60 days before the date proposed for the center to begin operating.

DCF 52.62(2)(c) (c) An applicant for a license shall submit all of the following information and materials along with the completed application form:

DCF 52.62(2)(c)1. 1. A copy of the certificate of need under s. DCF 52.61 (7) (b).

DCF 52.62(2)(c)2. 2. A statement signed by the applicant agreeing to comply with this chapter.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)3. 3. A completed and signed background information disclosure on a form prescribed by the department.

DCF 52.62 Note Note: DCF-F-2978-E, Background Information Disclosure is available in the forms section of the department’s website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/ or by writing or telephoning any field office listed in Appendix D. The background information disclosure form does not need to be notarized.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)4. 4. Diagrammatic floor plans of all center buildings showing all of the following:

DCF 52.62(2)(c)4.a. a. The location of all exits.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)4.b. b. All rooms to be used by residents with their dimensions and use.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)4.c. c. The number of residents and the age range of residents proposed for each living area.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)4.d. d. Rooms that are exclusively for male or female residents.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)4.e. e. For bathrooms, the number of toilets, tubs or showers and washbasins.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)5. 5. A diagram of the outdoor area of the center showing dimensions and all buildings, and a map of the surrounding area showing the location of the center.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)6. 6. The names, addresses and telephone numbers of 3 persons, other than relatives, who personally know the applicant.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)7. 7. A completed department-provided checklist indicating that the applicant complies with all requirements for initial licensure.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)8. 8. A description of other licenses or certifications currently held or expected to be obtained by the applicant, or business enterprises that will be a part of the operation of the residential care center or operating on the grounds of the residential care center.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)9. 9. For an applicant operating any other type of licensed children’s program or other human services program on the grounds of the center, a statement that describes how each program will remain separate and distinct.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)10. 10. A description of the organizational structure of the center, showing the chain of command and identifying staff members, with their titles and work schedules, who will be on the premises in charge of the center for all hours of operation. This document shall be signed by the applicant.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)11. 11. A copy of the report of an inspection by a local fire department or other fire safety inspection acceptable to the department showing approval of the facility for fire safety.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)12. 12. A copy of the approval of the center’s electrical system by an inspector certified under ch. SPS 316.

DCF 52.62(2)(c)13. 13. If the center gets its water from a private well, a letter indicating that the water is safe to drink according to tests made on water from the private well, as required under s. DCF 52.56 (1).

DCF 52.62(2)(c)14. 14. A copy of the Wisconsin department of safety and professional services building safety inspection approval or, if new construction, the Wisconsin department of safety and professional services building construction approval.