DCF 56.04(4)(a)9. 9. A signed statement indicating that the applicant has received the following information provided by the agency:

DCF 56.04(4)(a)9.a. a. A brochure that explains the foster care reimbursement and rate structure, including the clothing allowance.

DCF 56.04(4)(a)9.b. b. A brochure that explains the foster parent insurance program and information regarding how to file a claim with that program.

DCF 56.04(4)(a)9.c. c. Notice that the licensing agency may contact the Wisconsin department of justice and any similar agency in another jurisdiction, any federal or local law enforcement agency, any social services agency, or any other public or private agency to determine if there is any reason specified under s. 48.685, Stats., ch. DCF 12, s. DCF 56.05 (1) (a) 3., or any other part of this chapter for the applicant to not be granted a license.

DCF 56.04(4)(a)10. 10. Other documentation or authorizations required by the licensing agency for its review of the application.

DCF 56.04(4)(b) (b) License renewal. An applicant for renewal of a license shall submit all of the following to the licensing agency at least 30 days before expiration of the current license:

DCF 56.04(4)(b)1. 1. An application form completed and signed by the applicant. Married persons living together shall both sign the application. Any household member who will act in the role of foster parent shall sign the application.

DCF 56.04(4)(b)2. 2. Verification of homeowner’s or renter’s insurance coverage required under s. DCF 56.05 (4) or a request for a waiver under s. DCF 56.05 (5), and verification of vehicle liability insurance required under s. DCF 56.05 (3) if the applicant plans to transport foster children in the applicant’s own vehicle. Verification means that the licensing agency representative has personally seen the appropriate documentation. A licensing agency need not retain a copy of the documentation in its files.

DCF 56.04(4)(b)3. 3. Documentation of fire safety inspection of the foster home, if required by the licensing agency.

DCF 56.04(4)(b)4. 4. A private water supply test report for the foster home, if required by the licensing agency.

DCF 56.04(4)(b)5. 5. If required by the licensing agency, a written statement from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner that indicates any physical or mental conditions of any household member that would affect the ability of the family to provide care for a foster child or threaten the health or safety of a foster child. The statement shall be based upon a medical examination performed within the previous 6 months.

DCF 56.04(4)(b)5m. 5m. If a member of the household of an applicant who is a relative of a foster child is not covered by health insurance or a medical examination would be a significant financial burden to the household member, the licensing agency may grant an exception to the requirement in subd. 3. If the licensing agency grants this exception, the household member shall submit a personally signed statement that indicates any physical or mental conditions the household member has that would affect the ability of the family to provide care for a foster child or threaten the health or safety of a foster child.

DCF 56.04(4)(b)6. 6. Other documentation or authorizations required by the licensing agency for its review of the application.

DCF 56.04(4)(c) (c) License modifications.

DCF 56.04(4)(c)1. 1. A licensing agency may modify a foster home license. An applicant for a license may request modification of the license at the time of the initial licensure. A licensee may request modification of the license at any time during the effective period of the license.

DCF 56.04(4)(c)2. 2. An applicant for license modification shall obtain a license modification application form from the licensing agency and shall submit a completed and signed application form and other materials required by the licensing agency to that agency within the following time limits:

DCF 56.04(4)(c)2.a. a. Before the date the licensee plans to change location from the location specified on the current license.

DCF 56.04(4)(c)2.b. b. Before the date an applicant wishes to have one or more license conditions changed.

DCF 56.04(4)(c)2.c. c. No later than 30 days before the date the marital status of the licensee changes.

DCF 56.04(4)(c)2.d. d. Within 10 days after a household member leaves.

DCF 56.04(4)(c)2.e. e. At least 30 days before someone enters the household when this is known that far in advance or otherwise as soon as possible before that person enters the household.

DCF 56.04(5) (5) Action by the licensing agency.

DCF 56.04(5)(a) (a) Except as provided in par. (b) or (c), within 60 days after receiving a completed application for a foster home license, for renewal of the foster home license or for a license modification, the licensing agency shall approve the application and issue the license, deny the application or approve the modification. Any delay that is the result of an act or omission on the part of the applicant shall not be considered in the 60-day time limit. If the application for a license, relicensure or license modification is denied, the licensing agency shall give the applicant reasons in writing for the denial and shall provide information on how an appeal may be requested under s. DCF 56.10.

DCF 56.04(5)(b) (b) A licensing agency shall be allowed one 30-day extension of the time limit under par. (a) if the extension is needed to allow the agency to collect information necessary to make an informed decision, such as to obtain a criminal records check or responses from references. The agency shall notify the applicant or licensee if an extension is necessary.

DCF 56.04(5)(c) (c) If the foster home license application is for a pre-adoptive placement, the licensing agency shall either approve the application and issue the license or deny the application within 6 calendar months after receipt of the completed application. If the application for a license is denied, the licensing agency shall give the applicant reasons, in writing, for the denial and shall provide information on how an appeal may be requested under s. DCF 56.10.

DCF 56.04(6) (6) Discrimination. A licensing agency may not discriminate against an applicant for a foster home license or a foster parent applying for renewal of a foster home license on the basis of age, sex, race, color, creed, sexual orientation, national origin or handicap.

DCF 56.04(7) (7) Effective period of a license. A foster home license shall be effective for a period not to exceed 2 years and may be renewed upon successful completion of relicensing requirements.

DCF 56.04(8) (8) Notification of application for or issuance of additional licenses. A licensee who applies to any licensing authority for or is issued any other license in addition to the foster home license shall notify the agency that issued the foster home license. No licensee may hold any other license to operate a foster home under this chapter or a group home under ch. DCF 57.

DCF 56.04 History History: CR 00-020: cr. Register February 2002 No. 554, eff. 3-1-02; corrections in (3) (a), (b), (4) (a) 2., 3., 9., (b) 2., (5) (a), (c) and (8) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; EmR0937: emerg. revisions as in CR 10-021 (except for (4) (a) 5m.), eff. 1-1-10; CR 10-021: am. (4) (a) 2., (b) 2. and (c) 1., r. and recr. (4) (a) 3., 4., and (b) 5., cr. (4) (a) 5m. and (b) 5m. Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10; correction to numbering of (4) (a) 5m. made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 1., Stats., Register September 2010 No. 657; EmR1050: emerg. r. and recr. (2), (4) (a) 5m., am. (8), eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-148: r. and recr. (2), (4) (a) 5m., am. (8) Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; CR 16-014: renum. (3) (intro.) to (3), r. (3) (a), (b), am. (4) (a) 9. c. Register June 2016 No. 726, eff. 7-1-16; CR 21-107: am. (4) (a) 2., 4., (b) 2., 5m. Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.