DCF 52.12(2)(e)2.2. Have at least one year of successful experience working in a recognized child welfare residential setting for the type of resident population served by the center.

DCF 52.12(2)(e)3.3. Be certified as a child and youth care worker under the standards of the national organization of child and youth care workers association or other department-recognized certifying authority.

DCF 52.12(2)(f)(f) A person under sub. (1) (a) 6. responsible for center recreational programming under s. DCF 52.41 (4) shall meet the qualifications of a resident care worker under par. (e) and have demonstrated proficiency and at least 3 months experience conducting activities in one or more recreational program areas appropriate for populations served by the center.

DCF 52.12(2)(g)(g) Education staff under sub. (1) (a) 7., shall meet Wisconsin department of public instruction qualifications for the students served.

DCF 52.12(2)(h)(h) Each staff person working for a center shall, where a college or university degree is required under this subsection, have the degree from an accredited college or university.

DCF 52.12 NoteNote: For a list of accredited institutions of higher education in the Midwest, see “NCA Quarterly - Accredited Institutions of Post-Secondary Education” available from the North Central Associates of Colleges and Schools, 159 North Dearborn St., Chicago, Illinois 60601.

DCF 52.12(2)(i)(i) A center that hires or contracts for staff not identified under sub. (1) (a) having direct care or service involvement with residents shall, for those staff, also meet the requirements for employment applications under sub. (3), job descriptions and standards and confidentiality notification under sub. (4), staff training under sub. (5), staff supervision under sub. (6), child abuse and neglect reporting under sub. (9) and personnel records under sub. (10).

DCF 52.12(3)(a)(a) Before a center hires or contracts for any new staff, the center shall verify and document the qualifications of applicants considered for employment or service.

DCF 52.12(3)(b)(b) A center shall require an applicant for employment to complete and sign an application form. From the required application materials, the center shall obtain:

DCF 52.12(3)(b)1.1. The names of 2 persons not related to the prospective staff person who can vouch for the good character of the prospective staff person.

DCF 52.12(3)(b)2.2. Employment references. The center shall verify that the applicant was employed by persons listed as employers during the past 5 years.

DCF 52.12(3)(b)3.3. A completed background information disclosure form and background record checks as required under s. 48.685, Stats., and ch. DCF 12.

DCF 52.12 NoteNote: 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.

DCF 52.12(3)(c)(c) Upon receipt of an application, a center shall check references either by letter or phone and shall document the date of contact, the person making the contact and the person contacted and shall summarize the conversation concerning the character and experience of the person that would permit a judgment to be made about hiring or contracting, and what the relationship of the reference is to the prospective staff person or how the reference knows that person.

DCF 52.12(3)(d)(d) The center shall comply with the background records check provisions under ch. DCF 12 for the hiring or contracting of center staff who will have access to residents, including, as applicable, not hiring or contracting with a person to work in any position where the person would have direct, regular contact with residents if the person answers “yes” to any question on the DCF-F-2978-E background information form which would bar that person.

DCF 52.12 NoteNote: Refer to s. DCF 52.62 (1), General Conditions for Approval of License, with regard to the applicant or licensee being found fit and qualified to provide care to children.

DCF 52.12(3)(e)(e) A center shall require that each staff person before working with residents present a statement from a physician covering at least the areas included in a form prescribed by the department indicating that the staff person does not have a communicable disease, illness or disability that would interfere with the staff person’s ability to work with or care for residents.

DCF 52.12 NoteNote: Form CFS0384, Child Welfare Facility Staff Health Report, is available in the forms section of the department website at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov or by writing or calling any field office listed in Appendix D.

DCF 52.12(3)(f)(f) All staff shall have the ability and emotional stability to carry out their assigned functions and duties. Center staff whose behavior or mental or physical condition gives reasonable concern for safety of residents may not be in contact with residents in care. If, at any time, a center suspects or has reason to believe that the physical or mental health of a center employee or other person on the premises may pose a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of a resident in care, the center shall require an alcohol or drug abuse assessment or a physical or mental health evaluation of the person.

DCF 52.12(4)(4) Job descriptions and standards. A center shall provide each new staff member under sub. (1) (a) or (2) (i) with all of the following materials and place copies dated and signed by the staff member in the staff member’s personnel record:

DCF 52.12(4)(a)(a) A job description specifying the staff member’s roles and responsibilities.

DCF 52.12(4)(b)(b) Individual performance standards, including expected staff conduct toward residents.

DCF 52.12(4)(c)(c) A copy of a department form for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.

DCF 52.12(4)(d)(d) A statement calling attention to requirements under s. 48.78 or 938.78, Stats., and s. 51.30, Stats., for maintaining resident confidentiality.