Chapter DCF 57

DCF 57.26(4)(f)8. 8. Any injuries sustained by a resident, staff member, or other person and any medical care provided, including the name and title of the person providing the care.

DCF 57.26(4)(f)9. 9. Any follow-up debriefing provided to residents, staff members, and others.

DCF 57.26(5) (5) Procedures. A licensee shall create written procedures on all of the following:

DCF 57.26(5)(a) (a) Trauma-informed methods for staff members to follow to de-escalate a resident.

DCF 57.26(5)(b) (b) The use of a physical restraint under sub. (4).

DCF 57.26 History History: CR 26-005: cr. Register May 2026 No. 845, eff. 6-1-26.

DCF 57.27 DCF 57.27 Resident activities.

DCF 57.27(1) (1) Scheduling. A licensee shall establish and implement a daily schedule for all residents.

DCF 57.27(2) (2) Activities. A resident shall have access to activities based on their interests, including all of the following:

DCF 57.27(2)(a) (a) Leisure-time activities.

DCF 57.27(2)(b) (b) Opportunities to engage in social and recreational activities in the community.

DCF 57.27(2)(c) (c) Cultural and ethnic activities.

DCF 57.27(2)(d) (d) Vocational or volunteer activities.

DCF 57.27(2)(e) (e) Educational activities.

DCF 57.27(2)(f) (f) Religious training and practice.

DCF 57.27 History History: CR 26-005: cr. Register May 2026 No. 845, eff. 6-1-26.

DCF 57.28 DCF 57.28 Promoting normalcy.

DCF 57.28(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

DCF 57.28(1)(a) (a) “Age or developmentally appropriate” means to be generally accepted as suitable for children of a given chronological age or level of maturity or that are determined to be developmentally appropriate for a child based on the cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacities that are typical for children of a given age or age group or, in the case of a specific resident, activities that are suitable for the resident based on the cognitive, emotional, physical, and behavioral capacities of that resident.

DCF 57.28(1)(b) (b) “Normalcy” means a resident’s ability to easily engage in healthy and age or developmentally appropriate activities that promote their well-being, such as participation in social, scholastic, and enrichment activities.

DCF 57.28(1)(c) (c) “RPPS decision-maker” means a staff member who has successfully completed training on the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard and makes reasonable and prudent parenting decisions under this section.

DCF 57.28(2) (2) Similar to peers. A licensee shall promote normalcy and the healthy development of a resident by supporting the resident’s right to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, religious, and social activities and to have experiences that are similar to those of the resident’s peers of the same age, maturity, or development.

DCF 57.28(3) (3) RPPS decision-maker.

DCF 57.28(3)(a) (a) A staff member shall have access at all times to at least one RPPS decision-maker who is employed at the group home.

DCF 57.28(3)(b) (b) An RPPS decision-maker shall have knowledge of a resident and access to the resident’s treatment plan and other resident records under s. DCF 57.21 related to the decision-making factors in sub. (4) (b).

DCF 57.28(3)(c) (c) An RPPS decision-maker shall document on a form prescribed by the department any decision made under this section that requires written permission from the group home in lieu of the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian. The completed form shall be placed in the resident’s record under s. DCF 57.21 (1) (m).

DCF 57.28 Note Note: DCF-F-5124-E, Reasonable and Prudent Parent Decision Record, is available in the forms section of the department website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/forms.

DCF 57.28(4) (4) Reasonable and prudent parent standard.

DCF 57.28(4)(a) (a) Promote normalcy. An RPPS decision-maker shall promote normalcy for a resident by using the reasonable and prudent parent standard when making a decision about a resident’s participation in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities.

DCF 57.28(4)(b) (b) Decision-making factors. When applying the reasonable and prudent parent standard, the RPPS decision-maker shall consider all of the following:

DCF 57.28(4)(b)1. 1. The resident’s treatment plan.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)2. 2. The health, safety, and best interests of the resident.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)3. 3. The physical and emotional developmental level of the resident.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)4. 4. The resident’s wishes, as gathered by engaging the resident in an age-appropriate discussion about participation in the activity.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)5. 5. The cultural, religious, and tribal values of the resident and the resident’s family. If reasonably possible to do so, the RPPS decision-maker shall consult with the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian about the resident’s participation in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities and the resident’s cultural, religious, and tribal values in making decisions concerning the resident’s participation in those activities, but the RPPS decision-maker is not required to consult with the parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian about every decision affecting the resident. If the RPPS decision-maker is unable to consult with the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian, they shall consult with the placing agency about any cultural, religious, or tribal values to be considered.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)6. 6. Court orders and other legal considerations affecting the resident, including the prohibitions in par. (f).

DCF 57.28(4)(b)7. 7. Potential risks of the activity under consideration.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)8. 8. Whether the resident has the necessary training and safety equipment to safely participate in the activity under consideration.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)9. 9. Whether participating in the activity will provide experiences that are similar to the experiences of other residents in the group home.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)10. 10. Developmental activities of peers.

DCF 57.28(4)(b)11. 11. Information on the forms required under ch. DCF 37.

DCF 57.28 Note Note: The forms required under ch. DCF 37 are DCF-F-872A-E, Information for Out-of-Home Care Providers, Part A and DCF-F-872B-E, Information for Out-of-Home Care Providers, Part B.

DCF 57.28(4)(c) (c) Indian child. If the resident is an Indian child, the supervising agency shall ask the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian and the Indian child’s tribe about specific tribal values and customs and provide this information to the RPPS decision-maker.

DCF 57.28(4)(d) (d) Conflicting appointments. If an activity that promotes normalcy conflicts with a scheduled family interaction, therapy, or other appointment, the RPPS decision-maker shall consult with the resident’s child welfare professional about whether the activity may be accommodated.

DCF 57.28(4)(e) (e) Resident’s hair.

DCF 57.28(4)(e)1. 1. If a resident is under 12 years of age, the following provisions apply regarding the resident’s hair:

DCF 57.28(4)(e)1.a. a. The RPPS decision-maker may not provide hair care or authorize any hair care services that would significantly change the style, cut, or color of the resident’s hair without permission from the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian.

DCF 57.28(4)(e)1.b. b. The RPPS decision-maker may provide hair care or authorize hair care services needed to maintain the style, cut, and color of the resident’s hair.

DCF 57.28(4)(e)2. 2. A resident who is 12 years of age or older may make their own hair care decisions without authorization from the RPPS decision-maker or the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian.

DCF 57.28(4)(f) (f) Prohibitions. A RPPS decision-maker may not do any of the following:

DCF 57.28(4)(f)1. 1. Permit a resident to participate in an activity that would violate a court order or any federal or state statute, rule, or regulation.

DCF 57.28(4)(f)2. 2. Make decisions that conflict with the resident’s permanency plan or family interaction plan.

DCF 57.28(4)(f)3. 3. Consent to the resident’s marriage.

DCF 57.28(4)(f)4. 4. Authorize the resident’s enlistment in the U.S. armed forces.

DCF 57.28(4)(f)5. 5. Authorize medical, psychiatric, or surgical treatment for the resident beyond the terms of the consent for medical services authorized by the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian.

DCF 57.28(4)(f)6. 6. Represent the resident in legal actions or make other decisions of substantial legal significance.

DCF 57.28(4)(f)7. 7. Determine which school the resident attends or make a decision concerning the resident regarding an educational right or requirement that is provided in federal or state law.

DCF 57.28(4)(f)8. 8. Require or prohibit a resident’s participation in an age or developmentally appropriate activity solely for convenience or based solely on the RPPS decision-maker’s own values.

DCF 57.28(4)(g) (g) Procedure. A licensee shall develop a written procedure that specifies how staff members are to comply with the requirements in this section.

DCF 57.28 History History: CR 26-005: cr. Register May 2026 No. 845, eff. 6-1-26.

DCF 57.29 DCF 57.29 Health.

DCF 57.29(1) (1) Consent. Any medical examination or service provided to a resident shall be provided only by an individual licensed to perform the examination or service being provided. Before an examination or service is provided, written consent to perform the examination or service shall be obtained pursuant to the applicable law relating to the type of service and the age of the resident.

DCF 57.29 Note Note: DCF-F-CFS2379-E, Medical Services Consent – Child Welfare Facilities, is available in the forms section of the department website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/forms.

DCF 57.29(2) (2) Health care.

DCF 57.29(2)(a) (a) A licensee shall provide each resident with necessary and preventative medical, dental, and optical care consistent with the resident’s age-based periodicity schedule and whenever additional care is needed.

DCF 57.29(2)(b) (b) A licensee shall provide each resident with mental health care as needed based on the resident’s treatment plan and the recommendation of the resident’s mental health provider.

DCF 57.29(2)(c) (c) A licensee may not deny a resident access to confidential family planning and reproductive health services. 

DCF 57.29(3) (3) Medication storage. The licensee shall comply with all of the following requirements for storing medication:

DCF 57.29(3)(a) (a) Medication, including over-the-counter medication, shall be kept in the container in which it was purchased or prescribed.  

DCF 57.29(3)(b) (b) Medication shall be kept in a locked storage device in a location that is inaccessible to persons who do not have permission to access the medication.  

DCF 57.29(3)(c) (c) Medication shall be stored according to the requirements of each medication.  

DCF 57.29(4) (4) Medication administration.

DCF 57.29(4)(a) (a) Procedure. A licensee shall create a written procedure that specifies how a staff member is to do all of the following:

DCF 57.29(4)(a)1. 1. Administer a resident’s medication.

DCF 57.29(4)(a)2. 2. Observe the resident taking the medication.

DCF 57.29(4)(a)3. 3. Monitor the resident for side effects to the administered medication.

DCF 57.29(4)(a)4. 4. Monitor for reactions due to refusal of medication.

DCF 57.29(4)(a)5. 5. Abide by clinically acceptable standards for good medical practice.

DCF 57.29(4)(b) (b) Authorization.

DCF 57.29(4)(b)1. 1. The licensee may not allow a staff member to administer medication unless the staff member has received and reviewed the procedure under par. (a) and has been authorized in writing by the program director or group home manager to administer medication.

DCF 57.29(4)(b)2. 2. Prescription medication may be administered if there is a written order from the resident’s medical provider in the resident’s record authorizing the use of the medication.

DCF 57.29(4)(b)3. 3. Over-the-counter medication that is approved by the federal food and drug administration may be administered to a resident if it is not contraindicated with any other medication prescribed to the resident.

DCF 57.29(4)(b)4. 4. A licensee shall obtain approval from a medical provider before administering a dietary supplement, natural supplement, or vitamin that is not approved by the federal food and drug administration to a resident and shall follow the same procedure as specified in par. (c).

DCF 57.29(4)(b)5. 5. A licensee shall document the administration of the dietary supplement, natural supplement or vitamin as specified in sub. (5).

DCF 57.29(4)(c) (c) Medication instructions. A staff member shall review all of the following prior to administering a specific prescribed or over-the counter medication:

DCF 57.29(4)(c)1. 1. The condition for which the medication is being administered and the instructions for administering the prescribed medication as indicated on the label and any other instructions that came with the medication.

DCF 57.29(4)(c)2. 2. The instructions for administering an over-the-counter medication as indicated on the label, unless there are instructions in writing or verbally from a medical provider with alternative instructions on the dosage or how the medication should be administered.

DCF 57.29(4)(c)3. 3. Any other information that may be relevant to administration of the medication. 

DCF 57.29(5) (5) Medication administration record.