CR 25-043 Rule Text

DCF 56.25 Relative or like-kin foster homes. (1) Applicability. This section applies to a relative or like-kin of a child who is proposing to provide or is providing foster care for the child.

(2) No duplication of assessment. A licensing agency is not required to conduct an assessment of a licensing requirement in this chapter for the relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child if the requirement was already met in an assessment that was completed within the previous 6 months.

(3) Licensing. (a) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.04 (2) (a) and (3) (a), an applicant who is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child shall submit a completed application form that is prescribed by the department instead of the licensing agency.

Note: DCF-F-5863-E, Relative and Like-Kin Foster Care Application, is available on the department’s website at https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/cwportal/fc/forms.

(b) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.04 (8) (a), the licensing agency shall begin the background check of an applicant who is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child and any nonclient resident in the home within 5 working days instead of 10 working days.

(c) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.04 (8) (b), the licensing agency shall make a decision on the application of a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child within 10 working days after receiving all necessary information instead of 60 working days.

(d) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.04 (12), the license of a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child shall terminate 6 months after the foster child achieves permanency if that occurs prior to the end of the 2-year licensing period.

(e) Section DCF 56.04 (2) (b), (e), (f), (g), (h), (j), (k), (L), and (m), (3) (d), (e), (g), and (h), (i), and (j), (5) (b) and (c), and (14) do not apply to a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child.

(4) Foster parent qualifications. (a) In addition to other requirements in s. DCF 56.05, at least one foster parent in a foster home shall be a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child placed in the home or intended to be placed in the home.

(b) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.05 (6) (a) (intro.), in lieu of that provision, the following provision shall apply in the case of a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child: As evidenced through communication with the foster parent and the use of the department’s assessment system, a foster parent shall have or exhibit all of the following characteristics to a degree that will allow the foster parent to adequately provide foster care services:

(c) Section DCF 56.05 (3), (4), (6) (a) 4. and 5., (7) (a) 3., 4., and (8), do not apply to a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child.

(d) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.05 (9) (c), an applicant who is a relative of, or like-kin to a foster child may request a waiver of homeowner’s or renter’s liability insurance by attesting on the application under s. DCF 56.25 (3) (a) that the insurance policy that they had was canceled or payment of the premium for the required insurance would cause undue financial hardship.

(5) Notification requirements. Section DCF 56.06 (5) does not apply to a foster parent who is a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child.

(6) Physical environment. (a) The licensing agency shall make diligent efforts to assist an applicant who is a relative of, or like-kin to a foster child with obtaining the required items in s. DCF 56.07 to expedite the licensing process.

(b) In addition to other requirements in s. DCF 56.07 (1) (a), any area of the foster home of a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child that the foster child has access to shall be free from environmental hazards that significantly impact human health. If an environmental hazard is identified, the placing or licensing agency shall make diligent efforts to assist the foster parent with ameliorating it.

(c) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.07 (4) (a), in lieu of that provision, the following provision shall apply in the case of a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child: A foster parent shall provide a safe sleeping space with sleeping supplies, such as a mattress and linens, for each foster child, as appropriate for the foster child’s needs and age and similar to other household members.

(d) Section DCF 56.07 (1) (b) to (d), (2), (3), (4) (c) to (L), (5), (6) (c), (9) (b), and (10) (b) do not apply to a foster parent who is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child.

(7) Transportation. Section DCF 56.078 (1) and (5) do not apply to a foster parent who is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child.

(8) Care of a foster child. Section DCF 56.09 (2) (a) and (8) (e) do not apply to a foster parent who is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child.

(9) Foster home level of care certification for levels 1 to 4. (a) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.13 (4) (a) 1., with respect to a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child, the preplacement training shall be completed before or after the placement of a child but no later than 6 months after the date of initial licensure.

(b) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.13 (5) (a) 1., in lieu of that provision, the following provision shall be an option for the required experience with respect to a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child: A minimum of one year of experience with a child residing in the applicant’s home.

(c) Notwithstanding s. DCF 56.13 (6) (a) 1., in lieu of that provision, the following provision shall be an option for the required experience with respect to a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child: A minimum of one year of experience with a child with needs that require additional supervision and care.

(d) Section DCF 56.13 (3), (4) (a) 2. and 3., (b), (5) (c), and (6) (c) do not apply to a foster parent who is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child.

(10) Foster parent training. (a) Notwithstanding ss. DCF 56.13 (4) (a) 1., (5) (b) 1., 2., and 3., (6) (b) 1., 2. and 3., and 56.14 (5) (a), with respect to a relative of, or like-kin to, a foster child, only one of the foster parents of a foster home is required to complete any preplacement, initial licensing, or ongoing training required for the foster home’s level of care certification under s. DCF 56.13, except a proposed adoptive parent under s. DCF 56.14 (5) (c).

(b) Section 56.14 (7) does not apply to a foster parent who is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child.

(11) Licensing agency responsibilities. Section DCF 56.16 (1) (e) does not apply when the foster parent is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child.

(12) Assessment of needs and strengths. Section DCF 56.22 (6) does not apply to a foster child whose proposed foster parent is a relative of, or like-kin to, the foster child.

SECTION 121. DCF 56 Appendix A is repealed.

SECTION 122. INITIAL APPLICABILITY. This rule first applies to an application for a license to operate a foster home that is submitted on the effective date of the rule.

SECTION 123. EFFECTIVE DATE. This rule shall take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Administrative Register, as provided in s. 227.22 (2) (intro.), Stats.