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)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.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)(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 HistoryHistory: 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. DCF 56.05(1)(a)1.1. A person licensed to operate a foster home shall be a responsible, mature individual who is fit and qualified, exercises sound judgment, displays the capacity to successfully nurture foster children, does not abuse alcohol or drugs, and does not have a criminal conviction, pending criminal charge, or a finding by a governmental body of a civil or criminal violation of statutes, regulations, or ordinances that is substantially related to the care of children or the operation of a foster home. In determining whether a criminal conviction, pending criminal charge, or finding by a governmental body is substantially related to the care of children or the operation of a foster home, the licensing agency shall apply the factors in s. DCF 12.06. DCF 56.05(1)(a)2.2. The applicant or licensee shall give truthful and sufficient information to enable the licensing agency to verify whether or not the applicant or licensee meets the requirements under subd. 1. DCF 56.05(1)(a)3.3. In determining whether a person is fit and qualified, the licensing agency shall consider the person’s qualifications under this section and whether the person has a criminal conviction, pending criminal charge, or any finding by a governmental body of a civil or criminal violation of statutes, regulations, or ordinances of the United States, this state, any other state, any local government, or any other U.S. jurisdiction that is substantially related to the care of children or the operation of a foster home. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.1. ‘All foster parents.’ As evidenced through interviews with foster family members, the use of formalized assessment systems, communication with references, and other methods considered to be effective components of a comprehensive foster home study, a licensee shall have or exhibit all of the following characteristics to a degree that will allow the licensee to adequately provide foster care services: DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.a.a. An adequate understanding of what it means to be a foster child and a recognition of a child’s strengths and needs consistent with the child’s age and abilities, or a motivation to learn. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.b.b. A history of managing or an indication of the ability to manage stress related to economic resources, employment, home, neighborhood, family size, health problems, or other factors and an indication of an ability to cope with an additional stress factor of the placement of a foster child. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.e.e. An outlook regarding the licensee’s own history that indicates that any negative aspects have been recognized and adequately addressed. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.f.f. Parenting ability appropriate to the age, abilities, strengths, and needs of foster children to be placed in the licensee’s home or a motivation to learn. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.h.h. An adequate knowledge of child growth and development or a motivation to learn. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.i.i. Reasonably constructive social relationships and the ability to provide encouragement and understanding of a foster child’s need for positive social relationships. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.j.j. Effective intrafamilial communication and the existence of appropriate family roles, marital or other relationship stability, integration into the community, and organization in the home. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.k.k. An appropriate understanding of child abuse and neglect as a social problem or a motivation to learn. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.L.L. An appropriate understanding of the needs of children who have been abused or neglected and of parents who abuse or neglect their children or a motivation to learn. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.m.m. Adequate preparation of all family members to become a foster family, particularly preparation for the stress that having a foster child in the family may place on each family member. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.n.n. An appropriate motivation for applying to be a foster family and an ability to follow through on difficult endeavors. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.o.o. A willingness to work with the supervising agency, placing agency, licensing agency, and the biological or adoptive parents in achieving a foster child’s permanence goal as established in the child’s permanency plan. DCF 56.05(1)(b)1.p.p. A willingness to promote normalcy for a foster child by encouraging the child to participate in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities under s. DCF 56.09 (2m). DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.2. ‘Level 3 to 5.’ In addition to the requirements under subd. 1., a foster parent who operates a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification shall have the following knowledge, skills, and qualifications prior to placement of a child in the foster home: DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.a.a. Knowledge of the specific behavioral, emotional, or physical conditions; symptomology; and treatment and care needs of the child to be placed. DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.b.b. Knowledge of the operation of any specialized equipment and emergency back-up systems for the child to be placed. DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.c.c. Recognition of escalating symptoms or side-effects of the child’s condition and appropriate responses. DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.d.d. Knowledge of the medications, services, and treatments of the child to be placed. DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.e.e. Knowledge of the care requirements and techniques required for the child to be placed. DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.f.f. A demonstrated commitment to providing care for a child with serious treatment needs. DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.g.g. Commitment and time to receive the required pre-placement, initial, and ongoing training. DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.i.i. A demonstrated capacity to deal effectively with the dependency needs of the child. DCF 56.05(1)(b)2.j.j. Availability at all times except when respite care under s. DCF 56.21 or other arrangements for care of the child have been made with the supervising or licensing agency. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.1. ‘All foster parents.’ The licensee shall be familiar with the requirements of this chapter and do all of the following: DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.b.b. Participate in the selection of and accept foster children for care only in conformity with the conditions specified on the license and with the approval of the licensing and supervising agencies. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.c.c. Cooperate fully with the licensing agency and any other agency responsible for supervising foster children in the licensee’s care and keep the licensing agency and any other responsible agency informed of each child’s progress and problems. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.d.d. Immediately notify the licensing agency of any change in the job or work schedule of a foster parent who works outside the home and notify the licensing agency of any impact this change will have on the licensee’s ability to provide foster care. DCF 56.05 NoteNote: See similar language related to in-home employment at s. DCF 56.09 (2) (a). DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.e.e. Cooperate and assist with efforts of the supervising agency to maintain relationships between foster children and their families and with the agency’s efforts to implement plans for care and treatment and for arranging a permanent living arrangement as required under s. 48.38 or 938.38, Stats. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.f.f. Allow the supervising agency up to 30 days in which to make an alternate placement when the licensee asks that a foster child be removed from the home. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.g.g. Maintain in confidence all personal information about foster children and their families. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.i.i. Attend training sessions, permanency plan reviews, and other meetings as required by the licensing, supervising, or placing agency. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.j.j. Provide a respite care provider with written and verbal information regarding the specific care needs of a child each time respite care is used. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.k.k. Provide or arrange for a child’s necessary transportation, unless otherwise determined by the child’s team or treatment team. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.L.L. Advocate for the child with the child’s school system and have primary responsibility for communication with the school, unless otherwise determined by the child’s team or treatment team. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.m.m. Implement the child’s case plan, and if applicable treatment plan, cooperatively and consistently. DCF 56.05(1)(c)1.o.o. Apply the reasonable and prudent parent standard when making decisions concerning a foster child’s participation in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities under s. DCF 56.09 (2m). DCF 56.05(1)(c)2.2. ‘Foster home with Level 3 to 5 certification.’ In addition to the requirements under subd. 1., a foster parent who operates a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification shall do all of the following, unless otherwise determined by the treatment team: DCF 56.05(1)(c)2.a.a. Participate as an active team member in the development, implementation, and evaluation of the treatment plan goals and objectives. DCF 56.05(1)(c)2.b.b. Assume primary responsibility for implementing in-home care and treatment strategies specified in the treatment plan. DCF 56.05(1)(c)2.d.d. Notify the appropriate treatment team member of any problems or concerns related to operating a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification. DCF 56.05(1)(c)2.e.e. Participate on a regularly scheduled basis, but at least annually, in the evaluation of the foster parent’s performance operating a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification under s. DCF 56.20. DCF 56.05(1)(d)(d) Age. No person younger than 21 years of age may be licensed to operate a foster home, except that a person 18 to 20 years of age may be licensed to provide foster care for a relative. DCF 56.05(1)(e)1.1. The applicant for an initial license to operate a foster home and all members of the household shall be free of physical or mental conditions that would interfere with the ability of the family to provide care for a foster child or threaten the health or safety of a foster child. DCF 56.05(1)(e)3.3. If, at any time, the licensing agency suspects or has reason to believe that the physical or mental health of an applicant, licensee or other household member may pose a threat to the health, safety or welfare of children in care, the licensing agency may require an alcohol or other drug abuse assessment or a physical health or mental health evaluation of the person as a condition for issuing or continuing the license. DCF 56.05(1)(f)(f) Background. The applicant or licensee and any nonclient residents in the applicant or licensee’s home shall comply with the requirements in s. 48.685, Stats., and s. DCF 56.055. DCF 56.05(1)(g)(g) Reporting background changes. An applicant or licensee shall immediately notify the licensing agency if any of the following applies to the applicant, licensee, or a nonclient resident in the home:
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Chs. DCF 021-99; Safety and Permanence
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