DCF 55.01(1) (1)Guardianships under s. 48.977, Stats.
DCF 55.01(2) (2)Guardianships under a Wisconsin tribal law that is substantially similar to s. 48.977, Stats., and as provided for in an agreement that includes the purpose of making subsidized guardianship payments to a guardian of an Indian child and that is made between a tribe and a county or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, between a tribe and the department.
DCF 55.01 Note Note: Before July 1, 2011, the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare administered a subsidized guardianship demonstration project that was authorized by a federal waiver and s. 48.62 (5), 2009 Stats.
DCF 55.01 History History: CR: 12-045: cr. Register May 2013 No. 689, eff. 6-1-13.
DCF 55.02 DCF 55.02Definitions. In this chapter:
DCF 55.02(1) (1)“Agency" means a county department of social services under s. 46.22, Stats.; a county department of human services under s. 46.23, Stats.; or, in a county having a population of 750,000 or more, the department.
DCF 55.02(2) (2)“Background information disclosure” means the form prescribed by the department on which a person provides information for purposes of the background check under s. 48.685, Stats.
DCF 55.02 Note Note: Form DCF-F-2978-E, Background Information Disclosure, is available in the forms section of the department website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or by writing to the Division of Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison WI 53708-8916.
DCF 55.02(3) (3)“Child" means a person less than 18 years of age, except as provided in s. DCF 55.10 (4).
DCF 55.02(4) (4)“Department" means the department of children and families.
DCF 55.02(5) (5)“Division of hearings and appeals" means a division in the department of administration.
DCF 55.02(5m) (5m)“Final substantiated finding" means all of the following:
DCF 55.02(5m)(a) (a) A final determination made after January 1, 2015, that a person has abused or neglected a child under s. 48.981 (3) (c) 5m., Stats., and s. DCF 40.04 if the final determination has not been reversed or modified on appeal.
DCF 55.02(5m)(b) (b) A determination made before January 1, 2015, that a person has abused or neglected a child under s. 48.981 (3) (c) 4., Stats., if the determination has not been reversed or modified on appeal.
DCF 55.02(6) (6)“Interim caretaker" means a person seeking or receiving payments under s. 48.623 (6) (am), Stats.
DCF 55.02(7) (7)“ Like-kin" means a person who has a significant emotional relationship with the child or the child's family and to whom any of the following applies:
DCF 55.02(7)(a) (a) Prior to the child's placement in out-of-home care, the person had an existing relationship with the child or the child's family that is similar to a familial relationship.
DCF 55.02(7)(b) (b) During the child's placement in out-of-home care, the person developed a relationship with the child or the child's family that is similar to a familial relationship and all of the following apply:
DCF 55.02(7)(b)1. 1. The person is a foster parent who has had a relationship with the child for at least 2 years.
DCF 55.02(7)(b)2. 2. The child is 14 years of age or older.
DCF 55.02(7)(b)3. 3. The child has been placed in out-of-home care for 15 out of the last 22 months.
DCF 55.02(7)(b)4. 4. The agency or court determines that placement with a fit and willing relative is not in the child's best interest.
DCF 55.02(8) (8)“Nonclient resident" has the same meaning as in s. DCF 12.02 (18).
DCF 55.02(9) (9)“Out-of-home care" for the purpose of sub. (7) means physical custody of a child or juvenile under any of the following paragraphs:
DCF 55.02(9)(a) (a) Sections 48.205 (1), 48.207, 48.208, 48.209, 48.21, 48.32, 48.345, 48.357, 48.363, or 48.365, Stats., or a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law.
DCF 55.02(9)(b) (b) Sections 938.205 (1), 938.207, 938.208, 938.209, 938.21, 938.32, 938.345, 938.357, 938.363, or 938.365, Stats., or a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law.
DCF 55.02(9)(c) (c) A voluntary placement agreement under s. 48.63 (1), Stats., or a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law.
DCF 55.02(10) (10)“Permanency plan" has the same meaning as in ss. 48.38 (1) (b) and 938.38 (1) (b), Stats.
DCF 55.02 Note Note: Sections 48.38 (1) and 938.38 (1) (b) provide that “permanency plan” means “a plan designed to ensure that a child is reunified with the child's family whenever appropriate, or that the child quickly attains a placement or home providing long-term stability.”
DCF 55.02(11) (11)“Relative" has the same meaning as in s. 48.02 (15), Stats.
DCF 55.02(12) (12)“Subsidized guardianship payment" means a payment pursuant to an agreement between an agency and a guardian entered into under s. 48.623, Stats., or s. 48.62 (5), 2009 Stats.
DCF 55.02(13) (13)“Supplemental payment" means the portion of a subsidized guardianship payment that is based on a child's identified needs.
DCF 55.02 History History: CR: 12-045: cr. Register May 2013 No. 689, eff. 6-1-13; CR 16-014: cr. (5m), am. (8) Register June 2016 No. 726, eff. 7-1-16; EmR1632: emerg. am. (3), (6), renum. (7) to (7) (intro.), (a) and am., cr. (7) (b), r. and recr. (11), eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-048: am. (3), (6), renum. (7) to (7) (intro.), (a) and am., cr. (7) (b), r. and recr. (11) Register April 2017 No. 736, eff. 5-1-17; CR 21-107: am. (2), (5m) (b) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.
DCF 55.03 DCF 55.03Eligibility.
DCF 55.03(1)(1)Child and guardian. An agency shall provide monthly subsidized guardianship payments to a guardian of a child under s. 48.977 (2), Stats., or under a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law and an agreement specified in s. DCF 55.01 (2), if the agency determines that all of the following apply:
DCF 55.03(1)(a) (a) The child meets all of the following conditions:
DCF 55.03(1)(a)1. 1. The child has been removed from the child's home under any of the following:
DCF 55.03(1)(a)1.a. a. A voluntary agreement under s. 48.63, Stats., or a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law.
DCF 55.03(1)(a)1.b. b. A Wisconsin court order or a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal court order containing a finding that continued placement of the child in the child's home would be contrary to the welfare of the child.
DCF 55.03(1)(a)2. 2. The child has been residing in the home of the prospective guardian for not less than 6 consecutive months immediately before guardianship is established.
DCF 55.03(1)(a)3. 3. Adoption of the child or return of the child to the child's home is not in the child's best interests.
DCF 55.03(1)(a)4. 4. The child demonstrates a strong attachment to the guardian.
DCF 55.03(1)(a)5. 5. If the child is 14 years of age or over, the child has been consulted regarding the guardianship arrangement.
DCF 55.03(1)(b) (b) The guardian meets all of the following conditions:
DCF 55.03(1)(b)1. 1. The guardian is a relative of the child or like-kin to the child.
DCF 55.03(1)(b)2. 2. The guardian has a strong commitment to caring permanently for the child.
DCF 55.03(1)(b)3. 3. For not less than 6 consecutive months immediately before being named as the guardian of the child, the prospective guardian has been licensed as a foster parent and the prospective guardian and all nonclient residents in the guardian's home have met the background check requirements specified in s. 48.685, Stats., and ss. DCF 56.05 (1) (f) and 56.055.
DCF 55.03(1)(b)4. 4. Before being named as the guardian of the child, the prospective guardian entered into a subsidized guardianship agreement with the agency under s. DCF 55.06.
DCF 55.03(1)(c) (c) An order under s. 48.345, 48.357, 48.363, 48.365, 938.345, 938.357, 938.363, or 938.365, Stats., or a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal court order placing the child, or continuing the placement of the child, outside of the child's home has been terminated, or any proceeding in which the child has been adjudged to be in need of protection or services specified in s. 48.977 (2) (a), Stats., has been dismissed as provided in s. 48.977 (3r) (a), Stats., or a substantially similar proceeding under Wisconsin tribal law has been dismissed.
DCF 55.03(1)(d) (d) If the agency knows or has reason to know that the child is an Indian child, the Indian child's parent, Indian custodian, and tribe have been provided with notice of the child's placement in the home of the guardian under s. 48.977 (4) (c) 2m., Stats., and the court has found under s. 48.977 (4) (g) 4., Stats., that the home of the guardian is in compliance with the order of placement preference under s. 48.028 (7) (b), Stats., or, if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), Stats., unless the court found good cause, as described in s. 48.028 (7) (e), Stats., for departing from that order.
DCF 55.03(2) (2) Siblings. An agency shall also provide subsidized guardianship payments for the care of a sibling of a child who meets the conditions under sub. (1) (a), regardless of whether the sibling meets these conditions if the agency and the guardian agree on the appropriateness of placing the sibling in the home of the guardian.
DCF 55.03 History History: CR: 12-045: cr. Register May 2013 No. 689, eff. 6-1-13; CR 16-014: am. (1) (b) 3. Register June 2016 No. 726, eff. 7-1-16; EmR1632: emerg. am. (1) (c), eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-048: am. (1) (c) Register April 2017 No. 736, eff. 5-1-17: CR 21-107: am. (1) (a) 1. (intro.), b., 3. Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22; correction in (1) (b) 3. made under s. 35.17, Stats., Register June 2022 No. 798.
DCF 55.04 DCF 55.04Procedure to inform prospective guardians.
DCF 55.04(1)(1)An agency shall explain to each foster parent who is a relative of or like-kin to a foster child for whom the foster parent is providing care and maintenance the foster parent's eligibility for services and the expectations involved with the following permanency options for the child:
DCF 55.04(1)(a) (a) Adoption with adoption assistance under s. 48.975, Stats., and ch. DCF 50.
DCF 55.04(1)(b) (b) Guardianship under s. 48.977, Stats., with subsidized guardianship payments under s. 48.623, Stats., and this chapter.
DCF 55.04(1)(c) (c) Guardianship under s. 48.977, Stats., with long-term kinship care payments under s. 48.57 (3n), Stats., and ch. DCF 58.
DCF 55.04(1)(d) (d) Guardianship under s. 48.9795, Stats.
DCF 55.04(2) (2)An agency shall use a form prescribed by the department to explain the permanency options under sub. (1), and the relative or like-kin foster parent shall sign the form acknowledging that the options have been explained to the foster parent following the explanation. The agency shall retain a signed copy of the form and attach the signed form to the subsidized guardianship agreement under s. DCF 55.06 if the relative or like-kin foster parent decides to pursue subsidized guardianship for the child.
DCF 55.04 Note Note: Form DCF-F-CFS2797, Permanency Options in Brief, is available in the forms section of the department website, https://dcf.wisconsin.gov or by writing to the Division of Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison WI 53708-8916.
DCF 55.04 History History: CR: 12-045: cr. Register May 2013 No. 689, eff. 6-1-13; correction in (1) (d) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register September 2020 No. 777; CR 21-107: am. (1) (intro.), (2) Regisgter June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.
DCF 55.05 DCF 55.05Eligibility determination and documentation in child's permanency plan.
DCF 55.05(1)(1)For a child whose permanency plan will include placement with a guardian and the receipt of subsidized guardianship payments, an agency shall provide a description of all of the following on a form prescribed by the department:
DCF 55.05(1)(a) (a) The efforts that the agency has made to return the child to the child's home and the reasons the agency has determined that return to the home is not in the child's best interests.
DCF 55.05(1)(b) (b) The steps the agency has taken to determine that adoption is not in the child's best interests and the reasons why adoption is not being pursued, including the efforts the agency has made to discuss adoption by the prospective guardian as a more permanent alternative to guardianship and documentation of the reasons the prospective guardian has chosen not to pursue adoption.
DCF 55.05(1)(c) (c) Reasons a permanent placement with a subsidized guardianship arrangement is in the child's best interests, including the ability of the prospective guardian to manage the child's relationship with the child's parents.
DCF 55.05(1)(d) (d) If the child is an Indian child, a description of how the guardianship meets the requirements for placement preferences under s. 48.028 (7) (b), Stats., or if applicable, s. 48.028 (7) (c), Stats., unless good cause is determined under s. 48.028 (7) (e), Stats.
DCF 55.05(1)(e) (e) The ways in which the eligibility requirements for subsidized guardianship payments under s. DCF 55.03 are met.
DCF 55.05(1)(f) (f) Reasons for any separation of siblings during the placement with the guardian.
DCF 55.05(1)(g) (g) The efforts made by the agency to discuss the subsidized guardianship arrangement with the child's parents or reasons why efforts were not made.
DCF 55.05 Note Note: Form DCF-F-2691, Subsidized Guardianship Eligibility Determination and Permanency Plan Addendum, is available in eWiSACWIS, the child welfare automation system, or by writing to the Division of Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison WI 53708-8916.
DCF 55.05(2) (2)The agency shall enter the completed form under sub. (1) in the child's permanency plan and submit the form to the court with the court report under s. 48.977 (4) (e), Stats.
DCF 55.05(3) (3)If a person submits to the agency a written request for a determination of eligibility for subsidized guardianship payments, the agency shall provide a written determination of eligibility to the person no later than 30 days after receiving the request. The determination shall include a notice of the person's right to appeal the agency determination under s. DCF 55.11.
DCF 55.05 History History: CR: 12-045: cr. Register May 2013 No. 689, eff. 6-1-13; CR 21-107: am. (1) (a), (c) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.
DCF 55.06 DCF 55.06Subsidized guardianship agreement.
DCF 55.06(1)(1)An agency shall enter into a written, signed subsidized guardianship agreement with a prospective guardian before guardianship is established under s. 48.977, Stats., or under a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law and an agreement specified in s. DCF 55.01 (2), and before providing subsidized guardianship payments to the guardian. The agency shall provide the prospective guardian with a copy of the signed agreement.
DCF 55.06(2) (2)The subsidized guardianship agreement shall be on a form prescribed by the department and specify all of the following:
DCF 55.06(2)(a) (a) The amount of the monthly subsidized guardianship payments that will be provided under the agreement.
DCF 55.06(2)(b) (b) The manner in which subsidized guardianship payments may be adjusted periodically based on the circumstances of the guardian and needs of the child, in consultation with the guardian.
DCF 55.06(2)(c) (c) A description of any additional services and assistance that the child or guardian will be eligible for under the agreement and the procedures by which the guardian may apply for the additional services and assistance as needed.
DCF 55.06(2)(d) (d) That the agency will pay or reimburse the total cost of nonrecurring expenses directly related to obtaining guardianship of the child, not to exceed $2,000, including court costs, attorney fees, and other reasonable and necessary expenses.
DCF 55.06(2)(e) (e) That the agreement will remain in effect without regard to the state of residence of the guardian.
DCF 55.06(2)(f) (f) That medical assistance provided under Title XIX of the Social Security Act of 1935, as amended, is available to the child as follows:
DCF 55.06(2)(f)1. 1. Medical assistance will be provided in accordance with the procedures of the state in which the child resides, except if a child receiving subsidized guardianship payments from an agency in Wisconsin is not eligible for medical assistance in the child's state of residence, the child is eligible for Wisconsin's medical assistance program under ss. 49.43 to 49.497, Stats.
DCF 55.06(2)(f)2. 2. Medical assistance may not be used as primary insurance coverage for care of a child that is covered by a guardian's private health insurance. A prospective guardian shall complete a form prescribed by the department of health services to provide information on any private health insurance coverage before guardianship is established under s. 48.977, Stats., or a substantially similar Wisconsin tribal law.
DCF 55.06 Note Note: Form HCF-10115, BadgerCare Plus/Medicaid Health Insurance Information, is available in the forms section of the Department of Health Services website, http://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov, or from the Division of Health Care Access and Accountability, P.O. Box 309 Madison, WI 53701-0309.
DCF 55.06(2)(g) (g) The agency's responsibility to release medical, educational, and other historical information the agency has about the child to the prospective guardian, in accordance with applicable law.
DCF 55.06(2)(h) (h) That if any of the following occur, the guardian shall notify the agency within 10 calendar days of the effective date:
DCF 55.06(2)(h)1. 1. The guardian's address changes.
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Published under s. 35.93, Stats. Updated on the first day of each month. Entire code is always current. The Register date on each page is the date the chapter was last published.