DCF 56.03(38)(38) “Voluntary placement agreement” means a written contract between a county agency, the department, or a licensed child welfare agency, and the child’s parent or guardian and the child, if the child is 12 years of age or older, for the placement of the child in a licensed foster home under s. 48.63 (1), Stats.

DCF 56.03 HistoryHistory: CR 00-020: cr. Register February 2002 No. 554, eff. 3-1-02; corrections in (9), (10), (24) and (37) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 6. and 7., Stats., Register November 2008 No. 635; EmR0937: emerg. r. and recr. (3), eff. 1-1-10; CR 10-021: r. and recr. (3) Register September 2010 No. 657, eff. 10-1-10; EmR1050: emerg. renum. (1) to be (1r), cr. (1), (1g), (6m), (10m), (11m), (15m), (21g), (21r), (33m), (34d), (34h), (34p), (34t), (35m), (37e), (37m), (37s), am. (3) (a), (14), (15), (22), (24), (29), (36), (38), r. and recr. (37), eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-148: renum. (1) to be (1r), cr. (1), (1g), (6m), (10m), (11m), (15m), (21g), (21r), (33m), (34d), (34h), (34p), (34t), (35m), (37e), (37m), (37s), am. (3) (a), (14), (15), (22), (24), (29), (36), (38), r. and recr. (37) Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; corrections in (2), (11) made under s. 13.92 (4) (b) 7., Stats., Register February 2012 No. 674; EmR1414: emerg. r. and recr. (5), am. (12), (13), (34p), (38), cr. (39), eff. 8-1-14; CR 14-054: r. and recr. (5), am. (12), (13), (34p), (38), cr. (39) Register April 2015 No. 712, eff. 5-1-15; CR 16-014: cr. (11s), (27m) Register June 2016 No. 726, eff. 7-1-16; EmR1633: emerg. cr. (1d), (11r), am. (17), cr. (27r), (34m), eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-051: (1d), (11r), am. (17), cr. (27r), (34m) Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17; CR 21-107: am. (11s) (b), (15), (27r), (30) Register June 2022 No. 798, eff. 7-1-22.

DCF 56.04(2)(2) License prohibition. No licensing agency may issue a license to operate a foster home to an employee of the agency or to the relative of an employee of the agency if the employee works in the area of the agency that issues foster care licenses. This subsection does not apply to a foster parent who receives a payment under s. 48.64 (4), Stats., or to a volunteer for the agency.

DCF 56.04 NoteNote: The intent of this requirement is to prevent possible conflicts of interest with respect to the terms of the rate paid to the foster parent, the situation that may result if an allegation of abuse or neglect is made against the foster parent, etc. The agency should consider such situations in granting a license to an employee of the agency.

DCF 56.04(3)(3) Reapplication following denial or revocation. No applicant or former licensee who, for a substantive reason, such as inappropriate discipline practices, inadequate mental health functioning or current abuse of alcohol or drugs, was denied a license or whose license was revoked may reapply for a license to any licensing agency within a period of 2 years following the effective date of license denial or revocation.

DCF 56.04(4)(a)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)(a)3.3. A written statement from a physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner that indicates any physical or mental conditions of the applicant or any household members 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, except as provided in subd. 4.

DCF 56.04(4)(a)4.4. 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)(a)7.7. The employment history of the applicant. The history shall indicate the length of time the applicant was employed by each employer. The employment history shall document all employment for the 5-year period prior to submission of the application for a foster home license, unless the licensing agency has reasonable cause to request employment history for more than 5 years.

DCF 56.04(4)(a)9.c.c. Notice that the licensing agency may contact the Wisconsin department of justice and any similar agency in another jurisdiction, any federal or local law enforcement agency, any social services agency, or any other public or private agency to determine if there is any reason specified under s. 48.685, Stats., ch. DCF 12, s. DCF 56.05 (1) (a) 3., or any other part of this chapter for the applicant to not be granted a license.