48.67(4)(a)(a) That all foster parents successfully complete training in the care and support needs of children who are placed in foster care that has been approved by the department. The training shall be completed on an ongoing basis, as determined by the department. The department shall promulgate rules prescribing the training that is required under this subsection and shall monitor compliance with this subsection according to those rules. The training shall include training in all of the following:
48.67(4)(a)1. 1. Parenting skills, including child development; infant care, if appropriate; the effects of trauma on children; communicating with children in an age-appropriate manner; and recognizing issues such as drug use or addiction or attachment disorder.
48.67(4)(a)2. 2. For foster parents caring for children 11 years of age or older, teaching and encouraging independent living skills, including budgeting, health and nutrition, and other skills to promote the child's long-term economic independence and well-being.
48.67(4)(a)3. 3. Issues that may confront the foster parents, in general, and that may confront the foster parents of children with special needs.
48.67(4)(a)4. 4. Child abuse and neglect prevention.
48.67(4)(a)5. 5. The proper use of foster care payments.
48.67(4)(a)6. 6. The availability of resources for foster parents in the local community.
48.67(4)(a)7. 7. Other topics, as determined by the department.
48.67(4)(b) (b) The training under par. (a) shall be available to a kinship care relative, as defined in s. 48.40 (1m), upon request of the kinship care relative.
48.67(4)(c) (c) For a foster parent receiving an initial license, the training under par. (a) shall be completed before the first child is placed with the foster parent.
48.67 History History: 1975 c. 307; 1977 c. 29, 205, 271, 418, 447; 1979 c. 300; 1985 a. 176; 1993 a. 375, 446; 1995 a. 27 ss. 2599, 9116 (4), 9145 (1); 1997 a. 27; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 165; 2007 a. 104; 2009 a. 28, 180, 185, 336; 2011 a. 32, 120.
48.67 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also chs. DCF 52, 56, 57, 59, 250, 251, and 252 Wis. adm. code.
48.68 48.68 Investigation of applicant; issuing of license.
48.68(1)(1) After receipt of an application for a license, the department shall investigate to determine if the applicant meets the minimum requirements for a license adopted by the department under s. 48.67 and meets the requirements specified in s. 48.685, if applicable. In determining whether to issue or continue a license, the department may consider any action by the applicant, or by an employee of the applicant, that constitutes a substantial failure by the applicant or employee to protect and promote the health, safety, and welfare of a child. Upon satisfactory completion of this investigation and payment of the fee required under s. 48.615 (1) (a) or (b), 48.625 (2) (a), 48.65 (3) (a), or 938.22 (7) (b), the department shall issue a license under s. 48.66 (1) (a) or, if applicable, a probationary license under s. 48.69 or, if applicable, shall continue a license under s. 48.66 (5). At the time of initial licensure and license renewal, the department shall provide a foster home licensee with written information relating to the monthly foster care rates and supplemental payments specified in s. 48.62 (4), including payment amounts, eligibility requirements for supplemental payments, and the procedures for applying for supplemental payments.
48.68(2) (2) Before continuing the license of any child welfare agency to operate a residential care center for children and youth or of any group home, the department shall consider all formal complaints filed under s. 48.745 (2) and the disposition of each during the previous 2-year period.
48.68(3) (3) Within 10 working days after receipt of an application for initial licensure of a child welfare agency to operate a residential care center for children and youth or of a group home, the department shall notify the city, town, or village planning commission, or other appropriate city, town, or village agency if there is no planning commission, of receipt of the application. The department shall request that the planning commission or agency send to the department, within 30 days, a description of any specific hazards that may affect the health and safety of the residents of the residential care center for children and youth or group home. No license may be issued to a child welfare agency to operate a residential care center for children and youth or to a group home until the 30-day period has expired or until the department receives the response of the planning commission or agency, whichever is sooner. In issuing a license the department shall give full consideration to such hazards determined by the planning commission or agency.
48.68(4) (4) Prior to initial licensure of a residential care center for children and youth operated by a child welfare agency or of a group home, the applicant for licensure shall make a good faith effort to establish a community advisory committee consisting of representatives from the child welfare agency or proposed group home, the neighborhood in which the proposed residential care center for children and youth or group home will be located and a local unit of government. The community advisory committee shall provide a forum for communication for those persons interested in the proposed residential care center for children and youth or group home. Any committee established under this subsection shall continue in existence after licensure to make recommendations to the licensee regarding the impact of the residential care center for children and youth or group home on the neighborhood. The department shall determine compliance with this subsection both prior to and after initial licensure.
48.68 History History: 1977 c. 205, 418; 1981 c. 72; 1991 a. 39; 1993 a. 375, 395, 491; 1995 a. 27, 77; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2001 a. 59; 2009 a. 28.
48.68 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DCF 56, Wis. adm. code.
48.685 48.685 Criminal history and child abuse record search.
48.685(1)(1) In this section:
48.685(1)(ag) (ag)
48.685(1)(ag)1.1. "Caregiver" means any of the following:
48.685(1)(ag)1.a. a. A person who is, or is expected to be, an employee or contractor of an entity, who is or is expected to be under the control of the entity, as defined by the department by rule, and who has, or is expected to have, regular, direct contact with clients of the entity.
48.685(1)(ag)1.am. am. A person to whom delegation of the care and custody of a child under s. 48.979 has been, or is expected to be, facilitated by an entity.
48.685(1)(ag)1.b. b. A person who has, or is seeking, a license, certification or contract to operate an entity or who is receiving, or is seeking, payment under s. 48.623 (6) for operating an entity.
48.685(1)(ag)2. 2. "Caregiver" does not include a person who is certified as an emergency medical technician under s. 256.15 if the person is employed, or seeking employment, as an emergency medical technician and does not include a person who is certified as a first responder under s. 256.15 if the person is employed, or seeking employment, as a first responder.
48.685(1)(am) (am) "Client" means a person who receives direct care or treatment services from an entity or from a caregiver specified in par. (ag) 1. am.
48.685(1)(ar) (ar) "Contractor" means, with respect to an entity, a person, or that person's agent, who provides services to the entity under an express or implied contract or subcontract, including a person who has staff privileges at the entity and a person to whom delegation of the care and custody of a child under s. 48.979 has been facilitated by the entity.