Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Children and Families
DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence
Chapter DCF 43 - Training For Child Protective Services Caseworkers And Supervisors
Section DCF 43.04 - Child protective services caseworker training

(a) Except as specified in s. DCF 43.06(1), each individual who is employed as a child protective services caseworker shall complete pre-service training. The web-based portion of the pre-service training shall not exceed 40 hours. The guided activities within the curriculum are not part of the web-based portion of pre-service training. If the caseworker receives pre-service training in a format that is approved by the department under par. (d), the caseworker may complete the curriculum in the time specified by his or her employing agency.

(b) The employing agency shall enter the date on which each caseworker completes pre-service training, or the date on which the employing agency exempts the caseworker from pre-service training under s. DCF 43.06(1) in the training section of the statewide automated child welfare system within 5 working days after the training is completed or the exemption is granted.

(c) A child protective services caseworker who has completed pre-service training required under par. (a) may provide child protective services and be entered into the statewide automated child welfare information system as a primary caseworker. A child protective services caseworker who has not completed the training required under par. (a) may only provide child protective services under the direction of a child protective services supervisor or experienced child protective services worker, and only be entered in the statewide automated child welfare information system as a secondary caseworker.

(d) An agency may deliver pre-service training through a format, other than through the web-based delivery method if the agency receives prior approval from the department. An agency may request approval from the department to offer pre-service training in an alternative format by submitting a written proposal to the department that includes all of the following:

(a) Except as specified in s. DCF 43.06(2), within 2 years after the effective date of employment, each individual who is employed as a child protective services caseworker shall complete foundation training. Foundation training shall not exceed 15 training days. A training day consists of 6 hours of training.

(b) The employing agency shall enter, in the training section of the statewide automated child welfare system, the date on which each caseworker completes foundation training, or the date on which the employing agency exempts the caseworker from foundation training under s. DCF 43.06(2) within 30 working days after training is completed, or within 5 working days after the exemption is granted.

(a) Each child protective services caseworker shall complete at least 30 hours of in-service training in each 2 year period that begins on the nearest future reporting deadline for certified or licensed social workers under s. MPSW 19.02 that occurs after the caseworker has completed 2 years of employment as a child protective services caseworker. The 2 year period for a child protective services caseworker who is employed longer than 2 years as of February 1, 2008, shall begin on the nearest future reporting deadline for certified or licensed social workers under s. MPSW 19.02 that occurs on or after February 1, 2008.

(b) The employing agency shall enter, in the training section of the statewide automated child welfare system, the date the caseworker completes in-service training within 30 working days after the caseworker completes in-service training.

(c) A caseworker may not receive in-service training before receiving the pre-service training required under par. (a), unless the caseworker received an exemption from pre-service training from the employing agency under s. DCF 43.06(1).