Current through February 26, 2024
DCF 56.12 Foster parent handbook. A licensing agency shall
provide each licensed or prospective foster parent with a copy of the agency's
foster parent handbook prior to or at the time of the issuance of the license
to operate a foster home. The foster parent handbook shall include information
on the following topics:
(1) General
information, including:
(a) Overview of the
child welfare system.
(b)
Description of the purpose of foster care.
(c) Overview of the juvenile court
system.
(d) Description of the
concept of and procedures for permanency planning, permanence goal options, and
concurrent permanency planning.
(e)
Requirements for foster parents to report child abuse or neglect under s.
DCF 56.06(1)
(c).
(f) A brochure that explains the foster
parent insurance program and information regarding how to file a claim under
that program.
(g) A brochure that
explains the foster care reimbursement and rate structure, including the
clothing allowance.
(h) A brochure
that explains the use and parameters of the reasonable and prudent parent
standard.
Note: Form DCF-P-5105, Promoting
Normalcy for Children in Out-of-Home Care, is available in the forms
section of the department website at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov, or by writing
the Division of Safety and Permanence, P.O. Box 8916, Madison, WI
53708-8916.
(2)
Agency-specific information, including:
(a)
Agency expectations of foster parents in working with children's families and
supporting family interaction plans.
(b) Expectations for foster parents in
working with the licensing and placing agencies.
(c) Confidentiality requirements.
(d) Description of agency policies and
procedures in cases of allegations of child maltreatment against foster
parents.
(e) Procedures in the
event of emergencies affecting the foster parent or any foster child.
(f) Procedures for filing grievances and
appeals and the processes used by the agency in responding to such grievances
and appeals.
(g) Procedures for
reimbursement for such expenditures as travel costs, clothing for foster
children, and school fees.
(3) Information about caring for children,
including:
(a) Attachment.
(b) Child development.
(c) Grief and loss.
(d) Discipline of foster children.
(e) Independent living and the transfer of
independent living skills.
(4) Information about resources for foster
families, including:
(a) A description of the
support services available through the agency, including the availability of
respite care services and how foster parents can access those
services.
(b) Contact information
for the Wisconsin Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, the National Foster
Parent Association, the Wisconsin Foster Care and Adoption Resource Center,
and, if available, local foster parent associations or support
groups.
