Wisconsin Administrative Code
Department of Children and Families
DCF 021-99 - Safety and Permanence
Chapter DCF 56 - Foster Home Care For Children
Section DCF 56.17 - Child's treatment team for Levels 3 to 5

(a) A child with a level of need of 3 or higher who is placed in a foster home with a Level 3 to 5 certification shall have a treatment team that consists of the child, the child's parent or legal guardian, the foster parent, and at least one representative each from the supervising and placing agencies. At least one member of the team shall have clinical training in a field related to the primary needs of the child. In addition, the treatment team may include other social workers, caseworkers, clinical consultants, physicians, nurses, psychologists, therapists, school personnel, home health agency staff, or other significant individuals in the child's life.

(b) A parent or child may be excluded from the treatment team by the child's supervising agency caseworker only when their inclusion would be inappropriate due to age, condition, or unwillingness to cooperate. Any justification for exclusion shall be documented in the child's case record and anyone excluded shall be informed of the reason for the decision, as appropriate.

(a) Using specialists when necessary, arrange for additional appropriate assessments based on the needs and strengths of the child, child's family, and foster parent as identified in the assessment under s. DCF 56.22. If the child may have a serious emotional disturbance, arrange for a bio-psycho-social assessment that includes all of the following:

(b) Develop the child's written treatment plan within 30 days after the child's placement in a foster home. The treatment plan shall do all of the following:

(c) Establish an appropriate level of nursing, other medical care, and other types of care for the child based upon the child's needs and the abilities of the foster parent.

(d) Determine the need for and arrange appropriate and qualified psychiatric and psychological services for the child.

(e) Provide copies of the treatment plan to all treatment team members, including the child if the child is more than 12 years old, as allowed by law.

(f) Implement and support the treatment plan, including ensuring that all available resources and treatments are known or explored and developing new resources if appropriate.

(g) Meet to formally review the treatment plan, share information, exchange ideas and opinions, and discuss issues at least every 3 months from the date of distribution of the treatment plan. The supervising agency caseworker shall determine if more frequent treatment team meetings are necessary. Other treatment team members may request a meeting.

(h) Share knowledge regarding the child and the treatment plan with other treatment team members as allowed by law and encourage support for the treatment plan.

(i) Ensure that family counseling is provided to the child's family and the foster family as needed.

(j) Ensure that 24-hour per day, 7-day per week crisis intervention is provided for the foster child and the foster parent as needed.

(k) Monitor and evaluate the progress of the treatment plan and the continued appropriateness and effectiveness of the provided services and supports and placement of the child on an ongoing basis.

(L) Make treatment plan revisions and adjustments as necessary. Ensure revisions and adjustments to the treatment plan are in writing and are based on all of the following:

(m) Design and implement new treatment strategies as needed.

(n) Consult with the foster parent or supervising agency caseworker about events in the foster home if requested.

(o) Arrange for interaction between the child and the child's family as provided in the child's permanency plan or treatment plan.

(p) Resolve any disagreements between the foster parent and the supervising agency. Efforts by the treatment team to resolve disagreements may not replace any internal grievance procedures established by the supervising agency or the foster parent's fair hearing rights under s. 48.64(4) (a), Stats.

(q) Develop an aftercare plan for a child that ensures continuity in managing a child's needs after the child's placement ends.