ICPC State Pages

Compact Administrators

Compact Administrator Shannon Braden, Compact Administrator DCF, Out-of-Home Care Section Manager P.O. Box 8916 Madison, WI 53708-8916 (920)-785-7829 - Telephone Email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) *Please send all ICPC request packets and case inquiries to the ICPC Specialists.*

Deputy Compact Administrator Carrie Kraus, Deputy Compact Administrator PO Box 8916 Madison, WI 53708-8916 (608)422-6939 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Consultants

ICPC Specialist (A-H) Brittany Shellenberger ICPC Specialist PO Box 8916 Madison, WI 53708-8916 (608) 422-6939 Telephone .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)	Administrative Assistant (A-L) All residential requests -public and private Amie Bodart ICPC Program Associate (Part Time) PO Box 8916 Madison, WI 53708 (920)785-7835 Phone 608) 422-7170 FAX .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
ICPC Specialist (I-Q) Carrie Kraus, DCA ICPC Specialist PO Box 8916 Madison, WI 53708 (608) 422-6939 - Telephone .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)	Administrative Assistant (M-Z) VACANT
ICPC Specialist (R-Z) Katarzyna (Kasia) McCants ICPC Specialist PO Box 8916 Madison, WI 53708 (608)422-6922 Phone 608) 422-7170 FAX .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Mailing Address

Regular Mailing Address WI Dept. of Children and Families Out of Home Care Section, ICPC P.O. Box 8916 Madison, WI 53708-8916

Federal Express Address WI Dept. of Children and Families Out of Home Care Section, ICPC 201 W.  Washington Ave Madison, WI 53703

Useful Telephone Numbers

Child Abuse Hotline CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE No State hotline - Each WI county has their own Child Abuse Hotline.	Juvenile Compact Office Juvenile Compact Office Jenny McFadden, Deputy Compact Administrator WI DOC (608)438-2061 - Telephone .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Mental Health Compact Office Michelle Larson or Jean O’Leary Michelle: 715-836-5724 Jean: 920-448-5324

Useful Websites

 

General Iinformation

 

Co-Located Compacts - ICPC, ICAMA, ICJ

Adoption

Independent /Private

Independent/Private Adoptive Placements:

Wisconsin permits private attorney, private agency and/or independent adoptions

Adoption Statute-Non-Agency; Independent; Private Adoptions:

48.837 Wis. Stats.

Independent Adoptions - Permitted; however, we will NOT accept birth parent as the sender. MUST have an agency or attorney involved.

**For Independent adoption WI will NOT accept the 100A with the bio parents as "sending agency"  and being financially responsible and responsible for planning. An agency or an attorney must also be on the 100A and sign the 100A.

Public

Public Adoptive Placements-Requirements

-All resources must be foster licensed.

-Public adoption ICPC packet must include TPR Order

-WI will also accept Foster/Adopt requests. WI will complete foster licensing while simultaneously completing the adoption home study.

    -Required in ICPC packet for Foster/Adopt: TPR Order, and/OR Perm Plan with Adoption as the PRIMARY goal, and TPR petition

INDEPENDENT / PRIVATE / PUBLIC

The following information applies to independent, private and public adoptions

Adoption Assistance

Adoption assistance payments begins

• After the adoption is finalized

Sending State Adoption Subsidy Payments (Guidelines)

In some circumstances,  AA may include a monthly subsidy. Children may be eligible for a monthly subsidy if they are determined to have special care needs at the time of adoption, as defined by Wis. Admin. Code § DCF 50.09(1)(b). This subsidy is paid by DCF to the adoptive parent(s) to help meet the financial demands of caring for a child’s special care needs.

 The total monthly subsidy cannot exceed the child’s foster care maintenance rate or a maximum of $2,000 per month.

Upon determination of eligibility for adoption assistance and application approval by DCF, subsidy payments will become effective once the adoption has been finalized.

Additional info on Adoption Assistance in Wisconsin is available at:

dcf.wisconsin.gov/adoption/assistance

 

Special Needs

Wisconsin definition of "Special Needs"

ELIGIBILITY

A pre-adoptive child who meets at least one of the following criteria may be eligible for AA:

• The child is seven years of age or older.
• The child is a member of sibling group of two or more placed together.
• The child has five or more needs that are moderate or intensive in the areas listed in Wis. Admin. Code § DCF56.23(2)(a)1.a – e.
• The child is a member of a minority race that cannot be readily placed due to lack of appropriate resources.
• The child is an Indian child as defined in Wis. Stat. § 48.02(8g).
• The child is determined to be at high risk of developing moderate or intensive needs in the areas listed in Wis.Admin. Code § DCF 56.23(2)(a)1.a – e.

For the child to be eligible for AA, the child must also meet ALL the following:

• The child must be under 18 years of age at the time of adoption;
• There has been a determination that the child cannot or should not return to the child’s parents; and
• The child is under the guardianship of a child placing agency.

Finalization

Adoption may be finalized in another state:

• Yes

Before finalization can occur in Wisconsin, child must be in adoptive placement:

• 6 months
• Other

Statutory code/cite for Adoption Petition

48.90 Wis. Stats.

Court Jurisdiction for Adoption Cases

County: public adoptions; Family Court: private adoptions

Home Study (Adoptions)

Statutory code/cite for the Adoptive Home Studies:

48.90 Wis. Stats.

Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study

• Other : agencies may conduct the home study independently but we do not accept ICPC requests prior to the birth of a baby. Requests are accepted only after discharge from the hospital

Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study

• Private Adoptions: Yes
• Independent Adoptions: Yes

Age of Majority

State's age of majority

• Up to age 21 if meets criteria

Statutory code/cite and the age of majority:

• -DCF 21.02 Definitions. (3) "Aging out" -Up to age 19 if the child is enrolled in high school or equivalent education and expected to graduate by their 19th birthday (unless meets criteria to remain in care to age 21; ref. 48.366) -Sections 48.366 and 938.366, Stats., as created by 2013 Wisconsin Act 334, permit a child placed in out−of−home care who is a full−time student at a secondary school or its vocational or technical equivalent and for whom an individualized education program (IEP) is in effect to continue in out−of−home care until the child is granted a high school or high school equivalency diploma or reaches 21 years of age, whichever occurs first under either an extended dispositional order of the juvenile court or a voluntary transition-to-independent-living agreement between the child, or the child’s guardian on behalf of the child, and the agency primarily responsible for providing services to the child under the dispositional order.

Services (after Age of Majority)

As the Receiving State, the following services will be provided/continued at the age of majority:

• Supervision
• Respite
• Medicaid

Appeals

Appeals permitted:

• Home Study: Yes
• ICPC Decision: No

Border Agreements

Border Agreements permitted:

• No

Current Border Agreements with:

• None - Not Applicable

Criminal Background Checks/Abuse and Neglect Registry

Home Studies which Require Criminal / Perpetrator Record Checks

Wisconsin requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption

*Relative Care:  name-based criminal background checks are required for non-licensed relatives.

 

Criminal Background Screening

The following methods are used to capture fingerprints to conduct criminal records checks/and abuse and neglect.

• Live Scan or other computerized technology
• Finger Print cards

Local agencies complete these and it depends on what resources they have available.  Some agencies partner with their local sheriff’s department who have Live Scan access.

 

Criminal background checks/screening via Live Scan or other computerized technology are offered at the following levels:

• National
• State
• Local

 

Background Screening

State or Local Criminal Record Checks Requirements/Process:

See National Resource Center for Family-Centered Practice and Permanency Planning entitled “Child Abuse Registries”. It lists states which have registries and their procedures and contact information.  State Child Abuse Registries:   http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/downloads/policy-issues/State_Child_Abuse_Registries.pdf

 

Applicant will not be approved if the person has committed any of the following misdemeanor or felony offenses:

See III. Foster Care Bars listed at:  http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/childrenresidential/pdf/fosterbarredcrimes.pdf

 

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Wisconsin requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Wait Time for Criminal Records Results

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: Not Offered
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 15-30 days
• Local/County: 15-30 days

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background
• Signature verifying background check completed

Custody Matters - NON ICPC

(NOTE: These are private or domestic custody matters brought before the court for determination/decision)

Non-ICPC Requests - (i.e. private/domestic custody cases)

ICPC Office will not investigate a domestic or private custody matter.

• Parent vs. Parent: No
• Third Parties: No

ICPC Offices will assist with referral:

• Yes
  Refer Cases To:

  ICPC office will forward to the appropriate local agency to respond directly (a case is not opened or tracked at ICPC).

Custody Investigation

ICPC office will forward to the appropriate local agency to respond directly (a case is not opened or tracked at ICPC).

Public Education Costs

Wisconsin charges for public education:

• No

Wisconsin charges the sending state for specialized services (occupational, speech therapy)

• No

Wisconsin charges the Sending State to obtain assessments/diagnostics and/or services for education purposes:

• No

Financial Plans, Medicaid, IV-E, Daycare, Payments

FINANCIAL PLANS

Wisconsin permits a child in the legal custody of a Sending State to apply for and receive the following state administered assistance/benefits in Wisconsin as the Receiving State.

• Medicaid

As the Sending state, following are considered as a viable financial/medical plan when making interstate placements:

• Title IV-E Foster Care
• Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
• Sending State Adoption Assistance
• Kin-Guardianship - Fostering Connections (IV-E)
• Kin-Guardianship - State
• Medicaid

As the Receiving state, following are considered a viable financial/medical plan when receiving interstate placements:

• Title IV-E Foster Care
• Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
• Sending State Adoption Assistance
• Kin-Guardianship - Fostering Connections (IV-E)
• Kin-Guardianship - State
• Medicaid

MEDICAID / MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

The state will ensure medical coverage benefits and services can be received through benefits, programs and providers in the Receiving State before placing a child across state lines.

• Yes

Medicaid

The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).

• Yes

WAITING PERIOD FOR MEDICAID BENEFITS

Waiting period to apply for benefit assistance:

• No waiting period

Waiting period to receive benefits for a child who is under the legal custody/legal jurisdiction of the sending state:

• No waiting period

STATE MEDICAL INSURANCE/COVERAGE

As the Sending State, Wisconsin will provide medical coverage if the child is NOT IV-E eligible

• Yes: Sending agency (not State) will reimburse preapproved medical expenses.

As the Sending State, Wisconsin will permit Placement Resources to apply for medical benefits in the Receiving State or use their personal insurance.

• Yes

PAYMENTS MADE

TANF Payments

• Will only pay for WI children, but must license the resource to do so. While in the process of licensing, family must go through the foster care licensing process in the other state. There is a process to continue TANF if the family is not licensed.

Adoption assistance payments begin:

• At the time the child is placed.

Foster Care Payments

• Wisconsin will provide our foster board to licensed resources with an approved ICPC home study.

Special Education Payments

• No

Daycare Payments

• No
• Other

Kinship Program

Same as TANF payments above.

TITLE IV-E

Medicaid - The receiving state is responsible for the Medicaid benefits of children eligible under Title IV-E. Otherwise, the responsibility is with the sending state (see Foster Care Payments).

• Yes

Title IV-E documentation/verification required

• Yes: IV-E eligibility determination documentation

Foster Care

RATES (Foster Care)

Foster care rate paid at:

• Sending State’s rate
• Other

In addition to the basic foster care rate (see below), there is a Supplemental portion which is specific to identified needs of the child, and an Exceptional portion of the rate that is flexible to cover costs in excess or not covered by other funds. See Uniform Foster Care Rate web link: http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/children/foster/progserv/Undrufcr.htm#What is the UFCR

Wisconsin foster care rates:

REQUIREMENTS (Foster Care)

Foster Care Resource Requirements:

See DCF 56:  http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/publications/pdf/dcf_p_pfs0131.pdf

Training (Education and Training)

• Preplacement Training: Level I&II = 6 hours/Level III = 36 hours Initial Licensing Training: Level I = 0/Level II = 30 hours/Level III = 24 hours Ongoing Training: Level I = 0/Level II = 10 hours/Level III = 18 hours each 12 yr period

Home Studies (Adoption/Foster Care/Kinship/Parent/Relative)

Types of Home Studies

Wisconsin conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

Wisconsin designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.

• Yes

Wisconsin considers a home study as current/valid for:

• 1 year

Private Contract Services - Home Study

As the Sending State, Wisconsin will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study

• Other: Sending agency (not State) may contract with a private vendor

As the Receiving State, Wisconsin will permit a Sending state to pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study.

• Other: The private contract must also include the provision of ongoing supervision.

As the Receiving State, Wisconsin will accept/update a home study that was not originally conducted by the receiving state or a private contractor acting on behalf of the Receiving State.

• Will not Update or Accept

Adoptive Home Studies

Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• Yes

Prospective adoptive parents permitted to pay for a pre-adoptive home study

• Private Adoptions: Yes
• Independent Adoptions: Yes

DCPS contracts for Purchase of Services with private agencies in other states:

• No

Foster Care Home Study

Home study for foster care conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• Yes

Parent Home Study

If child has been removed from the parent, Wisconsin requires a home study evaluation before reunification.

• Parent must also meet the return conditions of the order.

Non-Custodial Parents

Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : For placements with all paternal relatives.

Relative/Kinship Home Study

Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• Yes

Define Relative

Wis Stats 48.02(15) “Relative” means a parent, stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, brother−in−law, sister−in−law, first cousin, 2nd cousin, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, stepuncle, stepaunt, or any person of a preceding generation as denoted by the prefix of grand, great, or great−great, whether by blood, marriage, or legal adoption, or the spouse of any person named in this subsection, even if the marriage is terminated by death or divorce. For purposes of the application of s. 48.028 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, “relative” includes an extended family member, as defined in s. 48.028 (2) (am), whether by blood, marriage, or adoption, including adoption under tribal law or custom. 

*2015 WI Act 101: The definition of "relative" has been expanded to include: A parent of a sibling of the child who has legal custody of that sibling.  

 

**All placement resources (including relatives) are requried to be foster licensed to be approved for ADOPTIVE placement.**  

Relatives must be licensed:

• No

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : For placements with all paternal relatives.

Wisconsin considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)

• 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
• 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
• 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
• 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

Wisconsin performs priority placements:

• Yes

A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• 60 days

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Private

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• 60 days

Wisconsin determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date verified between Receiving/Sending States

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study

Criminal Record Checks

Wisconsin requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption

*Relative Care:  name-based criminal background checks are required for non-licensed relatives.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Wisconsin requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Wait Time for Criminal Records Results

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: Not Offered
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 15-30 days
• Local/County: 15-30 days

ICPC Processing And Data Collection

Wisconsin conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

ICPC Placement Checklists

Date of Receipt - Home Study

Wisconsin determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date verified between Receiving/Sending States

Wisconsin designates staff in each county/region to conduct home studies and/or process interstate placements.

• Yes

Private Contract Services - Home Study

As the Sending State, Wisconsin will pay a contractor or private/independent agency in the Receiving State to conduct a home study

• Other: Sending agency (not State) may contract with a private vendor

Criminal Records Checks

Wisconsin requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption

*Relative Care:  name-based criminal background checks are required for non-licensed relatives.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Wisconsin requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Mailing Process - Interstate Home Study

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study

Wait/Processing Times

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study) - Public

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• 60 days

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: Not Offered
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 15-30 days
• Local/County: 15-30 days

Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 yearsValid up to 2 years; can be for a shorter period. If a child-specific license, 2 years or up to the period the child is in the home.

Wisconsin offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• OtherPre-placement training is provided online and is accessible anytime at no cost. Foundation Training is provided through the Training Partnerships; schedules vary depending on location.

Wait Time for ICPC Decision

Data Collection

Wisconsin collects, tracks and reports interstate data via:

• State System (SACWS or Other Computer System/Database)

Wisconsin collects, tracks and reports interstate home studies via

• State System (SACWS or Other Computer System/Database)

Licensing/Certification/Approval

Licensing

Dual Licensing state:

• Yes

Wisconsin uses the following terms to authorize a resource family for foster care and (or) adoption after completion of education and training in state:

• Approve (Adoption)
• Verified (Foster Home)
• Certified

Wisconsin requires the following types of placement resources to be licensed/approved/certified:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Adoption
• Foster/Adopt

Wisconsin resource training program is as follows:

• PRIDE (Parents Resource Information Development Education)

Wisconsin will give full or partial credit for foster care and adoption education and training completed in another state:

• Adoption
  Full CreditComparable training will be accepted if all required competencies are covered and approved by the Department's exceptions panel.
• Foster Care
  Full CreditComparable training will be accepted if all required competencies are covered and approved by the Department's exceptions panel.

Title IV-E documentation/verification required

• Yes: IV-E eligibility determination documentation

Requirements (Licensing)

Licensing Requirements

• See DCF 56:  http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/publications/pdf/dcf_p_pfs0131.pdf

Foster Care Placements

•  DCF 56 (foster care)/DCF 51 (special needs adoptions)

Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 yearsValid up to 2 years; can be for a shorter period. If a child-specific license, 2 years or up to the period the child is in the home.

Wisconsin offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• OtherPre-placement training is provided online and is accessible anytime at no cost. Foundation Training is provided through the Training Partnerships; schedules vary depending on location.

Parent Studies

Wisconsin conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

Custodial Parent Evaluated Per Reunification

If child has been removed from the parent, Wisconsin requires a home study evaluation before reunification.

• Parent must also meet the return conditions of the order.

Non-Custodial Parents

Placements with non-custodial parents are not covered under the ICPC if:

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : For placements with all paternal relatives.

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

Wisconsin performs priority placements:

• Yes

A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• 60 days

Wisconsin determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date verified between Receiving/Sending States

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study

Criminal Records Checks

Wisconsin requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption

*Relative Care:  name-based criminal background checks are required for non-licensed relatives.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Wisconsin requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: Not Offered
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 15-30 days
• Local/County: 15-30 days

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Wisconsin requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background
• Signature verifying background check completed

Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 yearsValid up to 2 years; can be for a shorter period. If a child-specific license, 2 years or up to the period the child is in the home.

Wisconsin offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• OtherPre-placement training is provided online and is accessible anytime at no cost. Foundation Training is provided through the Training Partnerships; schedules vary depending on location.

Relative Placements

Wisconsin conducts the following types of home studies:

• Relative Care
• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Parent Care
• Foster- Adopt
• Adoption

Relative Home Study

Define Relative

Wis Stats 48.02(15) “Relative” means a parent, stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, brother−in−law, sister−in−law, first cousin, 2nd cousin, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, stepuncle, stepaunt, or any person of a preceding generation as denoted by the prefix of grand, great, or great−great, whether by blood, marriage, or legal adoption, or the spouse of any person named in this subsection, even if the marriage is terminated by death or divorce. For purposes of the application of s. 48.028 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, “relative” includes an extended family member, as defined in s. 48.028 (2) (am), whether by blood, marriage, or adoption, including adoption under tribal law or custom. 

*2015 WI Act 101: The definition of "relative" has been expanded to include: A parent of a sibling of the child who has legal custody of that sibling.  

 

**All placement resources (including relatives) are requried to be foster licensed to be approved for ADOPTIVE placement.**  

Relatives must be licensed:

• No

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : For placements with all paternal relatives.

Wisconsin considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)

• 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
• 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
• 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
• 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)

Regulation 7 Priority Placement

Wisconsin performs priority placements:

• Yes

A court ordered Priority 7 conducted if the child is in a DCF shelter or foster home for substantial period of time.

Wait Time (ICPC Interstate Home Study)

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Wait time to complete Home Study, only (without criminal records check):

• 60 days

Wisconsin determines the "Date of Receipt" for an interstate home study as:

• Date verified between Receiving/Sending States

Method of requesting, sending, and/or reporting an interstate home study

Criminal Records Checks

Wisconsin requires criminal background checks for the following home studies:

• Foster Care
• Relative-Foster Care
• Foster-Adopt
• Adoption

*Relative Care:  name-based criminal background checks are required for non-licensed relatives.

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Wisconsin requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Wait Time for Criminal Records Checks

Wait time for fingerprint results are:

Live Scan or other technology

• State: Not Offered
• Local/County: 48-72 hours

Manually - Fingerprint Card

• State: 15-30 days
• Local/County: 15-30 days

Average length of time to process and complete a home study with criminal background checks for an interstate placement (Not including completion of education training):

• 60 days

Type of Checks (Crim. & Abuse Neglect Registry)

Wisconsin requires the following types of criminal background and perpetrator checks (Federal (F), State (S), Local (L), Abuse and Neglect Registry (ANR), Not Required (NR))

Verification of Criminal Records Results

• Actual results/information contained in the Criminal Background
• Signature verifying background check completed

Wait Time - (License/ Certification/ Approval - Education and Training)

Average Length of time it takes for a home to be licensed/approved/certified:

• 3-6 mos.

Length of time a license is valid before renewal required.

• 2 yearsValid up to 2 years; can be for a shorter period. If a child-specific license, 2 years or up to the period the child is in the home.

Wisconsin offers classes (education and training) for placement resources' homes to become licensed/certified/approved:

• OtherPre-placement training is provided online and is accessible anytime at no cost. Foundation Training is provided through the Training Partnerships; schedules vary depending on location.

Residential Treatment Centers/Facilities

Before Wisconsin will approve a child for an interstate placement with an RTF, Certification/verification of acceptance is required from the Residential Treatment Facility (RTF).

• Yes

Residential Placements

Supervisory Reports

Wisconsin Requires face-to-face supervision:

• Once a month

Wisconsin will provide supervision of an interstate placement:

• Other : Until case is closed and until Age of Majority as defined by the Receiving State.

Wisconsin Submits a supervisory report to the Sending State

• Other : Quarterly -- And will provide monthly reports upon request.

Wisconsin will send a supervision report to:

• The ICPC in the Sending State

Supervision Guidelines

Please see Regulation 11 for supervision requirements under the ICPC (Link provided below):

• Best Practice Guidelines for Supervision via the ICPC

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

Home study for adoption conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• Yes

Home study for relatives conducted prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR)

• Yes

After TPR, relatives are no longer relatives and a foster care or adoptive home study must be requested.

• No

Relative Home Study

Define Relative

Wis Stats 48.02(15) “Relative” means a parent, stepparent, brother, sister, stepbrother, stepsister, half brother, half sister, brother−in−law, sister−in−law, first cousin, 2nd cousin, nephew, niece, uncle, aunt, stepuncle, stepaunt, or any person of a preceding generation as denoted by the prefix of grand, great, or great−great, whether by blood, marriage, or legal adoption, or the spouse of any person named in this subsection, even if the marriage is terminated by death or divorce. For purposes of the application of s. 48.028 and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 USC 1901 to 1963, “relative” includes an extended family member, as defined in s. 48.028 (2) (am), whether by blood, marriage, or adoption, including adoption under tribal law or custom. 

*2015 WI Act 101: The definition of "relative" has been expanded to include: A parent of a sibling of the child who has legal custody of that sibling.  

 

**All placement resources (including relatives) are requried to be foster licensed to be approved for ADOPTIVE placement.**  

Relatives must be licensed:

• No

Proof of Paternity is required:

• Yes : For placements with all paternal relatives.

Wisconsin considers the following types and degrees of relation as relative placements. Individuals related in the 1st degree, 2nd degree, 3rd degree and 4th degree (You may need to refer to your state's consanguinity chart or state statute to determine relations or relative status.)

• 1st Degree (mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter)
• 2nd Degree (grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, first cousin)
• 3rd Degree (great grandmother, great grandfather, great aunt, great uncle, grand-niece, grand nephew, second cousin)
• 4th Degree (great, great-grandmother, great, great-grandfather, great, great aunt, great, great aunt, great, great uncle, great grand-niece, great grand nephew, third cousin)