Foster Care

• Foster Care Licensing Application(PDF, 348KB)
• E-mail Consent Form(DOC, 66KB)
• Zoom Consent Form(PDF, 141KB)

The application is a fillable form for your convenience. Once completed, the application can be printed and mailed or delivered to the Youth and Families Services division, or emailed to HHSFosterCare@outgamie.gov.   Please download and save the Application to your computer, complete required information, and submit in your chosen manner, or request an application packet be sent via mail by providing the following information: 

• Name
• Address
• Phone

Typically, the process for licensing a general foster home can take up to 3 - 6 months.  Those interested should complete the online application or request an application packet be sent to you from the Outagamie County Out-of-Home Care Program. Once all forms are completed (ensure that each person residing in the home who is 10 years of age or older completes and signs both background check forms), an Out-of-Home Care Coordinator will review the application, submit the background check forms and call you to schedule an initial home visit.

For general applicants, next steps are to participate in the foster family assessment. This includes 4 – 6 meetings with a Coordinator who will meet all members of the household in the applicant’s home. Meetings are typically 1.5 – 3 hours in length and allow for the applicant to learn more about becoming a licensed foster family and for the Coordinator to get to know the applicants. During this meetings, the coordinator will also verify that the home meets licensing requirements as outlined in WI Chapter 56,ensure that all necessary paperwork is completed, and collect your fingerprints and submit these to the FBI.

As mentioned, the physical dwelling must meet requirements as well. Some of the home requirements for general homes are:

smoke detectors on every level of the home, at the head of each open stair well and in each bedroom

• a fire extinguisher in the kitchen
• carbon monoxide detectors on each level of the home
• forms verifying home owners/renters and vehicle insurance
• Firearms unloaded and locked in an area that is not readily accessible, and either:

ammunition is locked in a container separate from the firearm

• trigger lock is engages on a firearm cable lock is engaged on firearm
• or gun safe made of steel with a secure, functioning, biometric, electronic or combination locking mechanism designed to store firearms and ammunition. Ammunition may be locked in the gun safe with the firearm.
• other items may be discussed as they pertain to your household such as: well water testing and verification of updated pet vaccinations, if applicable.

Once the background checks and home are approved, the Coordinator submits a written assessment and all required paperwork to the program supervisor who reviews the report for approval. Once approved, the license and copies of any necessary paperwork are mailed to the applicant.

Before receiving placement of any foster children, each applicant must complete 6 hours of pre-placement training.

FOSTER HOME LEVEL OF CARE CERTIFICATION

All foster home licenses are issued in two year increments.  The Outagamie County Foster Care program issues Level 1 and Level 2 foster care licenses and does not issue level 3-5 licenses.  Please refer to DCF 56.13for all of the details related to the various levels of care.  

LEVEL 1 - Respite/Kinship Foster Home

• This license is issued to a relative/like-kin of a child or to an individual who has a previous existing relationship with the child or the child’s family. Training requirements are a minimum of 6 hours of pre-placement training under DCF 56.14(6) before or after the child is placed in the home. This must be completed within 6 months of the date the license is issued. A relative or like-kin child may be placed before pre-placement training is complete, yet the necessary training is still referred to as pre-placement training.

LEVEL 2 - Basic Foster Home

• A basic foster home license is issued to individuals who want to provide foster care to children with whom they may not have a previous relationship. Training requirements are a minimum of 6 hours of pre-placement training under DCF 56.14(6) before or after initial licensure but prior to the placement of a foster child in the home. Within the first two years of licensure as a Level 2 foster home, foster parents must complete 30 hours of initial licensing training under DCF 56.14(7) (also called Foundation Training). Each foster parent who operates a Level 2 foster home shall complete 10 hours of ongoing training under DCF 56.14(8) in each 12-month period of licensure subsequent to the initial licensing period.

LEVEL 3 - Moderate Treatment Foster Home

• An applicant for a level 3 license must have more education caring for foster children.  See DCF 56.13(5) for more details.  The training requirements are a minimum of 36 hours of pre-placement training under DCF 56.14(6d) before or after the initial licensure but prior to the placement of any child in the home.  During the initial licensing period as a Level 3 foster home, foster parents shall complete a minimum of 24 hours of initial licensing training under DCF 56.14(7e) and shall complete 18 hours of ongoing training under DCF 56.14(8) in each 12-month period subsequent to the initial licensing period.  
• Note:  Outagamie County does not license at this level.

LEVEL 4 - Specialized Treatment Foster Home

• An applicant for a level 4 license must have even more education and experience caring for foster children.  See DCF 56.13(6) for more details.  The training requirements are a minimum of 40 hours of pre-placement training under DCF 56.14(6h) before or after initial licensure but prior to the placement of any child in the home.  During the initial licensing period as a Level 4 foster home, foster parents shall complete a minimum of 30 hours of initial licensing training under DCF 56.14(7e), during the initial licensing period and shall complete 24 hours of ongoing training under DCF 56.14(8) in each 12-months period of licensure subsequent to the initial licensing period.
• Note:  Outagamie County does not license at this level.

LEVEL 5 - Exceptional Treatment Foster Home

• This is a shift-staffed home where children who are placed have behaviors or conditions that require a high degree of supervision. Care that is provided by staff that rotates shifts within a 24-hour period.
• Note:  Outagamie County does not license at this level.

Respite care provides support to families in need for children between the ages of 0-18 and often helps to prevent out-of-home placements for families.  Respite care provides an opportunity to help others while working a flexible schedule in the provider’s home or in the child’s home. Payment varies with the level-of-care or behavioral challenges of the child.  

The following are requirements for certification:

• Providers must be at least age 18 and at least five years older than the child for whom the respite is being requested.
• Providers must provide consent for local and state criminal record checks for any adult in the home or any adult that will be having regular unsupervised contact with the child. Also reviewed are any Child Protection contacts, Mental Health and AODA (alcohol or other drug abuse) records for the provider or member of the provider’s immediate family.
• Providers must return any necessary paperwork with signature.
• Providers must verify necessary vehicle insurance coverage and if the respite care will occur in the provider’s home, homeowner/renter insurance verification is necessary.
• Providers will meet with a Out-of-Home Care Coordinator a minimum of 2 times for initial certification and/or recertification (on a bi-annual basis).
• The provider will meet the requirements on the respite home checklist.
• The provider will demonstrate knowledge and skill in the desired respite care areas.
• The provider will understand the reporting requirements related to child abuse and neglect.
• The provide will demonstrate an ability to accept responsibility, work independently, exercise good judgment, maintain confidentiality and manage the varied medical, behavioral and basic care needs of children in respite care.
• Giving false information or withholding information shall constitute grounds for denial or revocation of the certification.

The Outagamie County Foster Care Program utilizes Emergency Resource homes (ER homes) which are available 24/7 to accept children who are in need of safe homes.  ER homes are on a 7-day rotation to insure that a home is always available for children that come into care through emergency-type circumstances. 

Some important facts about ER homes:

• ER homes must have at least 1 bed designated for emergencies in order to be considered a resource.  They are licensed for no more than 4 foster children (6 to keep siblings together) at a time.
• Placements in an ER home will not exceed 30 days unless all parties agree that continued placement is in the child’s best interest.  Additionally, placement may be extended another 30 days or indefinitely if all parties agree.
• When on rotation, ER homes must accept placement unless all parties agree that safety concerns are identified.
• ER homes are required to drive children to their school of origin until or unless alternative transportation arrangements are made.
• ER homes receive a placement rate prorated by the number of days a child is placed in their care.  They also receive a daily stipend when on rotation.   

Foster Care clothing allowance reimbursement form(PDF, 224KB)

Respite Form

Foster Care URS (Uniform Foster Care Rates) Brochure

Foster Care State Insurance Form

What is Foster Care?

• Foster care is a temporary alternative to a child's own home when that home is deemed unsafe.  Foster children range in age from 0-18; however, the biggest need is for homes for teenagers and sibling groups.  All foster children have unique backgrounds, experiences, personalities, strengths and needs. Most foster children do not have a strong sense of belonging or a strong sense of self-worth. Many of them have been victims of various types of abuse, experienced neglect or require extensive medical care, and some may require extensive care for physical or emotional handicaps or disabilities.

Must a foster parent accept any child the agency offers?

• No. Available information about a child is shared so the child's team can make an informed decision regarding where the child should be placed. In emergency situations, very little may be known about the child at the time of placement.  

Can foster parents adopt a foster child?

• Most foster children are not available for adoption. If a child does become adoptable, the foster family who has maintained placement of the child may become the adoptive resource.  

Do I have to be married or own my own home?

• No. Single adults may apply to be foster parents. You do not have to own your own home.

What are the basic requirements to be a foster parent?

• You must be 18 years of age or older and deemed a responsible, mature individual through the licensing process to become a licensed foster parent. You will be asked to provide truthful information regarding your childhood, alcohol and/or drug abuse, law violations and other pertinent information that may hinder your ability to provide a stable, nurturing environment. Giving false information or withholding information is grounds for denial of a license.  

What is the process to become a licensed foster parent?

• The process typically takes 4-6 months and includes home visits, interviews and paperwork with the Out-of-Home Care Coordinator. Orientation and training is also provided during that timeframe.  

Who pays for the care of children in foster care?

• Foster parents receive a standard rate for room and board and other living expenses from the placing agency in accordance with the Wisconsin DCF Uniform Foster Care Rate setting. There may also be additional funds provided for the care of children with special needs.  

How are the child’s medical needs paid for?

• Foster children are covered by Title XIX (Medical Assistance) and/or the insurance of their parents/legal guardians.

What sleeping arrangements should I have for a child?

• Children over one year of age may not share a bedroom with an adult without documented need by a medical provider.
• Foster children who are related and one year of age or older may share a bed with the approval of the licensing agency and with the consent of any foster child over six years of age.

Can I have a job and care for a foster child?

• Yes. A foster parent may work outside of the home if appropriate arrangements can be made for childcare during the absence of the foster parent(s).

Will I be involved with the child’s birth parents?

• Federal requirements outline that the agency must first and foremost strive for reunification of a child to their family above all else, so most children will have regular visits with their parent(s). The child's case worker will help schedule the visits (supervised or unsupervised) and confirm travel arrangements. Frequent contact and communication between birth/adoptive parents and foster parents is strongly encouraged as studies have shown better outcomes for children in foster care when compared to other types of placements, such as: shorter placements, stability of placements and less behavioral problems of the child while in placement. The Children, Youth and Families division requires that all licensed foster parents comply with Child Focused Team meetings, which include birth/adoptive parents and typically occur within one week of placement. These meetings are determined on a case by case basis with the primary focus on everyone’s safety and well-being.  

Can I take a foster child on vacation?

• Yes. If you are planning on taking a child out of state, prior written approval is needed from the birth/adoptive parent(s) and the supervising agency.  

What kind of support services are available?

• The Outagamie County Out-of-Home Care program uses a number of programs to support foster families with a placement. In-house trainings, webinars, a resource library, newsletters, this website, referrals to outside resources specializing in behaviors demonstrated by the foster child, foster parent support groups, and individual access to a case worker, supervisors, and the Out-of-Home Care Coordinator are all examples of services available to foster families. Special training sessions and support groups are available in some communities. Agency staff will also help you understand your foster child and find community resources to assist with any problems that arise. A 24-hour Crisis phone line is also provided for emergencies. 

What if an emergency comes up and the agency is closed or it is a weekend?

• All foster families are provided with an after-hours Crisis phone number. This number is staffed by case workers of Outagamie County that have a number of resources available to them.

Foster Care Info Sessions(PDF, 87KB)

TBRI Training Schedule(PDF, 627KB)

OHC Book Club

Trauma Training(PDF, 150KB)