1. (1) Membership.

   1. (a) A foster 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 foster child; the foster child’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian; the foster parent; and at least one representative each from the supervising and placing agencies. At least one member of the treatment team shall have clinical training in a field related to the primary needs of the foster child. In addition, the treatment team may include other social workers, child welfare professionals, clinical consultants, medical providers, mental health providers, school personnel, or other significant persons in the foster child’s life.
   2. (b) A foster child shall be a member of the treatment team unless they choose not to participate or the supervising agency child welfare professional determines that their inclusion would be inappropriate due to their age or condition. If the child is not a member of the treatment team, the supervising agency child welfare professional shall document the reason in the case record.

2. (2) Responsibilities. The treatment team for a foster child shall do all of the following:

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

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

      1. 1. An assessment of the foster child’s disability.
      2. 2. Measurement of the behavioral and cognitive correlates of the disability.
      3. 3. An assessment of how psychosocial and environmental factors influence how the foster child copes with the disability.
      4. 4. A review of biological factors that affect the disability.
      5. 5. Identification of possible treatments for the disability.

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

      1. 1. Specify the treatment and services to be provided to the foster child and the foster child’s family.
      2. 2. Identify who is responsible for providing each treatment and service.

      3. 3. Establish measurable goals and objectives for the placement in all areas of the foster child’s life, including all of the following:

         1. a. Supervision and safety.
         2. b. Health, emotional, and behavioral stability.
         3. c. Daily living and community integration.
         4. d. Education.
         5. e. Communication skills.
         6. f. Legal status, including permanency planning issues.
         7. g. Regular, ongoing opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities under s. DCF 56.09 (3).
      4. 4. If a foster child is 14 years of age or over, include a description of the programs and services that are or will be provided to assist the foster child in preparing for the transition from out-of-home care to independent living as required under s. 48.38 (4) (h) or 938.38 (4) (h), Stats.
   4. (c) Establish an appropriate level of nursing, other medical care, and other types of care for the foster child based upon the foster child’s needs and the abilities of the foster parent.
   5. (e) Provide copies of the treatment plan to all treatment team members, including the foster child if the child is 12 years of age or older, as allowed by law.
   6. (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.
   7. (g) Meet to formally review the treatment plan, share information, exchange ideas and opinions, and discuss issues at least every 3 months. The supervising agency child welfare professional shall determine if more frequent treatment team meetings are necessary. Other treatment team members may request a meeting.
   8. (h) Share knowledge regarding the foster child and the treatment plan with other treatment team members as allowed by law and encourage support for the treatment plan
   9. (i) Ensure that family counseling is provided to the foster child’s family and the foster family as needed.
   10. (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.
   11. (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 foster child on an ongoing basis.

   12. (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:

       1. 1. Observations from the supervising agency child welfare professional’ s direct contact with the foster child.
       2. 2. Discussions that include the foster child; the foster child’s parent, guardian, or Indian custodian; service providers; and collateral contacts.
       3. 3. Other relevant data or information.
   13. (m) Design and implement new treatment strategies as needed.
   14. (n) Consult with the foster parent or supervising agency child welfare professional about events in the foster home if requested.
   15. (o) Arrange for interaction between the foster child and the foster child’s family as provided in the foster child’s permanency plan or treatment plan.
   16. (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.

History

History: EmR1050: emerg. cr., eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-148: cr. Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; EmR1633: emerg. cr. (2) (b) 3. g., eff. 11-18-16; CR 16-051: cr. (2) (b) 3. g. Register July 2017 No. 739, eff. 8-1-17: CR 25-043: am. (1) (a), r. and recr. (1) (b), renum. (2) (a) to (2) (am) and, as renumbered, am. (2) (am) (intro.), 1., 3., am. (2) (b) (intro.), 1., 3. (intro.), g., 4., (c), renum. (2) (d) to (2) (a), am. (2) (e), (g) to (i), (k), (L) 1., 2., (n), (o), r. (2) (q) Register November 2025 No. 839, eff. 12-1-25.