1. (1) Responsibility for assessment.

   1. (a) A placing agency shall use a standardized assessment tool prescribed by the department to assess the needs and strengths of a foster child placed or to be placed into a foster home and the needs of the foster child’s foster parent. A placing agency may subcontract this responsibility.

      Note: The assessment tool is available in the forms section of the department’s website at http://dcf.wisconsin.gov.

   2. (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), this section does not apply to a foster child placed or to be placed into a foster home that is licensed solely for the purpose of adoption of a domestic infant under s. 48.837, Stats., or a foreign child under s. 48.839 or 48.97, Stats.
2. (2) Qualification to assess. An individual performing the assessment shall be trained and certified in the use of the department’s standardized assessment tool.

3. (3) Times of assessment.

   1. (a) Assessment within 30 days after placement. A placing agency shall assess each foster child before placement in a foster home or within 30 days after the foster child’s placement. A placing agency shall assess each foster parent within 30 days after the foster child’s placement in the foster home.
   2. (b) Reassessment every 6 months. A placing agency shall reassess each foster child and the foster child’s foster parent within 6 months after the foster child’s last assessment or reassessment. The placing agency, licensing agency, or foster parent may request a reassessment more frequently.

4. (4) Standardized assessment tool.

   1. (a) Basics of the tool. The standardized assessment tool shall include a list of items that may have a direct impact on service planning for the foster child and the foster child’s foster parent. The list of items included in the standardized assessment tool shall assist with evaluation of all of the following:

      1. 1. The foster child’s functioning, including all of the following:

         1. a. The impact of trauma on the foster child.
         2. b. Life functioning, including physical, mental, and dental health; relationships with family members; and social skills.
         3. c. Functioning in a child care or school setting.
         4. d. Behavioral and emotional needs.
         5. e. Risk behaviors.
         6. f. Strengths.
         7. g. The effect of the culture of the foster child and the foster child’s family on service provision.

      2. 2. The foster parent’s functioning in relation to the identified foster child, including all of the following:

         1. a. Supervision.
         2. b. Problem solving.
         3. c. Involvement with care.
         4. d. Knowledge.
         5. e. Empathy with the foster child.
         6. f. Organization.
         7. g. Social resources.
         8. h. Physical health.
         9. i. Mental health.
         10. j. Substance use.
         11. k. Developmental.
         12. L. Family stress.
         13. m. Cultural congruence.

   2. (b) Gather information. Before administering the standardized assessment tool, the person who will administer the tool shall first do all of the following:

      1. 1. Review the foster child’s case record.
      2. 2. Interview or collect information from a person who has interviewed the foster child, the foster child’s family, foster parent or other out-of-home care provider, the foster child’s team or treatment team, and the licensing agency.

      3. 3. Review information gathered in collaboration with the foster child’s team or treatment team and the licensing agency.

         Note: See s. DCF 56.17 (1) on treatment team membership.

   3. (c) Rating a foster child. The person administering the standardized assessment tool shall rate the foster child on each item in the tool on a 4-point scale relative to what is developmentally appropriate for a child of a similar age, as follows:

      1. 1. ‘Needs.’ The following ratings shall apply to items representing needs of a foster child or the foster child’s family:

         1. a. A rating of 0 means there is no evidence of the existence of a special need.
         2. b. A rating of 1 means there is a history or concern that a basic special need may exist.
         3. c. A rating of 2 means there is a presence of a moderate special need.
         4. d. A rating of a 3 means there is a presence of an intensive special need.

      2. 2. ‘Strengths.’ The following ratings shall apply to items representing strengths of a foster child or the foster child’s family:

         1. a. A rating of 0 indicates a centerpiece strength.
         2. b. A rating of 1 indicates a useful strength.
         3. c. A rating of 2 indicates an identified strength.
         4. d. A rating of 3 indicates no strength has been identified.

   4. (d) Rating a foster parent. The person administering the standardized assessment tool shall rate a foster parent’s needs on each item in the tool on a 4-point scale in relation to a specific identified foster child, as follows:

      1. 1. A rating of 0 means there is no reason to believe a need exists.
      2. 2. A rating of 1 means there is a history or concern that needs to be monitored.
      3. 3. A rating of 2 means there is a presence of a need that must be acted upon.
      4. 4. A rating of 3 means there is a presence of a need that requires immediate or intensive action.

5. (5) Use of assessment information.

   1. (a) The placing agency shall use information from the assessment of the foster child, the foster child’s family, the foster child’s foster parent, the supervising agency, and the licensing agency for all of the following:

      1. 1. To communicate information about the needs and strengths of the foster child and the foster child’s family.
      2. 2. To assist with determining the foster child’s service needs and developing the foster child’s plan of care.
      3. 3. To determine a level of need of 1/2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 for the foster child.
      4. 4. To inform decisions regarding a placement at a level of care that is appropriate to meet the foster child’s level of need.
      5. 5. To evaluate the match between the knowledge, skills, and abilities of a foster parent and the needs and strengths of the foster child.
      6. 6. To assist in the development of services and supports needed for a specific foster child and foster parent to promote the stability of the placement.
      7. 7. To provide a mental health screen to all children entering foster care.
      8. 8. To determine any supplemental payments under s. DCF 56.23 (2).
      9. 9. To determine any supplemental payments for purposes of an adoption assistance agreement under s. 48.975, Stats., and ch. DCF 50.
   2. (b) A placing agency shall re-evaluate the appropriateness of a foster child’s placement, services provided to the foster child, and supplemental payments made to the foster parent following a reassessment of the foster child under sub. (3) (b).
6. (6) Matching the foster child and foster family. A placing agency may place a foster child in a foster home only after careful consideration is made on how well the prospective foster family will meet the foster child’s identified specific needs and address any concerns of the birth or adoptive parents.

7. (7) Placement in a foster home.

   1. (a) A placing agency, in accordance with a licensing agency, may place a foster child in a foster home that is certified to provide a given level of care if the foster child’s level of need is at or below the level of care that the foster home is certified to provide.
   2. (b) Notwithstanding par. (a), a placing agency may place a foster child with a level of need that is higher than the level of care that a foster home is certified to provide if the placing agency grants an exception and documents in the foster child’s electronic case record what services and supports will be provided to meet the foster child’s needs as identified in the assessment tool.
   3. (c) A foster child whose level of need is lower than 5 may not be placed in a Level 5 foster home, except for continuation of an existing placement during planning for the foster child’s transition to a less restrictive setting following a reassessment under sub. (3) (b).

History

History: EmR1050: emerg. cr., eff. 1-1-11; CR 10-148: cr. Register August 2011 No. 668, eff. 9-1-11; CR 25-043: am. (1) (a), (b), (3) (a), (b), (4) (a) (intro.), 1. (intro.), a.,g., 2. e, (b) 1. to 3., (c) (intro.), 1. (intro.), and 2. (intro.), (d) (intro.), (5) (a) (intro.), 1. to 6., (b), consol. (6) (a) (intro.), 1., 2. and renumber to (6) and am., r. (6) (a) 3., (b), am. (7) Register November 2025 No. 839, eff. 12-1-25.