1. (1) Applicability. A licensee who is licensed to provide care to an expectant parent or a resident who is the custodial parent of a child who is residing in the group home shall meet the additional requirements of this section.
2. (2) Definitions. In this section, “custodial parent” means a resident whose child resides in the group home with the resident.
3. (3) Admission. An expectant or custodial parent under a voluntary placement agreement may not be admitted for longer than 180 days from the date on which the resident was removed from their home under the agreement. A voluntary placement agreement under this subsection may be extended if an independent reviewing agency, such as an agency licensed under s. 48.61 (3), Stats., or a county agency, determines that the extension would be in the best interests of the resident and if the resident and the resident’s parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian consents to the extension, as specified in s. 48.63 (5) (d), Stats..

4. (4) Staff training.

   1. (a) Each staff member who works in a group home under this section shall successfully complete training in all of the following within 6 months after their date of hire or have documentation that training was completed prior their hire date:

      1. 1. Sudden infant death syndrome.
      2. 2. Shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma.
      3. 3. Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid training for children under 3 years of age.

      4. 4. Fifty hours of training on infant and toddler care with a curriculum approved by the department.

         Note: The department-approved training is the Child Care Foundational Training: Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Care course. See Wisconsin Registry at https://go.wiregistry.org/v7/trainings/search for further information. A licensee may request departmental approval for another course with a comparable curriculum.

   2. (b) Each staff member shall complete trainings necessary to keep the certifications under par. (a) 3. current.

5. (5) Treatment plan.

   1. (a) The treatment plan for a resident under this section shall also include all of the following parenting skills:

      1. 1. Prenatal and other health care services.
      2. 2. Child development.
      3. 3. Bathing and hygiene.
      4. 4. Child safety.
      5. 5. Child guidance and behavior management.
      6. 6. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and abusive head trauma.
      7. 7. Nutrition and meal preparation.
      8. 8. Child care and supervision.
      9. 9. Accessing parenting resources in the community.
      10. 10. Budgeting.
   2. (b) A treatment plan is not required for a resident’s child.

6. (6) Medical care for expectant parent. The licensee shall ensure all of the following:

   1. (a) An expectant parent is provided prenatal care from a medical provider or a nurse-midwife licensed under s. 440.982, Stats.
   2. (b) An expectant parent gives birth in a medical facility.

7. (7) Health safety and welfare of a resident’s child. A licensee shall assist a resident who is a custodial parent in doing all of the following:

   1. (a) Ensuring the health, safety, and welfare of the resident’s child and providing care and supervision in compliance with this chapter.
   2. (b) Providing furnishings and equipment appropriate for the age, size, and developmental level of the resident’s child.
   3. (c) Making modifications as necessary to ensure the premises are safe based on the developmental age of the resident’s child.
   4. (d) Providing diapers, food, formula, and hygiene products as needed for the resident’s child.

8. (8) Furnishings and bedding. In addition to the requirements in s. DCF 57.39 (10) the following provisions apply regarding a resident’s child:

   1. (a) Each infant shall sleep alone in a crib, bassinet, bedside sleeper, play yard, or a sleeping device determined by tribal custom, if applicable. Any sleeping device used by an infant shall be in safe working condition and may not have been recalled by the manufacturer.
   2. (b) The sleeping space shall be safe for an infant with appropriately sized bedding and free of blankets and other items, such as pillows and stuffed animals.
   3. (c) A resident may share a bedroom with their child.

9. (9) Transportation.

   1. (a) The conditions of ss. DCF 57.08, 57.10 (6), 57.14 (2) and 57.15 (6) (d) apply to a vehicle transporting a resident’s child.
   2. (b) The conditions of s. DCF 57.43 apply to a resident’s child when the child is being transported.

10. (10) Caring for a resident’s child. If a resident is not on the premises or is otherwise unable to care for their child, a staff member may care for the resident’s child only as follows:

    1. (a) The staff member caring for a resident’s child may not be included in the staff-to-resident ratio under s. DCF 57.19 (2).
    2. (b) The staff-to-child ratio under this section may not be less than the ratios specified in Table DCF 251.055.
    3. (c) A staff member may be included in the ratio under par. (b) only if they have completed the training required under sub. (4).
11. (11) Visits with noncustodial parent. A licensee shall have a written policy on visitation between a child and their noncustodial parent.

History

History: CR 26-005: cr. Register May 2026 No. 845, eff. 6-1-26.