1. (1) Hazardous equipment and dangerous materials.

   1. (a) Equipment that may be hazardous to a resident shall be stored in an area not readily accessible to the resident.
   2. (b) A licensee shall prevent residents’ access to poisonous materials, cleaning supplies, and other dangerous materials and objects as appropriate for the age and developmental, emotional, and behavioral needs of the residents placed in the group home.

2. (2) Disaster plan.

   1. (a) Each licensee shall file a disaster plan with the department and any placing agency with a resident placed in the group home that would allow the department and placing agency to identify, locate, and ensure continuity of services to residents under the placement and care responsibility or supervision of the placing agency who are displaced or adversely affected by a disaster. The disaster plan shall be on a form prescribed by the department and shall include all of the following information:

      1. 1. A primary and secondary location where a staff member and resident would go in an evacuation.
      2. 2. Contact information under sub. (4) (c).
      3. 3. A list of items that the staff member will take if evacuated, including any medication and medical equipment for each resident.

   2. (b) The licensee shall review the disaster plan with all staff members on a quarterly basis and provide updates to the department and placing agency when any change is made.

      Note: Form DCF-F-5129-E, Disaster Plan, is available in the forms section of the department website https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/forms.

3. (3) Tornado preparedness.

   1. (a) A licensee shall have a written tornado preparedness plan posted at a prominent location in the group home.

   2. (b) A staff member shall do all of the following:

      1. 1. Orient each resident to the tornado preparedness plan upon their arrival.
      2. 2. Practice the plan with residents in the spring and fall each year.

      3. 3. Keep a written record of the date and time of each tornado drill.

         Note: A voluntary form is available. See the note following s. DCF 57.41.

4. (4) Procedures. A licensee shall create the following written procedures:

   1. (a) How staff members will prevent access to the premises by any person whose behavior causes reasonable concern for the safety of a resident.
   2. (b) How staff members and volunteers will use universal precautions when exposed to blood, body fluids, and tissue discharges.

   3. (c) How staff members will contact the following if a resident is displaced or adversely affected by a disaster:

      1. 1. A resident’s placing agency; parent, guardian, legal custodian, or Indian custodian; medical provider; and mental health professional.
      2. 2. The licensee, group home manager, and program director.

History

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