Levels of Care

The Levels of Care foster home licensing initiative creates a base licensing code, various levels of certification for foster parents, and a child assessment tool. The new licensing procedures improve consistency in safety standards and more accurately matches care providers with children to meet their particular levels of need. For all of the specified levels, foster parents must meet minimal safety requirements which include background checks, an inspection of the home's physical environment, and an understanding and ability to meet a child's identified needs.

This page is meant to assist licensing agencies, case workers, and foster parents in navigating their way through the new Levels of Care Initiative that went into effect on January 1, 2010.  The Initiative will be phased in as the necessary laws, rules, and policies are changed.

• DCF 56
• Act 71
• DCF 50

Trainings

• CANS On-Line Training, Certification and Re-Certification Resource
• Webcasts

  • Title: LOC Technical Assistance - CANS Implementation
    Link: http://dwdmedia.wi.gov/main/Viewer/?peid=9332ce28a44f4ca58578f1058b4907db
    Handout: LOC Webcast 7 - The CANS Tool (PDF, 158 KB)

  • Title: LOC Funding and Monitoring Report
    Link: http://dwdmedia.wi.gov/main/Viewer/?peid=099eb2b6a1b04377830525ac9a3adf7b
    Handout: Funding and Conversion Tracking Reports (PDF, 292 KB)

  • Title: Levels Of Care Reference Guide
    Link: http://dwdmedia.wi.gov/main/Viewer/?peid=08e5968ac40a46f99e7d2e7d717d0a54
    Handout: Levels of Care Reference Guide (PDF, 12 MB)

  • Title: Exceptions, Waivers and Kinship Care Appeals
    Link: http://dwdmedia.wi.gov/main/Viewer/?peid=f256f5598356443799c8024d1eef80a8
    Description:  DSP will be providing TA on the new Levels of Care
    Foster Care Licensing Initiative
    Handout:  Foster Care - The Difference between Exceptions and Waivers and Kinship Care Appeals  (PDF, 139 kb)

  • Title:  Guardianships and LOC eWiSACWIS Documentation
    Link: http://dwdmedia.wi.gov/main/Viewer/?peid=382f9422716d40dfb33248178074de00
    Description:  DSP will be providing TA on the new Levels of Care Foster Care Licensing Initiative
    Handout:  Guardianships and LOC Documentation in eWiSACWIS   (PDF, 3196 kb)

  • Title: LOC Technical Assistance - Who Does LOC Apply to and When?
    Link: http://dwdmedia.wi.gov/main/Viewer/?peid=f05b22f56f4f464ea9c3a33972d03fae
    Who Does LOC Apply to and When Webcast - Handout

  • Title: LOC Technical Assistance - Court Process
    Link: hhttp://dwdmedia.wi.gov/main/Viewer/?peid=f3599a312d914d4da00e3fa0174f40fb
    Court Process Webcast - Handouts
    Email Questions to: DCFLOCWebcasts@wisconsin.gov

Resources

• Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) letter to Foster Parents
• Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Frequently Asked Questions
• Learn more about the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) tool
• Information Regarding the Wisconsin Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Tool
• Information for Families Regarding the Wisconsin Comprehensive Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Tool
• Brochure:  Levels of Care Foster Care Licensing  (dcf-p-2644)