STATE OF WISCONSIN
Department of Health and Family Services
Division of Children and Family Services		                  DCFS Memo Series 2005 - 15
                 November 23, 2005
                 Re:  Basic Maintenance Foster Care
                        rates for CY 2006

 

To:  Area Administrators/Human Services Area Coordinators
Bureau Directors
County Departments of Community Programs Directors
County Departments of Developmental Disabilities
Services Directors
County Departments of Human Services Directors
County Departments of Social Services Directors
Licensing Chiefs/Section Chiefs
Tribal Chairpersons/Human Services Facilitators
From: Burnie Bridge
Administrator

 

As provided in the biennial budget (2005 Wisconsin Act 25), the new Basic Maintenance rates for Foster Care are as follows:

                   Child's Age      Rate effective January 1, 2006
                        0-4                      $317.00
                        5-11                      $346.00
                       12-14                      $394.00
                       15-18                      $411.00

 Funds for the rate increase are included in the Basic County Allocation for Community Aids. Fifty percent of the calendar year funding for the rate increase was included in the initial 2006 State/County contract. The remaining 50% of the 2006 calendar year funding will be sent out via a contract amendment to the 2006 State/County contract in late January or early February.

The revised brochure entitled "Understanding the Uniform Foster Care Rate" will be available in the near future. DCFS will post the brochure to the web.

Changes to e-WiSACWIS

A new batch run has been created to facilitate accurate updates of the Basic Maintenance Rates and existing Foster Care Rate Settings. When the Uniform Foster Care Rates (UFCR) are updated, the following will occur:

  • The batch will end the currently active Rate Setting for reason of "UFCR Change

  • The batch will create a new Foster Care Rate Setting with the newly adjusted rates

  • The batch will accurately make adjustments to Rate Settings with Contracted Rates

  • Placement Service Codes will not be affected

In situations where a county is utilizing contracted rates with a provider, and that contracted rate is documented on the rate setting, the increased amount will increase the basic portion of the contracted rate and reduce the exceptional amount proportionally. If a county wants to pass on the increase to the contracted provider, the county must create a new rate setting with a new contracted rate in order to increase the overall rate that is paid.

REGIONAL OFFICE CONTACT: Area Administrator
CENTRAL OFFICE CONTACT: S. Kate Johnson
Bureau of Program and Policies
DCFS
P.O. Box 8916
Madison, WI 53708-8916
Phone: 608-266-6874
E-Mail: johnssk@dhfs.state.wi.us

 

eWiSACWIS CONTACT: HELP DESK

Attachment
Basic Maintenance Brochure (PDF, 32 kb)

 

c: County CPS Supervisors
Tribal Child Welfare Contacts