Child Welfare Facility Licensing For Group Home, Residential Care Center For Children and Youth, Shelter Care, & Child Placing Agency The Department of Children and Families (DCF), is responsible for licensing and monitoring child welfare agencies, to include Child Placing Agencies and Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth. In addition, DCF licenses Group Homes and Shelter Care Facilities serving children and youth throughout the state. DCF ensures that licensing requirements are met through ongoing inspection of licensed agencies. Group Homes Facilities operating to provide 24-hour care for 5-8 children or youth. Licensed by DCF under Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 57. Residential Care Centers Child welfare agencies that provide residential care and treatment for children, youth and young adults. Licensed by DCF under Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 52. Shelter Care Facilities Facilities that provide short-term, non-secure residential care of children pending court action, children placed under a voluntary placement agreement, and/or children in need of respite services. Licensed by DCF under Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 59. Child Placing Agencies Child welfare agencies licensed to place children in foster and adoptive homes, as well as group homes, when applicable. Licensed by DCF under Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 54. Child placing agencies may license their own foster homes under Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 56. Filing a Complaint A complaint about a child welfare facility may be made to DCFCWLR@wisconsin.gov. Complainant should try to provide as much detail regarding the complaint as possible. Once a complaint is received, the complaint will be assigned to a Licensing Specialist who will investigate the complaint. Directories of Licensed Child Welfare Agencies, Group Homes and Shelter Care Facilities Lists of licensed child welfare programs throughout the state are provided below. The lists are offered in Microsoft Excel and Adobe PDF. The lists are separated by license type and are updated monthly. Child welfare providers with questions about data shown in their directory listing should contact DCFCWLR@wisconsin.gov . Group Home Residential Care Center Shelter Care Child Placing Agency Facilities operating to provide 24-hour care for 5-8 children or youth. Directories Adobe PDF Microsoft Excel Child welfare agencies that provide residential care and treatment for children, youth and young adults. Directories Adobe PDF Microsoft Excel Facilities that provide short-term, non-secure residential care of children pending court action, children placed under a voluntary placement agreement, and/or children in need of respite services. Directories Adobe PDF Microsoft Excel Child welfare agencies licensed to place children in foster and adoptive homes, as well as group homes, when applicable. Directories Adobe PDF Microsoft Excel
