Foster Parent Training All foster parents are given a Level of Care certification during the foster care licensing process based on meeting the following: Qualifications Training Foster parent references Foster parent experience There are five Levels of Care. Each Level of Care certification has a specific number of training hours, personal references, and experience requirements. Training is necessary to prepare foster parents and help them to continue to develop as a foster parent. Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Level 5Program Manager Level 5Program Staff Pre-placement: 6 Hours Pre-placement: 6 Hours Pre-placement: 36 Hours Pre-placement: 36 Hours Pre-placement: 40 hours (4 of which must be child or population specific) Pre-placement: 40 hours (15 of which must be child or population specific); 80 hours of orientation (Working with qualified, experienced program staff or similar professionals) Initial Licensing: Not required Initial Licensing: 30 hours (to be completed during the initial licensing period) Initial Licensing: 24 hours Plus 4 hours of child specific training Initial Licensing: 24 hours Initial Licensing: 24 hours Initial Licensing: Not required Plus 6 hours of child specific training Ongoing Training: Not required Ongoing Training: 10 hours each year of licensure beyond the initial licensing period Ongoing Training: 18 hours each year of licensure beyond the initial licensing period Ongoing Training: 24 hours each year of licensure beyond the initial licensing period Ongoing Training: 24 hours each year of licensure beyond the initial licensing period Ongoing Training: 24 hours each year of licensure beyond the initial licensing period Being a successful foster parent means continuing to learn through: Classes and other training methods Reading books or magazines Talking with other foster parents Continually developing new skills Each foster parent is required to complete training in relation to their Level of Care certification. Training requirements fall into three categories: Pre-placement Initial licensing Ongoing Pre-placement Training Completed within 6 months of licensure. Provides an overview of the child welfare system and the foster care program. Initial Licensing Training Next step in foster parent training. Completed in the initial licensing period. Provides a solid foundation of education on foster care and child welfare issues. Foster parents learn more information about: Permanence Culture Child development Family connections Abuse and neglect Attachment Discipline Effects of fostering on the foster family Ongoing Training Offered on a continual basis Completed in each 12-month period of licensure subsequent to the initial licensing period Provides education topics specific to the children placed in a foster home Opportunity to explore areas of interest Learn more about how to meet the needs of children placed in a foster home. Completed in many ways Foster parents should talk with their licensing worker about this training. Each Level of Care certification has a specific number of required foster parent training hours, which are outlined in the table. Complete foster parent training requirements are listed in Wisconsin Administrative Code Chapter DCF 56.14. If a foster parent has completed adoption training as part of the adoption requirements, some of the Initial Licensing training can be met by that training. The Pre-Adoptive Training and Foundation Training Crosswalk provides more information. For more information about books, videos, and other trainings available, talk with your licensor or contact the Wisconsin Family Connections Center (WiFCC). Staff at the WiFCC can also be reached by telephone at +1 (800) 762-8063.
