Child Welfare License Application Instructions Group Home, Residential Care Center, Shelter Care, Child Placing Agency Aligned with the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) and Wisconsin’s commitment to putting families first, our focus is on serving children with their families and in their communities and not unnecessarily increasing the number of congregate care facilities. Interested applicants should understand that the FFPSA added new requirements for congregate care settings to become Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTP). QRTP designation requires a facility to become nationally accredited by an accrediting body, in addition to becoming licensed by the state of Wisconsin. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to review all additional weblinks found in the “Resources” tab for more information to ensure a full understanding of financial and programmatic commitment this requires. Additional information about each license type can be found below. Group Home DCF, along with a statewide panel, conducts a Need Determination process to determine whether there is need for new facilities in Wisconsin. The Need Determination Panel will provide a Statement of Need report which will include; Wisconsin’s need for facilities that can serve specific target populations, geographical areas, and other characteristics of needs underserved in Wisconsin. Note: A Statement of Need will be released in Q4 of 2026 for 2027. All applications and expressed interest in 2026 will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Review Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 57 to ensure that your facility will be able to meet the requirements. Review the Needs Determination Publication to understand the process. Review the Statement of Need report published by DCF to determine if your facility will be able to meet the stated needs in Wisconsin. Residential Care Centers for Children and Youth Review Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 52 to ensure that your facility will be able to meet the requirements. Before an application may be requested by an individual interested in opening a Residential Care Center, a Needs Determination Application must be submitted to the Child Welfare Program Specialist. Once the Needs Determination Application has been submitted, an initial application packet may be requested. Shelter Care Review Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 59 to ensure that your facility will be able to meet the requirements. To request an application, email DCFInitialApplication@wisconsin.gov. Child Placing Agency Review Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 54 and Wisconsin Administrative Code DCF 56 to ensure that your program will be able to meet the requirements. To request an application, email DCFInitialApplication@wisconsin.gov. Review and complete the application Once your application has been received, carefully review all materials. Complete the application and gather ALL supporting documents. Submit all materials to the department as directed in the application packet. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed by the Child Welfare Licensing staff and you will be contacted about the next steps in the process. Any questions regarding this process may be sent to DCFCWLR@wisconsin.gov License Continuation Child Welfare Licenses are non-expiring but need to be continued every 2 years. Facilities are notified by email when continuation materials are available on the Provider Information Exchange (PIE). Materials must be completed and submitted to PIE 30 days prior to continuation.
