Wisconsin Rate Regulation for Child Welfare Licensed Agencies

The Department of Children and Families is required to establish daily rates for Group Homes (GHs) and Residential Care Centers (RCCs), as well as the administrative daily rates for Child Placing Agencies (CPAs) per administrative rule DCF 57.60, DCF 52.64, DCF 54.07, and s. 49.343.

DCF Approved Rates

Child Placing Agencies

Group Homes

Residential Care Centers

Provider Cost and Service Report

For use by providers to report their costs to the Department by July 1 of each year:

Training Webinars

These webinars provide guidance on how to complete the Provider Cost & Service Report for any given year.

Session 1: Brief Overview
Session 2: Current Year Changes Highlights
Session 3: Cover tab
Session 4: Validation tab
Session 5: Prop & Trans tab
Session 6: Consumables tab
Session 7: Personnel tab
Session 8: Assumptions and PY Assumptions tabs
Session 9: Multiple Programs
Session 10: Rate Calc
Session 11: Above the Max Justification

Forms & Documents

For use by providers to report their costs to the Department by July 1 of each year:
- Cost Report for 2026 - GH and RCC version
- Cost Report for 2026 - CPA Version
Extraordinary Payment Request (DCF-F-2794-E) - For use by providers to request extraordinary payments from Wisconsin Public Purchaser.
Proposed Rate Request Form (DCF-F-2696-E) - For use by providers to request their daily rate each year.
Request for Rate Regulation Exception (DCF-F-2809-E) - For use by providers to request exemption from the Rate Regulation process if they do not accept funds from Wisconsin Public Purchasers.
2025 Maximum Daily Rates for Group Homes, Residential Care Centers, and Child Placing Agencies - Each year the maximum daily rate is set for group homes, residential care centers, and child placing agencies.
Cost Category Maximums 2025

Cost Report Guidance

Cost Report: Tips and Tricks (DCF-P-5546) - To aid providers in completing their cost reports

Rate Regulation & Review

In 2021, the Department of Children and Families worked with a consultant to perform a business process assessment of the current rate structure and existing rate regulation process to identify gaps and provide recommendations. The reports below summarize key findings and recommendations.

Rate Regulation Report - For the final rate regulation analysis and report.
Rate Regulation Report Appendix - Supporting documentation for the rate regulation report.

Contact Information: DCFCWLRateReg@wisconsin.gov