Section 58.11. Verification of relationship and residence and notification.

 

(1)   Verification of relationship.

(a) Each agency administering the kinship care program shall establish a written policy describing its standards for establishing verification of the relative relationship and shall indicate whether any specific documents, such as a birth certificate, a marriage license, guardianship papers or paternity papers, will be required. Each agency's written policy shall include both of the following:

1. A statement that if the agency's normal standard for verification has been met but the agency has come to suspect that the relationship is in doubt, the agency may request additional information.

2. A statement that the agency shall accept alternative forms of verification of the relationship, as specified in the agency's written policy, if documents specified in the agency's written policy under par. (a) are not available to the applicant.

(b) An applicant shall provide to the agency verification required by the agency by written policy that the applicant is related to the child.

(c) The agency shall maintain in a kinship care relative's case record a copy of any written verification provided by the kinship care relative, at the time of application or later, that is used by the agency to verify the relationship. If the verification is not in writing, the agency shall maintain in the case record a narrative statement of the verification.

(2)   Verification of residence.

(a) Each agency administering the kinship care program shall establish a written policy describing its standards for establishing verification of residence, including a description of any specific documentation, such as the child's medical assistance card or a written statement from a school representative, that may be required.

(b) Each written policy under this subsection shall include a statement that the agency shall accept alternative forms of verification of the residence, as specified in the agency's written policy, if documents specified in the agency's written policy under par. (a) are not available to the applicant.

(c) The applicant or kinship care relative shall provide to the agency verification required by the agency by written policy that the child is or will be residing with the applicant or kinship care relative.

(d) The agency shall maintain in a kinship care relative's case record a copy of any written verification provided by the kinship care relative, at the time of application or later, or otherwise obtained by the agency that is used by the agency to verify that the child resides with the kinship care relative. If the verification is not in writing, the agency shall maintain in the case record a narrative statement of the verification.

(3)   Notification. At the time that a relative first applies for kinship care and at every review thereafter, if the child is placed by a court order, the agency shall notify the relative caretaker that he or she may be eligible for long-term kinship care pursuant to this section and shall notify the relative as to the eligibility requirements for long-term kinship care.

CR 99-071 : cr. Register January 2002 No. 553 , eff. 2-1-02.