Wisconsin Foster Parents Needed for Autistic Kids

Kaylie is a happy, busy 10-year-old girl in Wisconsin foster care. She has Jacobsen's Syndrome and autism. She was referred to CCR from a Wisconsin county foster agency in hopes of finding a foster family with a flexible schedule to meet her higher needs. Here are some highlights about Kaylie:

Wisconsin foster parents needed for kids with ASD

Kaylie is primarily non-verbal but can communicate most of her needs. She is enrolled in special education and is currently in the 4th grade. She struggled with school attendance in her last two foster homes, which has definitely affected her progress and ability to learn. Previous teachers report that Kaylie does well when she consistently attends school.

Kaylie does well with call-and-response, mimicking activities, showing needs, and using visual boards. Most days, her behavior is calm, and learning goes well; however, she can become angry, aggressive, and resistant on other days.

Fostering kids with autism requires creativity and flexibility

Kaylie loves music, dancing, and singing. She enjoys making music by clapping, stomping, and using wooden spoons on various containers. Dancing with a partner brings a huge smile to her face. Kaylie loves boxes! She will play with empty cereal boxes and cracker boxes for hours, filling, folding, and dumping things out repeatedly.

Creating a supportive home environment is crucial for Kaylie's well-being. She can become easily frustrated and upset, so having a safe space for her to calm down is important. Modifying the home environment with dim lighting, calming music, and soft surfaces can greatly contribute to her comfort.

Weekly visits with biological family are supervised.

Kaylie loves weekly visits with her mom and gets very excited when she first sees her mother. Kaylie feels tired the day after her visits and struggles to wake up for school. All activities are a challenge when Kaylie feels tired.

An experienced foster home or one with autism experience is desired.

Kaylie requires additional supervision and care so a home with a flexible or at-home parent is preferred. Previous foster parents have recommended that Kaylie not be placed in a home with children under age seven. She requires too much attention and can be difficult to handle while tending to the needs of younger kids. Although Kaylie has not demonstrated any harm to family pets, a pet-free home is preferred.

The great news is we found a loving, flexible CCR home for Kaylie! There will be others like her referred to us. If you are interested in caring for kids with ASD, we would love to speak with you. Of course, we always need homes for siblings and older kids too.

All identifying information are altered to protect the privacy of children.

What Disqualifies You From Being a Foster Parent?

While having a criminal record can pose a barrier to becoming a foster parent in Wisconsin, it does not automatically disqualify someone from the potential to be a foster parent. Our responsibility is to ensure that the families we license through CCR are safe, stable, and nurturing. Any individual seeking approval to foster in Wisconsin will undergo mandatory background checks.

Background checks are required for foster parent applicants

Most disqualifications of foster parents in Wisconsin result from background checks. However, you don't need to worry. While there is a list of serious crimes and offenses that will prevent you from fostering, most offenses will not bar an applicant from obtaining a Wisconsin foster license.

All prospective foster parents, other adults residing in the home, children ages nine and older, and respite providers must undergo a criminal history background check. Prospective foster parents to be named on a license will also submit fingerprints.

Most offenses will not prevent you from being a foster parent.

Upon submitting the initial foster parent application, CCR applicants will receive the required background and fingerprint paperwork by mail. They must complete their fingerprints at a local police station and then return them to CCR for external processing. It may take 2-3 weeks to collect results from all the involved outside agencies. After that, our licensing department will review the results to determine if an applicant can proceed with the next steps of the licensing process.

CCR will run checks through the following agencies:

Local police and Sheriff
Local and State CPS (Child Protective Services)
Wisconsin DOJ (Department of Justice)
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations)
DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)
IBS (Interagency Border Inspection System)
Sexual Offender Registry

Foster parent applicants are encouraged to be forthcoming with any criminal history.

Our initial conversation with potential foster parents involves discussing a lot of information. We inquire about family dynamics, available bedroom space, support systems, work schedules, and criminal history. It's crucial to be honest from the start rather than discovering a month later that something in your background will prevent you from fostering. There is no judgment here! Our staff has spoken with thousands of potential foster parents and can quickly determine if your history may disqualify you from fostering.

Don't worry too much if you have one or several of the following.

Possession of marijuana
Speeding ticket
Expired plates, expired license
Disorderly conduct
Theft
DUI (if rehab classes were completed)

Of course, these are just examples, and there is never a guarantee of licensure. Our licensing department must ensure prospective foster parents can provide a safe, stable home environment for children and youth with trauma histories. Our staff is happy to talk with you about your personal history or situation and give you more insight and direction regarding any crimes or offenses.

The following is a partial list of offenses barring an individual from fostering for five years after said crime was committed, then barred unless rehabilitation approval is granted.

Injury or death by providing alcoholic beverages to a minor
Make, alter, or duplicate ID for money or other compensation
Injury by intoxicated use of a vehicle
Abuse of vulnerable adults
Uniform Controlled Substances Act under Wisconsin Stat 961
Battery or threat to health care providers and staff
Battery of special circumstances

What does this mean? Am I disqualified from being a foster parent?

A foster license will NOT be issued to anyone convicted of a felony, including but not limited to:

1st or 2nd-degree Intentional homicide or reckless homicide. Felony murder.
1st, 2nd, 3rd degree sexual assault
Reckless injury. Battery of spouse. Mayhem.
Human trafficking, Taking hostages, Kidnapping, Disarming a peace officer
Endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon
She was operating a vehicle without the owner's consent while possessing a dangerous weapon.
Any crimes against children pursuant to Wisconsin Stat 948

What else might disqualify me from being a CCR foster parent?

There are many requirements to be a foster parent. Most people meet the basic requirements to foster. However, there are occasions when we must turn away a prospective applicant. Recently an applicant did not have a valid driver's license. Unfortunately, we could not proceed with her application. Another applicant lived in a one-bedroom apartment without plans to move. Unfortunately, a second bedroom is required as foster kids cannot share a room with adults.

There are many requirements and examples, and our staff looks forward to speaking with you confidently about your situation.