DMR.7.4.020 Qualifications.
(a) Personal Characteristics. Any person licensed to operate a foster home shall be a responsible, mature adult who is fit and qualified, exercises sound judgement and displays the capacity to successfully nurture foster children, does not abuse alcohol, or drugs, and does not have a pending criminal charge or a finding by a government body of civil or criminal violation of statutes, regulations, or ordinances that is substantially related to caring for children or the operation of a foster home. The applicant or licensee shall give truthful and sufficient information to enable Indian Child Welfare to verify whether, or not they meet the requirements needed to operate a Foster Home. Giving false information or withholding relevant information shall constitute grounds for denial or revocation of the license.
(b) Experience. Applicants shall have some experience working with children and may be required to complete training that is directed towards working with children with complex emotional needs.
(c) Age. No applicant may receive a license for the first time when one or both are under twenty-one (21) years of age.
(d) Health. All members of the family household shall be in good physical and mental health that shall not adversely affect the health of the children, or the quality of or care given to children placed in foster care. If at any time the physical or mental health of any caregiver or family member comes into question, and if it could possibly endanger foster children placed in the home, Indian Child Welfare or Tribal Council may request a written statement from a qualified medical professional, certifying the condition of the person to safely continue having foster children in the home.
(e) Marital Status. Applicants may be single or married. All couples shall both fill out the application to foster. Any change in household composition, shall be reported with fourteen (14) days of the change. If a new caregiver moves in, they shall fill out an application and be subject to be medically cleared with a Physical, T.B. Test, Fingerprints, and Background Check.
(f) Residence. Applicants shall reside in Sawyer County. One of the applicants in the home shall be an enrolled tribal member, or the applicants live within Reservation Boundaries, which is important for the cultural aspect for children to maintain their connections to the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Community.