Special Education

Children in Residential Care Centers

Residential Care Centers (RCCs), formerly known as Child Caring Institutions (CCIs), are facilities operated by a child welfare agency licensed under Wis. Stat. § 48.60 for the care of children residing within. Wis. Stat. § 115.76(14g). The responsibilities of Wisconsin local educational agencies (LEAs), counties, and state agencies for the education of children with disabilities residing in RCCs are found in Wis. Stat. § 115.81.

The Department of Public Instruction cooperates with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to ensure children with disabilities residing in RCCs receive a free appropriate public education (FAPE). DCF licensing specialists conduct onsite reviews of facility compliance, including requirements relating to educating children with disabilities in RCCs.

Each resident child with a disability in an RCC placement funded by a county or a state agency has a "responsible local educational agency." This agency is the local educational agency that was responsible for providing a free appropriate public education to the child before placement in the RCC. There is an exception if the child resided before RCC placement in a facility operated by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (inpatient mental health facility or a center for people with developmental disabilities) or a type 1 juvenile correctional facility operated by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections. In those situations, the responsible LEA is the school district where the RCC is located.

Requirements

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