3.20.90 Adverse Actions on Licenses for Foster Homes, Child Placing Agencies (CPA), CPA Certified Foster Homes, and Group Care Facilities (GCF)

Applies to:  This policy applies to Licensing Division (LD) employees. 

Chapter Number & Title:  3.20 Foster Care, Group Care Facilities (GCF), and Child Placing Agencies (CPA)       

Policy Number & Title:  3.20.90 Adverse Actions on Licenses for Foster Homes, Child Placing Agencies (CPA), CPA Certified Foster Homes, and Group Care Facilities (GCF)

Effective Date: May 1, 2026

Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to LD workers when licensing violations occur in state licensed foster homes, child placing agencies (CPA), CPA certified foster homes, or group care facilities (GCF) that affect the health, safety, and well-being of children and youth placed in their care.

Authority

RCW 43.20A.205  Denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of license.
RCW 74.14A.020  Services for emotionally disturbed and mentally ill children, potentially                  dependent children, and families-in-conflict.
RCW 74.15.010  Declaration of purpose.
RCW 74.15.130  Denial, suspension, revocation, modification-procedures-adjudicative proceedings-penalties.
WAC 110-145-2380  Disqualification of applicants and licensees
WAC 110-145-3540  Compliance agreements and exceptions
WAC 110-145-3550  Probationary licenses
WAC 110-145-3560  Enforcement actions, notices, and appeals
WAC 110-147-1410  Will you license or continue to license me if I violate licensing regulations
WAC 110-148-1625  Will you license or continue to license me if I violate licensing requirements
WAC 110-148-1635  Can people living in my home be disqualified from having access to the children in my care

Policy

  1. LD workers: 
    1. Must complete the following when a licensing violation occurs in state or CPA certified licensed foster homes, GCFs, or CPAs that affects the health, safety, and well-being of children or youth placed in their care: 
      1. Review LD jurisdiction on:
        1. Foster home licenses and licensing applications following WAC 110-148-1625.
        2. GCFs following WAC 110-145-3560.
        3. CPAs following WAC 110-147-1410.
      2. Maintain jurisdiction on state or CPA certified foster home licenses, GCF licenses, CPA licenses, and licensing applications even if individuals:
        1. Request to withdraw their licensing application.
        2. Surrender their license.
        3. Fail to renew their license.
      3. Gather information to determine whether to take an adverse action on a license.
      4. Send information on adverse action to supervisor for approval.
      5. Take an adverse action on the license when approved by the supervisor, including denying, suspending, modifying, or revoking a license when it has been determined that a licensee cannot provide care for children or youth in a manner that meets their health, safety, and well-being, per:
        1. WAC 110-148-1625 for foster licenses.
        2. WAC 110-145-3560 for GCF licenses.
        3. WAC 110-147-1410 for CPA licenses.
      6. Deny individuals from having unsupervised contact with children and youth in out-of-home care if they do not meet requirements in:
        1. RCW 74.15.010.
        2. Chapter 110-148 WAC for foster home licenses.
        3. Chapter 110-145 WAC for GCF licenses.
        4. Chapter 110-147 WAC for CPA licenses.
      7. Send a certified letter when a decision is made to modify, deny, suspend, or revoke a license.
    2. May complete the following when a violation has occurred in a state or CPA certified licensed foster home, GCF, or CPA:
      1. Limit or restrict a license or require the licensee to enter into a compliance agreement to verify the health, safety, and well-being of children and youth in their care.
      2. Suspend or revoke a license if a foster home, GCF, or CPA has one or more of the following without prior LD worker approval:
        1. More foster children or youth than allowed on their license.
        2. Foster children or youth of different ages or genders than the license allows.   
  2.  LD supervisors must review adverse actions taken on a license for approval and send them to the area administrator for final approval.
  3. Area administrators must:
    1. Review adverse actions taken on a license for approval.
    2. Notify LD workers and supervisors of their decision. 

 Resources

Adverse Actions on Licenses for Foster Homes, Child Placing Agencies (CPA), CPA Certified Foster Homes, and Group Care Facilities (GCF) procedures (Located on the DCYF policies and rules intranet page, licensing division procedures)

Original Date:  September 27, 1995   

Revised Date:  May 1, 2026

Review Date:  May 31, 2030    

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division