4265. Caregiver Support Level and Foster Care Rate Assessment Determination

Applies To:  This policy applies to Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) employees.

Policy Number & Title:  4265. Caregiver Support Level and Foster Care Rate Assessment Determination

Effective Date:  July 1, 2024

Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on how to determine the:

  • Caregivers' support levels (CSL) for all caregivers
  • The foster care maintenance payments (FCMPs) for licensed caregivers of children and youth placed in out-of-home care, up to 21 years old if enrolled in the Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program. 

Authority 

45 CFR §1356.21  Foster care maintenance payments program implementation requirements

42 USC §672  Foster care maintenance payments program

RCW 74.13.031  Duties of department - Child welfare services - Children's services advisory committee

WAC 110-50-0440    Foster care maintenance payment and standardized assessment tool. 

Policy 

  1. The Financial and Business Services Division employees must complete an economic analysis every four years to determine the basic FCMP, per 45 CFR §1356.21.
  2. The National Crime Information Crime (NCIC) Background Check Unit (BCU) and fiduciaries must document the children’s and youth’s placement in FamLink.
  3. Placement Resource Specialists (PRSs) must determine the:
    1. CSL for unlicensed and licensed caregivers.
    2. Foster care reimbursement level (FCRL) for licensed caregivers for children and youth placed in their home. Levels will be determined by the Caregiver Support Level Tool DCYF 15-007 form and are based on the needs of the children or youth, per WAC 110-50-0440. The rates are the same for licensed:
      1. Relatives
      2. Suitable persons
      3. Foster parents

Forms 

Caregiver Support Level Tool DCYF 15-007 (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)

Resources

Caregiver Support Level and Foster Care Rate Assessment Determination (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Original Date: February 15, 1998 

Revised Date: July 1, 2024 

Review Date:  July 31, 2028

Approved by:  Vickie Ybarra, Assistant Secretary of Partnerships, Prevention, and Services