3.15.01 Applying as a Licensed or Unlicensed Kinship Caregiver

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

Chapter Number & Title: 3.15 Kinship Care

Policy Number & Title: 3.15.01 Applying as a Licensed or Unlicensed Kinship Caregiver

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to LD workers when processing applications for licensed or unlicensed kinship caregivers.

Authority

42 USC § 671 State plan for foster care and adoption assistance 
RCW 49.60.030 Freedom from discrimination, declaration of civil rights 
RCW 74.13.332 Rights of foster parents 
Chapter 74.15 RCW Care of children, expectant mothers, persons with developmental disabilities 
Chapter 110-149 WAC Licensing requirements for kinship homes

Policy 

LD workers must complete the following when they receive kinship applications for licensed or unlicensed kinship care:

  1. Inform kinship applicants they may either apply:
    1. For an unlicensed home study which does not provide foster care maintenance payments.
    2. To receive one of the following which provides foster care maintenance payments:
      1. Kinship license, per chapter 110-149 WAC.
      2. Foster home license, per chapter 110-148 WAC.
  2. Assess competence and suitability of kinship applicants to care for specific children or youth already placed in their care or may be placed in their care.
  3. Follow these DCYF Administrative policies when completing kinship home studies or kinship licenses:
    1. 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities to provide:
      1. The public Notice of Nondiscrimination DCYF ADM_0026 publication to kinship caregivers.
      2. Services to individuals with disabilities, if applicable.
    2. 11.25 Child Care Licensing or Approval, Program Payments and Enrollment, Foster Care Licensing, Placement, and Adoption for DCYF Employees for assignment and file restriction.
  4. Verify kinship applicants:
    1. Submitted a completed application.
    2. Meet the requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC prior to issuing the kinship license, if they chose to be licensed.
  5. Withdraw applications in writing.

Resources

Applying as a Licensed or Unlicensed Kinship Caregiver procedures (located on the DCYF policies and rules intranet page, licensing division procedures)

Child Welfare Caregiver Support Level and Foster Care Rate Assessment Determination policy

Completing Kinship Home Studies policy

DCYF Administrative 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities policy

Public Notice of Nondiscrimination DCYF ADM_0026 publication

Original Date:  September 27, 1995

Revised Date: July 1, 2025

Review Date:  July 31, 2029    

Approved by: Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division