3.15.10 Completing Kinship Home Studies

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

Chapter Number & Title:  3.15 Kinship Care

Policy Number & Title: 3.15.10 Completing Kinship Home Studies 

Effective Date:  July 1, 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on how LD employees will:

  • Assess applicants’ abilities to provide a safe and healthy environment for specific children and youth in out-of-home placement.
  • Provide support and services to applicants to meet the specific needs of children and youth in out-of-home placement.
  • Complete the home study.

Authority

RCW 26.33.180  Preplacement report required before placement with adoptive parent, exception
RCW 26.33.190  Placement report, requirements, fees
RCW 43.20A.205  Denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of license
Chapter 74.13 RCW  Child welfare services
RCW 74.14A.020  Services for emotionally disturbed and mentally ill children, potentially dependent children, and families in conflict
Chapter 74.15 RCW  Care of children, expectant mothers, persons with developmental disabilities
Chapter 110-03 WAC  Administrative hearings      

Policy

  1. LD workers must:
    1. Complete the following when a kinship home study is requested for children or youth placed in out-of-home care:
      1. Verify children or youth remain in an out-of-home placement.
      2. Determine whether a new or updated kinship home study:
        1. Is needed following the criteria in sections 1.e., 1.f., and 2.
        2. Will be for either:
          1. Licensed kinship care.
          2. Unlicensed kinship care.
      3. Kinship home studies with individuals who are:
        1. Identified to care for or are caring for children or youth in out-of-home care.
        2. Other identified kinship caregivers for the same children or youth when requested.
        3. Applying to care for children or youth.
      4. An assessment that includes the following:
        1. The competence and suitability of kinship applicants’ ability to meet the specific needs of the children or youth.
        2. Verification that the conditions of the home meet the developmental and specific needs of children or youth placed in out-of-home care.
      5. Kinship home studies for youth participating in the Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program when the kinship applicants request to be licensed.
    2. Make reasonable efforts to assist kinship applicants in obtaining the necessary items and support to meet the kinship home study requirements.
    3. Follow the DCYF Administrative 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities policy to provide the following:
      1. Public Notice of Nondiscrimination ADM_0026 publication to kinship caregivers.
      2. Services to individuals with disabilities, if applicable.
    4. Inform denied:
      1. Kinship licensing applicants of their right to request an administrative hearing to contest DCYFs decision to deny their license, per chapter 110-03 WAC
      2. Unlicensed home study applicants:
        1. They do not have the right to an administrative hearing to contest the outcome of their home study, unless they are applying for kinship or foster care license.
        2. A denied home study does not prevent them from reapplying in the future.
    5. Complete new kinship home studies when either there is:
      1. No previously approved DCYF home study.
      2. An addition or removal of a caregiver.
    6. Update kinship home studies to address a change in kinship caregivers’ circumstances when any of the following occur:
      1. A significant change within the household impacting their ability to care for the specific needs of children or youth in out-of-home placement. This includes when either:
        1. A new household member is added who may pose a risk to children or youth.
        2. A change in circumstance to an existing household member takes place that may pose a risk to children or youth.
        3. A medical condition, mental health condition, or significant change occurs affecting their ability to provide care.
      2. Additional children or youth are placed in the home.
      3. The children’s or youth’s permanent plan does not align with the recommendations of the current home study.
      4. The court requires an update.
    7. Verify that:
      1. New and updated home studies are approved, denied, or withdrawn in writing when completed.
      2. Partially completed home studies are completed when both of the following apply:
        1. There are children or youth placed in the caregiver’s home who were not included in a prior approved home study.
        2. Additional services or evaluations related to the children or youth's safety, or specific needs are necessary to make a recommendation for approval or denial.
  2. LD workers will not complete home studies for kinship caregivers when children or youth are in:  
    1. EFC supervised independent living (SIL) placements.
    2. EFC when the kinship applicant does not request to be licensed.
    3. Voluntary Placement Agreements (VPAs).
  3. LD workers may update kinship home studies when:
    1. The kinship caregivers:
      1. Agree to provide respite for additional children or youth.
      2. Are identified as a new placement for children or youth and have any of the following current or previously approved:
        1. Kinship care home study
        2. Kinship license
        3. Foster license
    2. There are concerns about the kinship caregiver’s ability to meet the safety, health, and well-being of the specific kinship children or youth placed in out-of-home care.
    3. A home study update request is received that doesn’t meet the requirements in 3.a and 3.b but the request is approved by the area administrator.
  4. LD supervisors must:
    1. Approve, withdraw, or deny completed home studies in writing.
    2. Follow the Adverse Actions on a Kinship License policy when denying a licensed home study.
  5. LD area administrators must:
    1. Determine if an updated home study is appropriate based on the specific needs of the children or youth placed in out-of-home care when the requirements in 3.c. are met.
    2. Follow the Adverse Actions on a Kinship License policy when considering denying a licensed home study. 

Resources

DCYF Administrative 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities policy

Public Notice of Nondiscrimination ADM_0026 publication

Concrete Goods policy

Original Date:  July 1, 2025    

Review Date:  July 31, 2029

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division