3.15.80 Review of Licensing Requirements for Kinship Homes

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

Chapter Number & Title: 3.15. Kinship Care

Policy Number & Title: 3.15.80 Review of Licensing Requirements for Kinship Homes

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance when reviewing licensing requirements to determine if supports and services are needed to assist kinship caregivers in meeting the licensing requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC.

Authority

Chapter 74.15 RCW  Care of Children, Expectant Mothers, Persons with Developmental Disabilities
RCW 74.15.010  Declaration of Purpose
Chapter 110-149 WAC  Licensing Requirements for Kinship Homes

Policy

1. LD workers must complete the following when they receive information that licensed kinship homes may need supports or services to meet the licensing requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC:
   1. Review the information and:
      1. Immediately address issues identified that impact the health, safety, and well-being of children or youth in care.
      2. Determine what supports or services may be needed to meet their licensing requirements.
   2. Follow DCYF Administrative 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities policy to provide kinship caregivers and others interviewed during the process
      1. The Public Notice of Nondiscrimination DCYF HR_0012.
      2. Services to individuals with disabilities, if applicable.
   3. When information is received through an intake:
      1. Complete the review within 45 calendar days as either a:
         1. Valid finding, based on facts obtained during the investigation when there is reasonable cause to believe that the rules in chapter 110-149 WAC were not followed and support may be needed.
         2. Not valid finding, based on the facts obtained during the investigation when there is reasonable cause to believe that the rule was followed.
      2. Notify the licensed kinship caregiver of the results in writing.
      3. Request an extension of the review, if needed.
   4. Assist the licensed kinship caregivers by providing supports and services to:
      1. Meet the:
         1. Specific needs of children or youth in care.
         2. Licensing requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC.
      2. Develop and complete a Licensing Support Agreement (Kinship) DCYF 10-058 form when chapter 110-149 WAC were not followed and support is needed.
2. Supervisors must complete the following when information is received through an intake:
   1. Must:
      1. Approve the valid or not valid finding within 45 calendar days of the intake and mark the investigation as completed.
      2. Document any extension of the review in a provider note.
   2. May approve an extension of the review in writing.

Forms

Licensing Support Agreement (Kinship) DCYF 10-058 (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet) 

Review of Licensing Requirements for Kinship Homes procedures (located on the DCYF policies and rules intranet page, licensing division procedures)

Resources

DCYF Administrative 6.03. Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities policy

Concrete Goods policy

Public Notice of Nondiscrimination DCYF HR_0012 publication

Original Date:  July 1, 2025 

Review Date:   July 31, 2029

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division