3.15.90 Adverse Actions on Kinship Licenses

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

Chapter Number & Title:  3.15 Kinship Care      

Policy Number & Title:  3.15.90 Adverse Actions on Kinship Licenses 

Effective Date:  July 1, 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to LD workers when supporting kinship applicants or caregivers when: 

  • Licensing requirements are not met.
  • Adverse action needs to be taken on a kinship license because licensing requirements that affect the health, safety, and well-being of children or youth in care cannot be met.

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 74.15.125  Probationary licenses-Child-specific licenses 
RCW 74.15.130  Denial, suspension, revocation, modification-procedures-adjudicative proceedings-penalties.
Chapter 110-149 WAC  Licensing Requirements for Kinship Homes 
WAC 110-149-0410  Denying, suspending, or revoking a license

Policy

LD workers: 

  1. Must complete the following when they have determined that the licensed kinship caregivers:
    1. Are not meeting the requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC:
      1. Disqualify kinship caregivers or those living in a kinship caregiver’s home if they cannot have unsupervised access to children or youth because they did not pass their background check.
      2. Develop a licensing support agreement with kinship caregivers to mitigate the concern.
      3. Monitor kinship caregivers in completing the licensing support agreement.
      4. Support kinship caregivers in meeting the requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC.
      5. Assist kinship caregivers prior to denying, suspending, or revoking their license.
    2. Cannot meet the requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC after support or services have been provided, and the unmet requirements affect the health, safety, and well-being of children or youth placed in their care:
      1. Maintain LD jurisdiction on the kinship license as outlined in WAC 110-149-0410, even if individuals:
        1. Request to withdraw their licensing application.
        2. Surrender their license.
        3. Fail to renew their license.
      2. Send a certified letter to kinship caregivers when a decision has been made by an area administrator to deny, suspend, or revoke a license.
  2. May deny, suspend, or revoke a license when they have determined the licensed kinship caregivers:
    1. Have abused or neglected children or youth as outlined in RCW 26.44.020.
    2. Do not meet the licensing requirements in WAC 110-149-0410. 

Resources

Adverse Actions on Kinship Licenses (located on the DCYF policies and rules intranet page, licensing division procedures)

Original Date:  July 1, 2025     

Review Date:   July 31, 2029

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division