3.20.20 Initial, Kinship, Foster Care, and Provisional Expedited License

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

Chapter Number & Title:  20. Foster Care 

Policy Number & Title:  3.20.20. Initial, Kinship, Foster Home, and Provisional Expedited Licenses

Effective Date:  January 22, 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on how Licensing Division (LD):

  • Issues:
    • Initial licenses and kinship licenses to kinship caregivers.
    • Foster home licenses to individuals requesting to care for unrelated children or youth in out-of-home care. 
    • Provisional expedited foster home or kinship licenses to individuals when the criteria is met.
  • Re-evaluates foster homes to safeguard the safety and well-being of children in out-of-home care by assessing and monitoring their compliance with minimum licensing requirements (MLR). 
  • Completes no referrals on licensed homes.

Authority

RCW 43.20A.205  Denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of license
RCW 74.13.260  Site monitoring program
Chapter 74.15 RCW  Care of children, expectant mothers, persons with developmental disabilities.
Chapter 110-148 WAC  Licensing Requirements for Child Foster Homes

Policy

LD workers must complete the following:

  1. For initial licenses:
    1. Issue them up to 90 calendar days from the date the initial license was approved and the requirements in RCW 74.15.120 are met for unlicensed: 
      1. Relatives and suitable person caregivers for children and youth in DCYF placement and care authority (PCA).
      2. Caregivers for children or youth in tribal court PCA when tribes request an initial license. 
    2. Notify the children’s or youth’s caseworker if an initial license is denied. 
  2. When relatives or suitable persons apply for kinship licenses:
    1. Verify new kinship licenses and renewals:
      1. Are:
        1. Issued
          1. For a maximum of three years minus one day. 
          2. To include the age range of the youngest child’s or youth’s age and the oldest child’s or youth’s age plus three years, not to exceed 18 years old. 
        2. Placed on a FamLink “Voluntary No Referral” once the license is issued.
        3. Approved, withdrawn, or denied in writing. 
      2. That were issued as a child-specific foster home license are changed to a kinship license at renewal or when either:
        1. A move occurs within six months prior to the license expiration date.
        2. The licensed kinship caregiver requires an assessment that results in a new three-year license. 
    2. Discuss the importance of supporting and affirming children’s or youth’s relational and cultural needs with kinship caregivers. 
    3. Follow:
      1. These DCYF Administrative policies:
        1. 6.02 Access to Services for Clients and Caregivers who are Limited English Proficient (LEP)
        2. 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities
        3. 6.04 Supporting LGBTQIA+ Individuals
      2. The Completing Home Studies policy to complete the home study. 
      3. The Use of Administrative Approvals, Waivers, and Relative Non-Safety Exemptions policy when non-safety exemptions or waivers are needed to license a foster or kinship home.
    4. Confirm the WACs in chapter 110-148 WAC that do not have non-safety waivers or exemptions for the caregivers are:
      1. Met before a kinship care license is issued.
      2. Maintained through the duration of the license.
  3. When individuals apply for foster home licenses:
    1. Verify foster home licenses and renewals are:
      1. Issued for a maximum of three years minus one day.
      2. Approved, withdrawn, or denied in writing. 
    2. Discuss the importance of supporting and affirming the children’s or youth’s relational and cultural needs. 
    3. Follow these policies:
      1. DCYF Administrative policies:
        1. 6.02 Access to Services for Clients and Caregivers who are Limited English Proficient (LEP)
        2. 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities
        3. 6.04 Supporting LGBTQIA+ Individuals
      2. Completing Home Studies policy to complete the home study. 
    4. Confirm the chapter 110-148 WAC requirements are:
      1. Met before a foster license is issued.
      2. Maintained throughout the duration of the license.
  4. When individuals apply for provisional expedited foster home and kinship licenses verify the applicants meet the requirements in RCW 74.15.127. If so: 
    1. Issue the provisional expedited license within 40 calendar days of the date the application was received.
    2. Complete the home study and approve the full license within 90 calendar days of the date the application was received. 
  5. For no referrals:
    1. Place foster homes and licensed kinship caregivers’ homes on no referrals when either:
      1. It is agreed to or requested by the licensee.
      2. There is a WAC violation, and the investigation determines a no referral is needed. 
    2. Send the applicable form to the licensees:
      1. Notice of No Referral Letter DCYF 10-801 when an involuntary no referral is placed on foster homes or licensed kinship caregivers’ homes.
      2. Notice of Continued No Referral (Child Specific) DCYF 10-801A when no referrals are placed on child specific licensed kinship caregivers’ homes.
      3. Notice of Lifted/Rescinded No Referral Status Letter DCYF 10-800 when determined no referrals are no longer needed.
  6. LD supervisors must approve or deny the following licenses in FamLink:
    1. Initial kinship license
    2. Kinship license
    3. Foster license
  7. LD administrators or designees must approve or deny license request forms.

Forms

Notice of Continued No Referral (Child Specific) DCYF 10-801A (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)
Notice of Lifted/Rescinded No Referral Status Letter DCYF 10-800 (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)
Notice of No Referral Letter 10-801 (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)

Resources

Completing Home Studies policy
DCYF Administrative 6.02 Access to Services for Clients and Caregivers who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) policy
DCYF Administrative 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities policy
DCYF Administrative 6.04 Supporting LGBTQIA+ Individuals policy
Use of Administrative Approvals, Waivers, and Relative Non-Safety Exemptions policy

Original Date:  October 15, 2024

Review Date:  January 31, 2029

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division