3.20.30 Updating Licenses for Amendments, Modifications, and Changes in Circumstances

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

Chapter Number & Title:  20. Foster Care 

Policy Number & Title:  3.20.30. Updating Licenses for Amendments, Modifications, and Changes in Circumstances

Effective Date:  October 15, 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to LD workers completing amendments for moves, modifications, or changes in circumstances for foster home and kinship licenses.

Authority

RCW 43.20A.205  Denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of license
RCW 74.13.260  Site monitoring program
RCW 74.15.020  Definitions
RCW 74.15.040  Licenses for foster family homes required, Inspections
RCW 74.15.100  License application, issuance, duration, Reclassification, Location Changes
RCW 74.15.110  Renewal of licenses.
RCW 74.15.127  Expedited foster licensing process
RCW 74.15.130  Licenses, Denials, suspension, revocation, modification-Procedures-Adjudicative proceeding-Penalties
RCW 74.15.140  Action against licensed or unlicensed agencies authorized
Chapter 110-148 WAC  Licensing Requirements for Child Foster Homes

Policy

LD workers must: 

  1. Assess the licensed foster or kinship caregiver’s new home and amend their current license when informed that they have moved.    
  2. Complete the following:
    1. License modifications when there is a capacity change for age, gender, or number of children or youth in the home for foster licenses when:
      1.  Informed there is a change in any of the following: 
        1. Household members
        2. Adoption
        3. Licensee request
      2.  Determined in a shared decision-making meeting.  
    2. When approving a change in circumstances in the licensing provider portal, for:
      1. Foster home licenses, determine whether a modification or new three-year license is required when there are changes within the household composition and any of the following occur:
        1. The addition or removal of a caregiver from the household. 
        2. The addition of a new household member or an existing household member who may pose a risk to children or youth. 
        3. Any changes in household members that affects the caregiver’s ability to care for children or youth. 
      2. Kinship licenses, issue them a new three-year license when any of the following changes in circumstances occur:
        1. The addition of removal of a caregiver from the household. 
        2. The addition of a child or youth to their child-specific license and that child or youth was not identified prior to the license being issued.  
        3. Any changes in household members that affects the caregiver’s ability to care the children or youth. 
        4. The family requests to change their license to a foster home license. 
    3. When a change in circumstances cannot be approved for foster home and kinship licenses, follow the Adverse Actions on Foster Home Licenses, Kinship Licenses, and Group Care Licenses policy.
  3. Not modify kinship licenses. Any changes to a license capacity requires a new assessment.
  4. Provide written notification to licensees including their appeal rights when changes are being made to their license, unless the changes occur at license renewal. 

Resources

Adverse Actions on Foster Home Licenses, Kinship Licenses, and Group Care Licenses policy

Original Date:  September 27, 1995

Revised Date:  October 15, 2024

Review Date:  October 31, 2028          

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division