Updates to Health History Time Period
As part of the caregiver support level assessment, a Placement Resource Specialist reviews a youth’s documented health history. They also look at health information from the Health Care Authority (HCA). Currently, the assessment looks at health history from the past 24 months. For chronic physical health conditions, the review period is 36 months. Since the launch of the caregiver support level system, feedback has been that the current 24-month health history timeframe:
- Reports on outdated health information
- Lacks ability for assessment of present-day needs and functioning
This feedback prompted a look at the data to see what the impact would be if we reduced the health history window.
Reducing the Time Period
Now that the caregiver support level determination process has been in place for over a year, feedback and data collected supports the reduction of the health history time period to include health history from the previous 12 months for all health criteria. The change will take place as of Jan. 1, 2027.
- Read the full guide for more details on the change.
- For Tribes see this guide for information specific to the level assessment process for Tribal children under Tribal jurisdiction.
What Does This Change Mean?
- Only health information from the past 12 months will be used to determine the level of caregiver support needed. Any health-related information that is outside of the 12-month timeframe will not be included to assess the level.
- Health information provided through the Health Care Authority will only include information from the last 12 months.
- Some youth, currently assessed at a higher level, will experience a reduced level that may impact the type and amount of caregiver support services that the youth and their caregivers receive following a six-month reassessment
Caregiver Supports Resource Level Assessment (Rate Assessment)
| Support level | Age 0–5 | Age 6–11 | Age 12+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 – Basic maintenance foster care | $722 | $846 | $860 |
| Level 2 – Adolescent low needs | N/A | N/A | $1,202.50 |
| Level 3 – Chronic physical health | $1,407 | $1,531 | $1,545 |
| Level 4 – Developmental disability | $1,749.50 | $1,873.50 | $1,887.50 |
| Level 5 – Developmental disability and chronic physical health | $2,092 | $2,216 | $2,230 |
| Level 6 – Moderate mental health | $2,434.50 | $2,558.50 | $2,572.50 |
| Level 7 – Complex mental health | $2,777 | $2,901 | $2,915 |
Rate Assessment Timeline
In January 2024, DCYF replaced their previous assessment system with a new, seven-level caregiver supports model.
When children and youth enter out-of-home care, DCYF staff gather information from several places. This includes the youth, parents, Health Care Authority, and other significant people in the child’s or youth’s life etc. All this information helps them in assigning a Caregiver Supports Level.
Each Caregiver Supports Level has its own foster care payment rates for licensed caregivers. Each level also has placement support services available to both licensed and unlicensed caregivers.
DCYF staff will make an introductory assessment within the first seven days of placement. Next, we will finalize the level using information about the youth that we get from the Health Care Authority.
- If a caregiver believes information about the child's needs was missed or not considered in a level assessment, they can appeal to make sure that information is reviewed and considered.
- Caregivers can request a re-assessment of the caregiver resource level whenever there is a change in health-related circumstances or a new diagnosis.
Payments
For more payment information, visit All Families & Caregivers Supports & Resources.
