Foster Care WAC Changes

Rule Making Update

The updated Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter 110-148 will be in effect on January 4, 2027. 

Project Timeline

  • Fall 2023: Foster Care NRM Preparation
  • Winter, Spring, and Summer 2024: Foster Care NRM Development and Hybrid Negotiation
  • Fall 2024 and Winter 2025: Foster Care NRM Virtual Negotiations
  • Summer 2025: WAC Internal Comments, AAG Review, and Leadership Review
  • Fall 2025: Workgroups form
  • Winter 2026: Preparing WAC for Public Comment
  • Spring 2026: File CR-102: Public Comment, engagement sessions with Tribal partners, and wrap-up workgroups
  • Summer 2026: File CR-102 on six WAC and CR-103 on 62 WAC
  •  Fall 2026: Finalize the six remaining WAC and train licensing staff
  • Winter 2027: Updated foster care licensing requirements take effect 

Licensing Approach

DCYF's Licensing Division (LD) is using a Strength-Based Approach and Collaborative Compliance. The goal is to build positive relationships and better support the communities we serve.

Tribal Engagement Sessions

Sessions will take place throughout 2026. The Office of Tribal Relations will send invitations. DCYF internal workgroups updated the home study, forms, and procedures. These updates included Tribal Child Placing Agencies.

Negotiated Rulemaking

LD is updating the foster care licensing rules (WAC 110-148) as part of the D.S. Settlement. We use Negotiated Rulemaking (NRM), which is a process where people affected by the rules help create them. This approach has several benefits:

  • Better public access to the rulemaking process.
  • Rules that are more culturally and developmentally appropriate.
  • Clearer understanding of what the rules are meant to do.
  • Higher compliance with rules.

The updated foster care licensing rules will start later this year. 

For the project updates, read the semi-annual report.