3.15.20 Initial, Kinship, and Provisional Expedited Licenses

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

Chapter Number & Title:  3.15 Kinship Care

Policy Number & Title:  3.15.20 Initial, Kinship, and Provisional Expedited Licenses

Effective Date:  July 1, 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to LD workers when:

• Issuing initial, kinship, and provisional expedited licenses.
• Assisting applicants and kinship caregivers in meeting the licensing requirements to support the specific needs of children and youth in care. 

Authority

RCW 43.20A.205  Denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of license
RCW 49.60.030  Freedom from discrimination-Declaration of civil rights
RCW 74.13.260  On-site monitoring program
Chapter 74.15 RCW  Care of children, expectant mothers, persons with developmental disabilities
Chapter 110-149 WAC  Licensing requirements for kinship homes

Policy

1. LD workers must complete the following:
   1. When initial licenses are requested:
      1. Verify kinship caregivers meet the requirements in RCW 74.15.120.
      2. Issue initial licenses:
         1. For a maximum of 90 calendar days from the date the initial license was approved.
         2. To include the age range of the youngest child’s or youth’s age to the oldest child’s or youth’s age plus three months, not to exceed 18 years old.
         3. To kinship caregivers for children and youth who are either in:
            1. DCYF placement and care authority.
            2. Tribal custody or the tribe’s child placing agency when tribes request an initial license.
      3. Notify the children’s or youth’s caseworker if initial licenses cannot be issued.
   2. When assessing for kinship licenses:
      1. Verify:
         1. The kinship home study is completed as outlined in the Completing Kinship Home Studies policy.
         2. Kinship caregivers meet the requirements in RCW 74.15.125.
         3. New kinship licenses and renewals are:
            1. Issued:
               1. When the requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC are met.
                  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 to the oldest child’s or youth’s age plus three years, not to exceed 18 years old.
            2. Placed on a “Voluntary No Referral” once the license is issued.
            3. Approved, withdrawn, or denied in writing.
      2. Follow the policies listed below:
         1. DCYF Administrative policies when completing kinship licenses:
            1. 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities to provide:
               1. Public Notice of Nondiscrimination DCYF ADM_0026 publication to kinship caregivers.
               2. Services to individuals with disabilities, if applicable.
            2. 11.25. Child Care Licensing or Approval, Program Payments and Enrollment, Foster Care Licensing, Placement, and Adoption for DCYF Employees, including assignment and file restriction.
         2. LD policies:
            1. Completing Kinship Home Studies policy to complete the kinship home study.
            2. Use of Kinship Administrative Approvals and Waivers policy to license a kinship home.
      3. Make reasonable efforts to provide support and services to kinship caregivers to meet and maintain the requirements in chapter 110-149 WAC.
   3. When assessing for provisional expedited licenses:
      1. Verify the requirements in RCW 74.15.127 are met:
      2. Issue provisional expedited licenses within 40 calendar days of the date the application was received.
      3. Assess for kinship licenses as outlined in section 2. within 90 calendar days of the date the provisional expedited licenses are approved.
2. LD workers may issue:
   1. Initial licenses to kinship caregivers when either:
      1. The parents or guardians are approved to reside in the home or on the property.
      2. A household member cannot pass a conditional approval when:
         1. There is a court order to remain in the home or on the property with the children or youth.
         2. A supervision plan is in place.
   2. Kinship licenses to kinship caregivers when the children’s or youth’s parents or guardians are approved to reside in the home or on the property to support the case plan.
3. LD supervisors must approve, deny, or withdraw the licenses. 

Resources

Completing Kinship Home Studies policy

DCYF Administrative 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities policy

Public Notice of Nondiscrimination DCYF ADM_0026 publication

Use of Kinship Administrative Approvals and Waivers policy

Original Date:  July 1, 2025

Review Date:  July 31, 2029

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division