1170. Domestic Violence

Applies To:  This policy applies to Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) employees.

Policy Number & Title:  1170. Domestic Violence

Effective Date:  July 1, 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Recognize and understand the dynamics of domestic violence (DV) in families through the universal screening process.
  • Determine the impact of DV on child safety through the specialized DV assessment.

Authority

RCW 10.99.020  Definitions

RCW 10.99.030  Law enforcement officers-Training, powers, duties-Domestic violence reports

RCW 26.44.020  Definitions

RCW 42.56.240  Investigative, law enforcement, and crime victims

RCW 70.123.078  Disclosure of information

Policy

  1. Intake workers must follow the Intake Process and Response policy and offer DV resources to the referrer on all intakes, screened in or out, when both: 
    1. DV is identified.
    2. The referrer is not familiar with DV resources.
  2. Caseworkers must:
    1. Complete the universal DV screening at key points in a case to determine if DV is present, including prior to placing in a relative or suitable person’s home. DV screenings include interviews and review of records and available databases.
    2. Conduct a Specialized DV Assessment if DV is determined to be present in a case through universal screening.
    3. Use information gathered during the DV screening, the Specialized DV Assessment, and the gathering questions to complete the safety assessment and follow the safety assessment policy. Offer DV resource information to adult victims in open cases when DV is identified.
  3. Licensing Division (LD) Child Protective Services (CPS) investigators and LD workers must follow the Placement Moves policy, if DV poses a threat to children or youth in licensed placements.  

Resources

Domestic Violence procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Intake Process and Response policy

Placement Moves policy

Original Date:  March 31, 2017

Revised Date:  July 1, 2024 

Review Date:  July 31, 2028

Approved by:  Natalie Green, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Division and Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division