Applies To: This policy applies to child welfare division employees.
Policy Number & Title: 2559B. Investigative Findings
Effective Date: October 31, 2025
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance when employees are:
- Determining investigative findings of abuse or neglect of children and youth.
- Conducting reviews of investigative findings.
Authority
PL 93-247 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act
PL 111-320 Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act Amendment
RCW 26.44.020 Definitions
RCW 26.44.030 Reports-Duty and authority to make-Duty of receiving agency-Duty to notify Case planning and consultation-Penalty for unauthorized exchange of information-Filing dependency petitions-Investigations- Interviews of children-Records-Risk assessment process
RCW 26.44.100 Information about rights-Legislative purpose-Notification of investigation, report, and findings
RCW 26.44.125 Alleged perpetrators-Right to review and amendment of finding-Hearing
Chapter 110-30 WAC Child Protective Services
Policy
DCYF is required to:
- Determine investigative findings of abuse or neglect of children and youth as founded or unfounded based on WAC 110-30-0030.
- Notify subjects of their investigative finding that includes legally sufficient information.
- Complete investigative finding reviews within 30 calendar days of receiving an appropriate request from the subject and notifying the requestors of the outcome.
- Maintain investigative findings as originally determined pending internal review or administrative hearing.
Forms
CPS Founded Letter DCYF 09-913 (Located in the DCYF Forms repository)
CPS Reviewed Denied Notification DCYF 09-136 (Located in the DCYF Forms repository)
CPS Unfounded Letter DCYF 09-912 (Located in the DCYF Forms repository)
Resources
Investigative Findings procedures (Located on the Child Welfare Policy & Procedures intranet site)
Original Date: October 31, 2025
Review Date: October 31, 2029
Approved by: Natalie Green, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare