45362. Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth

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

Policy Number & Title:  45362. Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth

Effective Date:  October 19, 2017

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to guide DCYF caseworkers in properly identifying Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth (PAAY) and providing the needed supervision and services to meet their needs.

Authority

RCW 74.13.280  Client Information

Policy

  1. When identifying and determining a child or youth as PAAY as defined by RCW 74.13.280, a child or youth must exhibit one or more of the following behaviors that are developmentally inappropriate and harmful to the child or youth or others:
    1. Observed assaultive behavior;
    2. Reported and documented history of the child or youth willfully assaulting or inflicting bodily harm; or
    3. Attempting to assault or inflict bodily harm on other children or youth or adults when the child or youth has the apparent ability to carry out the attempted assaults, including threats to use a weapon.
  2. Regions must establish a PAAY committee to determine PAAY identification and provide quality assurance oversight.
  3. All Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth Determination Referrals DCYF 15-400 and Youth Supervision Plans DCYF 15-352 must be initially reviewed and approved by Regional PAAY Committee.
  4. All youth identified as PAAY must have a signed Youth Supervision Plan DCYF 15-352 prior to placement, but no later than 72 hours and the plan must be documented in FamLink within seven calendar days.
  5. All youth identified as PAAY must be provided needed services.
  6. If a youth has complex behavioral health needs, the caseworker must refer them for a Wraparound Intensive Services (WISe) screen per the Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) policy.
  7. Youth identified as PAAY must only be placed with licensed caregivers who have completed the Caregiving for Children with Physically Aggressive Behavior Concerns training.
  8. Youth identified as PAAY and placed with unlicensed caregivers, the caregiver must complete the Caregiving for Children with Physically Aggressive Behavior Concerns training as soon as possible, but no later than 30 calendar days.
  9. Youth already placed and then identified as PAAY, the caregivers must complete the Caregiving for Children with Physically Aggressive Behavior Concerns training as soon as possible, but no later than 30 calendar days.

Forms

Youth Supervision Plan DCYF 15-352 (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)

Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth Determination Referrals DCYF 15-400 (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)

Resources

Caregiving for Children with Physically Aggressive Behavior Concerns (eLearning)

Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Wraparound with Intensive Services (WISe) policy

Original Date:  April 30, 2010 

Revised Date:  October 19, 2017

Review Date:  October 2, 2021

Approved by:  Connie Lambert-Eckel, Acting Assistant Secretary