6150. Client De-escalation Training

Applies To:  This policy applies to all Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) caseworkers, supervisors, area administrators and any staff who have verbal or physical contact with DCYF involved children, youth, and families.

Policy Number & Title: 6150. Client De-escalation Training

Effective Date:  July 1, 2018

Policy Memo Effective Date:  February 2, 2024

Policy Update Memo Effective February 2, 2024

Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to provide DCYF employees with the tools and training to engage with clients, recognize escalation, and make effort to de-escalate the encounter while remaining engaged. This policy makes mandatory Right Response Level 3 (RRL3) training provided through the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence (Alliance).

Authority 

RCW 74.13.031  Duties of department - Child welfare services - Children's services advisory committee.

Policy 

  1. All DCYF employees who have verbal or physical contact with children, youth, and families will complete RRL3 training in their first year of employment.
  2. All DCYF staff who complete the training become certified in RRL3. Certification expires after two years and all employees required to complete RRL3 must repeat the training.  
  3. All DCYF staff employed on or after the original date of the policy will complete RRL3 training. Priority of enrollment in the training is according to the following:
    1. Social service specialist 2 and 3
    2. Social service specialist 4
    3. Area administrator
    4. Deputy regional administrator (DRA)
    5. Regional administrator (RA) and Licensing Division (LD) administrator
    6. Headquarters staff who have contact with children, youth, and families

RAs, DRAs, and the LD administrator may be waived from RRL3 through an administrative waiver. The Administrative Approval Request DCYF 05-210 form must be completed and submitted to the Assistant Secretary for approval. See Administrative Approvals for Child Welfare policy.

Forms 

Administrative Approval Request DCYF 05-210 (Located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)

Resources

Client De-escalation Training procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Original Date:  July 1, 2018

Revised Date: 

Review Date:

Approved by:  Connie Lambert-Eckel, Acting Assistant Secretary