In 2023, DCYF’s Licensing Division launched an electronic portal for caregivers providing foster care, kinship care, and homes certified by child placing agencies (CPA) to submit applications and store required forms and information.
We rolled out WA CAP in stages to ensure that training quality, system functionality, and practice changes resulted in the best online experiences for applicants and all other users. DCYF Licensing Division Foster Care Assessment staff began using WA CAP first. Throughout 2023, we included additional users: DCYF staff, prospective and current foster care parents, CPA staff, and the foster homes they certify.
The 2024 WA CAP implementation for group care providers and CPA licenses is delayed due to:
- Group Care Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) process and revisions to WAC 110-145
- Federal rules that allow DCYF to develop new kinship licensing standards
It is important to note that CPA staff and the foster homes they certify will continue to use WA CAP and the delay will not affect them.
CPA and Group Care Agency licensing in WA CAP will be reassessed in January 2025.
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The portal looks to:
- Improve the state’s foster care licensing system usability.
- Streamline the Home Study Process by creating a singular Home Study that DCYF and Child Placing Agencies will use.
- Automate existing paper practices.
- Provide tools for efficient recruitment and retention of foster parents.
- Provide a single application source to prospective and existing caregivers.
- Provide the Department, Stakeholders, the media, and the Legislature with measurable, quantifiable, and meaningful outcomes.