Become a Multi-Licensed Care Provider

A multi-licensed provider is someone who holds more than one out-of-home care license, i.e., family home foster care license and one or more licensed or certified child care licenses.

Multi-licensing removes barriers, making it easier for families to operate both as a foster care parent and child care provider. Families with multiple DCYF licenses can provide seamless, continuous care and support to children and youth.

Why should I become a licensed or certified family home child care provider?

When you become a licensed or certified family home child care provider, you provide children and youth a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment, while at the same time receiving state supports to help you succeed.

Why should I become a foster parent?

When you become a foster parent, you’re providing children and youth a safe, loving, temporary home. You make it possible for them to stay in their school and communities while they maintain connections with their parents and siblings.

If you have a family member in foster care, learn how you can support them by visiting our kinship page.

Benefits of becoming multi-licensed

• You can open your home to children in foster care.
• You can offer quality child care services to your community.
• You may receive both the monthly foster care reimbursement and the monthly child welfare child care payment for children in placement attending their licensed child care program.

If you are caring for children on a regular basis, you may need a license. Families choose different kinds of early learning programs to meet their needs. Some caregivers do not need a license, including informal parent cooperatives, and Family, Friends and Neighbors who provide occasional care.

A person who is not licensed for either foster care or child care can apply to become licensed for both at the same time, although it is advised to become licensed for one before pursuing another.

You may choose to close one license at any time while retaining the other(s). Each license stands on its own and follows its own licensing pathway.

Steps to becoming multi-licensed

If you are a licensed or certified child care provider interested in pursuing a foster care license, or a licensed family foster care home interested in pursuing a child care license:

• Step One: Email the welcome box at dcyf.welcome@dcyf.wa.gov and ask about multi-licensing to find out if more than one out-of-home care license is a good fit for you.
• Step Two: You will receive early and ongoing technical assistance from pre-service training and application, through licensing and maintenance, for the licensing path that is right for you, whether it is pursuing a foster care or a child care license.