Last spring, a cross-functional workgroup began creating a brand-new WAC Chapter to support a Kinship specific License. This WAC Chapter will formalize kinship care, extend financial support to caregivers, and support DCYF in removing unnecessary barriers to keeping kids with kin.
The group, led by Kyler McGee and Renatta Watson, worked diligently to create a new Chapter that aligned with the federal recommendations and streamlined the licensing process while maintaining child safety. Over the summer, kinship caregivers and community partners provided feedback through online surveys and small group interviews. In the fall, Tribal partners collaborated at Tribal Roundtables, developing important new WACs that will better support Tribal children.
After months of work by teams across DCYF, the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Chapter for the new Kinship License will be ready for public feedback on Dec. 16, 2024. The CR 102 review period will last until Jan. 17, 2025.
Once public comment begins on Dec. 16, the Kinship WAC will be available for review on the Kinship Licensing webpage.
Contact the project team by emailing dcyf.kinshipfeedback@dcyf.wa.gov
