Note: All policies and procedures need to be finalized and approved by June 1, 2026.
This page includes materials from our Group Care Information Forums and Group Care WAC Trainings to help you prepare for the new licensing rules that went into effect on May 1, 2026.
Required Trainings for Group Care Providers
Pre-Service trainings must meet the WAC requirement for Trauma-Informed, LGBTQIA+, and Culturally Responsive Trainings. The training courses below meet those requirements but can be substituted without DCYF approval.
Trauma-Informed
- Trauma 101 (1 hour – eLearning) – Trauma 101 Handout
- Trauma Informed Approach, Modules 1A–1C (1 hour – eLearning)
Culturally Responsive
- Practicing Cultural Humility (1.5 hours, eLearning) – Child Welfare Information Gateway
LGBTQIA+: Complete both
- MODULE 1: Setting the Foundation for LGBTQ+ Inclusion (45 mins – eLearning) – Training certificate provided after you complete the course.
- Center for Children and Youth Justice (CCYJ) – Handbook (30 mins – eLearning) – Document completion with an employee and staff signature and date in the employee file.
Medication Management (Pre-Service training must meet the WAC requirement for medication management and cannot be substituted)
- Medication Management and Administration for Caregivers (30 mins – eLearning) – Training certificate issued by the Alliance
In-Service trainings must meet the WAC requirement for DCYF approved Trauma-Informed, LGBTQIA+, and Culturally Responsive Trainings. The training courses below meet those requirements. Substitutions will require DCYF approval.
Trauma-Informed – Select at least one:
- Trauma Insight by NAMI (2 hours – eLearning) – Training certificate provided after you complete the course.
- TIC: Building a Safe Place for Youth (1.5 hours – Web-based, Instructor Led) – Training certificate issued by Coordinated Care.
- TIC: Understand & Reduce Trauma Reactions in Children (1.5 hours – Web-based, Instructor Led) – Training certificate issued by Coordinated Care.
- TIC: Dealing with Feelings & Behaviors (1.5 hours – Web-based, Instructor Led) – Training certificate issued by Coordinated Care.
Culturally Responsive – Select at least one:
- Cultural Humility in Behavioral Health Care (2 hours – eLearning) – Training certificate provided after you complete the course.
- Cultural Care & Connections Coordinated Care (1.5 hours – Web-based, Instructor Led) – Training certificate issued by Coordinated Care.
- Practicing Cultural Humility by Child Welfare Information Gateway (1.5 hours – eLearning) – Document completion with an employee and staff signature and date in the employee file.
- Cultural Humility (1 hour – eLearning) – Training certificate issued by the Alliance
LGBTQIA+
- Best Practices for Serving LGBTQ+ Youth & Families Complete Series – HRC LEARN – Modules 2–5 (2 hours – eLearning) – Training certificate provided after you complete the course, OR
- Best Practices for Trans and Non-Binary Youth in Congregate Care Settings (1.5 hours – eLearning) – Training certificate provided after you complete the course, OR
- Coordinated Care – Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth in Foster Care (2 hours – Instructor Led Webinar) – Training certificate issued by Coordinated Care, AND
- Center for Children and Youth Justice (CCYJ) – Handbook (30 mins – eLearning) – Document completion with an employee and staff signature and date in the employee file
Explore Training Topics and Resources
These resources can support your learning and application of the new rules in practice:
- Using a Strength-Based Approach: Introduces the key principles and benefits of a strength-based approach.
- Achieving Collaborative Compliance: Explains how to use a strength-based approach for achieving collaborative compliance.
- For additional information about Group Care WAC Training, view our Frequently Asked Questions.
- View the Group Care WAC training schedule.
This training lays the foundation for the Group Care WAC Training series. Participants will get an understanding of the purpose behind the new group care licensing rules and how they support both compliance and positive outcomes for children and youth.
Length: 6 hours
This course explains why the group care chapter 110-145 WAC has been revised and the positive impacts it will have.
Length: 45 minutes
Resources:
- Module #2 - Purpose and Fundamentals Course Video Script
- Achieving Collaborative Compliance
- Using a Strength-Based Approach
- E-Learning Tip Sheet
- Helpful Hints
- Negotiated Rule Making Principles
- Terms and Definitions
- Extend Your Learning, Purpose and Fundamentals
- Sources Cited
- Complete Draft of New Group Care WACs
After finishing this course, you will:
- Understand the intent of the WAC covered in this module
- Know and understand the Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) and strength-based principles associated with the WAC covered in this module
- Understand the Licensing Division’s (LD) scope of authority to license and regulate 24-hour care of children and youth
- Understand when a facility may have more than one license type
- Know the difference between licensing and contract requirements and what to do if they are different
Length: 30 minutes
Resources:
After finishing this course, you will:
- Have a shared understanding of the intent of the WAC covered in this module
- Know and understand the Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) and strength-based principles associated with the WAC covered in this module
- Learn the scope of DCYF Licensing Division’s role in licensing group care facilities
- Become familiar with the amended WAC that regulates group care facility requirements
- Be aware of the requirements needed to complete the initial licensing and renewal of group care facilities
- Learn the process for determining applicant suitability and license capacity
- Understand the scope of department access to group care facilities
Length: 30 minutes
Resources:
This course will focus on changes to the current WAC and specific amended language to pay particular attention to.
Length: 30 minutes
Resources:
- Module #5 - Understanding Compliance, Monitoring, Regulation, and Provider Rights Video Script
- Achieving Collaborative Compliance
- Using a Strength-Based Approach
- E-Learning Tip Sheet
- Helpful Hints
- Negotiated Rule Making Principles
- Terms and Definitions
- Draft Group Care WACs - Understanding Compliance, Monitoring, Regulation, and Provider Rights
- Extend Your Learning
After finishing this course, you will:
- Understand the intent of the WAC covered in this module
- Know and understand the Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) and strength-based principles associated with the WAC covered in this module
- Become familiar with the amended WAC that regulates group care facility requirements
- Become familiar with the standards related to records and reporting
- Learn practices to comply with records and reporting standards
Length: 40 minutes
Resources:
After finishing this course, you will:
- Understand the intent of the WAC covered in this module
- Know and understand the Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) and strength-based principles associated with the WAC covered in this module
- Learn the scope of DCYF Licensing Division’s (LD) role in group care facilities
- Become familiar with the amended WAC that regulates group care facility requirements
- Understand the health practices that GCFs must adhere to
- Be aware of the medication management requirements for GCFs
Length: 30 minutes
Resources:
- Module #7 - Group Care NRM Health Practices and Medication Management Video Script
- Achieving Collaborative Compliance
- Using a Strength-Based Approach
- Helpful Hints
- Negotiated Rule Making Principles
- Caregiver Authorization Form
- Terms and Definitions
- Draft Group Care WACs - Health Practices and Medication Management
After finishing this course, you will:
- Understand the intent of the WAC covered in this module
- Understand the requirements for emergency practices and fire safety
- Know and understand the NRM, strength-based approach, and collaborative compliance principles associated with the WAC covered in this module
Length: 45 minutes
Resources
After finishing this course, you will:
- Understand the intent of the WAC covered in this module
- Know and understand the NRM and strength-based principles associated with the WAC covered in this module
- Understand DCYF’s responsibility and authority to set and enforce licensing requirements
- Become familiar with the Licensing Division’s (LD) standards for group care practices
- Know the different physical environment requirements based on the type of facility you are licensed for
Length: 45 minutes
Resources
After finishing this course, you will:
- Understand the intent of the WAC covered in this module
- Know the Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) and strength-based principles associated with the WAC covered in this module
- Understand DCYF’s responsibility and authority to set and enforce licensing requirements
- Be aware of the qualifications for licensees and personnel in GCFs which ensures tasks are completed accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with WAC
Length: 30 minutes
Resources
After finishing this course, you will:
- Understand the intent of the WAC covered in this module
- Know the Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) and strength-based principles associated with the WAC covered in this module
- Understand DCYF’s responsibility and authority to set and enforce licensing requirements
- Be aware of the requirements needed for training and professional development, specifically as to Preservice and In-service training that needs to be completed
Length: 30 minutes
Resources
- Module #11- Group Care NRM Professional Development and Training Requirements Video Script
- Achieving Collaborative Compliance
- Using a Strength-Based Approach
- Helpful Hints
- Negotiated Rule Making Principles
- E-Learning Tip Sheet
- Terms and Definitions
- Sources Cited
- Draft Group Care WACs - Professional Development and Training Requirements
Group Care Information Forums and Drop-In Sessions
These forums and drop-in sessions are designed to keep licensors, providers and all impacted parties informed and prepared for the upcoming group care licensing rules. Each session will cover key updates to help understand the new rules.
Group Care Information Forum — May 1, 2025
Get the latest updates on the Group Care Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) project updates, upcoming training, and answers to participant questions.
Length: 1 hour
Resources:
Group Care WAC Training Schedule
Group Care Drop-in Session — August 20, 2025
This session provided updates on the Group Care WAC Training, an overview of upcoming sessions and TB Attestation Form.
Group Care Drop-In Session — September 17, 2025
The session provided updates on the Group Care NRM Project timeline and an overview of a new tip sheet for policies and procedure.
Group Care Drop-in Session — October 15, 2025
The session provided updates on the Group Care NRM Project timeline and an overview of submitting updated policies and procedures.
Group Care Drop-In Session — January 21, 2026
The session provided updates on Group Care NRM training, including new pre-service and in-service requirements.
Group Care Drop-In Session — February 18, 2026
The session provided updates on Group Care NRM training, updates on internal and external forms, and training requirements for current staff.
Group Care Drop-In Session — March 18, 2026
The session provided updates on the Group Care NRM project and a discussion on WAC Technology WAC to create policy and procedure.
