3.15.100 Kinship Caregiver Training

Applies to:  This policy applies to Licensing Division (LD) workers.

Chapter Number & Title:  3.15 Kinship care 

Policy Number & Title: 3.15.100. Kinship Caregiver Training

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to LD workers on the training requirements for licensed kinship caregivers.

Authority

RCW 74.13.075  Sexually aggressive youth-defined-services-expenditure of treatment funds-Tribal jurisdiction-information sharing and confidentiality

RCW 74.13.289  Bloodborne pathogens-client information-training 

RCW 74.13.310  Foster parent training

Chapter 110-149 WAC  Licensing requirements for kinship homes

Policy

LD workers must:

1. Verify:
   1. Training requirements for kinship caregivers are completed:
      1. When requested by LD.
         1. To meet the needs of specific children or youth in their care.
      2. Kinship caregivers taking placement of Sexually Aggressive Youth or Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth (SAY/PAAY) defined in RCW 74.13.075, have completed SAY/PAAY online or in-person training prior to placement, per the following child welfare policies:
         1. Sexually Aggressive Youth
         2. Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth
2. Notify kinship caregivers that training is available to complete at any time, including but not limited to:
   1. Kinship Core Training
      1. First aid
      2. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
      3. Bloodborne pathogens
      4. Trauma informed care

Resources

Child Welfare Physically Assaultive/Aggressive Youth policy

Child Welfare Sexually Aggressive Youth policy

Kinship Caregiver Training (located on the DCYF policies and rules intranet page, licensing division procedures)

Original Date:  July 1, 2025

Review Date:  July 31, 2029 

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division