3.20.10 Completing Foster Parent Home Studies

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

Chapter Number & Title:  20. Foster care

Policy Number & Title: DCYF Policy 3.20.10. Completing Foster Parent Home Studies  

Effective Date: July 1, 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on how LD employees will:

  • Assess the foster parent applicants’ abilities to provide a safe and healthy environment for every child and youth placed in out-of-home care.
  • Complete the home study.

Authority

RCW 26.33.180  Preplacement report required before placement with adoptive parent, exception
RCW 26.33.190  Placement report, requirements, fees
RCW 43.20A.205  Denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of license
RCW 74.14A.020  Services for emotionally disturbed and mentally ill children, potentially    dependent children, and families in conflict
Chapter 74.13 RCW  Child Welfare Services
Chapter 74.15 RCW  Care of children, expectant mothers, persons with developmental disabilities

Policy

  1. LD workers must:
    1. Assess the competence and suitability of the applicants as well as the physical conditions of the placement setting when a new foster parent home study application is received.
    2. Not complete home studies for children or youth participating in the extended foster care program or on a Voluntary Placement Agreement DCYF 09-004B form.
    3. Inform:
      1. Denied foster home applicants they have a due process right to an administrative hearing to challenge the denial of a license.
      2. Applicants requesting to receive an adoption only home study for children or youth not in the care and authority of DCYF may choose to receive services through a Child Placing Agency that specializes in adoption services, instead of through DCYF.
    4. For home study updates:
      1. Request approval from their area administrator or supervisor to complete the home study update when either the:
        1. Reason for the home study update meets the requirements in the Updating Foster Licenses for Amendments, Modifications, and Changes in Circumstances policy.
        2. The court requires a home study update.
      2. Complete them when approved by LD administrators or supervisors.
  2. LD area administrators or supervisors must approve or deny home study update requests.
  3. LD workers must:
    1. Complete adoption home study updates, when:
      1. There are changes within the family, e.g., divorce, someone new moving into the home, a medical condition, or significant change affecting the caregiver’s ability to care for the children or youth.
      2. The needs or characteristics of a child or youth considered for adoption are significantly different than when the family was assessed in a previously approved home study.
      3. Families have previously adopted a child or youth and are adopting another child or youth that is outside the recommendations of the previous home study.
      4. The local court requires an update.
      5. The original home study did not include a recommendation for adoption.
    2. Verify new home studies and home study updates, including adoption:
      1. Are approved or denied in writing.
      2. Applications are withdrawn in writing.
      3. Have been partially completed when additional information is needed prior to making a recommendation for approval or denial. 

Forms

Voluntary Placement Agreement DCYF 09-004B (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)

Resources

Updating Licenses, Amendments, Modifications, and Changes in Circumstances policy

Original Date:  August 8, 1998             

Revised Date:  July 1, 2025

Review Date:  July 31, 2029

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division