3.20.70 Licensing Child Placing Agencies (CPA) and CPA Foster Homes and Kinship Care Homes

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

Chapter Number & Title:  3.20 Foster Care

Policy Number & Title:  3.20.70 Licensing Child Placing Agencies (CPA) and CPA Foster Homes and Kinship Care Homes

Effective Date:  January 22, 2025


Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance on:

  • Assessing Child Placing Agencies (CPAs).
  • Issuing CPA, CPA foster home, and CPA kinship care licenses. 
  • Monitoring:
    • CPAs compliance with minimum licensing requirements.
    • The care provided by CPAs and their foster parents to children and youth placed in their certified foster homes.

Authority

RCW 43.20A.205  Denial, suspension, revocation, or modification of license.
Chapter 74.15 RCW  Care of children, expectant mothers, persons with developmental disabilities.
Chapter 110-04 WAC  Background Check Requirements-Child Welfare
Chapter 110-147 WAC  Licensing requirements for child placing agency and adoption services.
Chapter 110-148 WAC  Licensing requirements for child foster homes.

Policy 

  1. Regional licensors must complete the following: 
    1. When individuals apply to receive a:
      1. CPA license, CPA foster home license, or CPA kinship license:
        1. Verify new license and renewals are:
          1. Issued for a maximum of three years minus one day. 
          2. Approved, withdrawn, or denied in writing.  
        2. Apply the Racial Equity and Social Justice (RESJ) Framework and these DCYF Administrative policies: 
          1. 6.01 Racial Equity and Social Justice.
          2. 6.02 Access to Services for Clients and Caregivers who are Limited English Proficient (LEP).
          3. 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities. 
          4. 6.04 Supporting LGBTQIA+ Individuals.
      2. CPA licenses, confirm:
        1. All application materials have been received and are complete. 
        2. All employees, interns, subcontractors, and volunteers that have access to the children and youth pass a background check per:
          1. Chapter 110-04 WAC.
          2. WAC 110-147-1325.
        3. All of the Chapter 110-147 WAC requirements are:
          1. Met before CPA licenses are issued.
          2. Maintained throughout the duration of CPA licenses.
        4. CPAs have an adequate number of employees to provide services to their families, foster parents, children, and youth they serve. 
      3. CPA foster home licenses or CPA kinship licenses:
        1. Follow the Completing Home Studies policy to confirm the CPA licensors met the requirements for the home study. 
        2. Discuss the importance of supporting and affirming children’s and youth’s social and cultural needs with the CPA licensors to discuss with their families. 
        3. Confirm that applicants and household members pass a background check per:
          1. Chapter 110-04 WAC.
          2. WAC 110-148-1320.
        4. Allow CPA licensor to certify homes in more than one geographic region if they provide supervision and support to the home.
    2. When waivers are needed to waive WAC requirements:
      1. Complete the applicable form: 
        1. Licensing Waiver (Foster Home) DCYF 15-411A when waiving WAC requirements for foster homes.
        2. Administrative Approval & Waiver for Child Placing Agency (CPA) DCYF 10-047 when CPAs are unable to meet licensing requirements when the WAC permits discretion by LD.
        3. Administrative Approval (Foster Home) DCYF 15-411D when foster homes are unable to meet licensing requirements when the WAC permits discretion by LD.
        4. Kinship License Non-Safety Exemption/Waiver (Licensed Home) DCYF 15-411G when exempting WAC requirements for licensed kinship caregivers.
      2. Submit the forms to LD Administrators or designee for approval. 
    3. Health and safety visits every six months on all CPAs with a BRS contract.
    4. Verify CPAs maintain an adequate number of employees to provide services to their foster parents and children and youth placed in their certified foster homes throughout the duration of their license. 
    5. When moves are requested by CPAs, for:
      1. Agencies:
        1. Assess the new CPA location.
        2. Amend their current license when informed they have moved, and the new location meets the licensing requirements.
      2. Foster homes or licensed kinship homes, follow the Updating Licenses, Amendments, Modifications, and Changes in Circumstances policy.
    6. For no referrals:
      1. Place CPAs or a CPA certified foster homes on a voluntary no referral when either:
        1. It is agreed to or requested by CPA supervisors or licensors.
        2. There is an LD/CPS investigation or WAC violation, and the investigation determines a no referral is needed. 
      2. Send the applicable form to the CPAs:
        1. Notice of No Referral Letter DCYF 10-801 when an involuntary no referral is placed on a CPA or their certified foster home.
        2. Notice of Lifted/Rescinded No Referral Status Letter DCYF 10-800 when determined a no referral is no longer needed.
  2. LD supervisors must approve or deny the following licenses in FamLink:
    1. CPAs. 
    2. CPA foster homes. 
    3. CPA licensed kinship caregivers.
  3. LD administrators or designees must:
    1. Approve or deny WAC waiver request forms.
    2. Deny licenses following the Adverse Actions on Foster Home Licenses, Kinship Licenses, and Group Care Licenses policy.

Forms

Administrative Approval & Waiver for Child Placing Agency (CPA) 10-047
Administrative Approval (Foster Home) 15-411D 
Kinship License Non-Safety Exemption/Waiver (Licensed Home) 15-411G
Licensing Waiver (Foster Home) 15-411A
Notice of Lifted/Rescinded No Referral Status Letter DCYF 10-800 (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)  
Notice of No Referral Letter 10-801 (located in the Forms repository on the DCYF intranet)  

Resources

Adverse Actions on Foster Home Licenses, Kinship Licenses, and Group Care Licenses policy
Child Welfare Background Checks policy
Completing Home Studies policy
DCYF Administrative 6.01 Racial and Social Justice policy 
DCYF Administrative 6.02 Access to Services for Clients and Caregivers who are Limited English Proficient (LEP) policy
DCYF Administrative 6.03 Access to Services for Individuals with Disabilities policy
DCYF Administrative 6.04 Supporting LGBTQIA+ Individuals policy 
RESJ Framework (located on the DCFY intranet, under Racial Equity and Social Justice, Tools and Resources, and Racial Equity and Social Justice Framework).
Updating Licenses, Amendments, Modifications, and Changes in Circumstances policy


Original Date:  August 31, 2015

Review Date:  January 31, 2029

Approved by:  Ruben Reeves, Assistant Secretary of Licensing Division