Applies To: This policy applies to child welfare caseworkers.
Policy Number & Title: 4311. Pregnant and Parenting Youth
Effective Date: July 28, 2019
Purpose
This purpose of this policy is to provide guidance to child welfare employees working with dependent youth who are pregnant or parenting so that their unique needs are met and their efforts to transition to adulthood are successful.
Authority
PL 110-351 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act 2008
RCW 9.02.100 Reproductive privacy - Public policy
RCW 26.44.030 Reports
RCW 74.13.280 Client Information
Policy
- The unique needs of dependent youth who are pregnant or parenting must be identified and referred to services when necessary.
- All dependent pregnant and parenting youth must be provided with information about their rights and the duties and responsibilities of Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) during shared planning meetings.
- A dependency action on a dependent youth's child is only sought if a safety threat exists that cannot be controlled.
- When a dependent youth and their child live in the same placement and there is no need to file a dependency on that child, DCYF considers the child's home to be that of the dependent youth.
Resources
Pregnant and Parenting Youth procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)
Original Date: May 31, 2002
Revised Date: July 28, 2019
Review Date: July 31, 2023
Approved by: Ross Hunter, Secretary