Certificate of Parental Improvement (CPI)

DCYF will review the documentation the court or DCYF relied upon to make the finding of child abuse or neglect. The agency will complete an assessment of the individual’s character, suitability and competence as it now relates to the finding of child abuse or neglect and issue a Certificate of Parental Improvement if, on a more probable basis than not, the individual successfully rectified the circumstances that led to the finding of abuse or neglect.

RCW 74.13.720(4) outlines eligibility criteria. You are not eligible for a CPI if any of the following apply:

• It has been fewer than five years since you had a founded finding of child abuse or neglect.
• DCYF denied issuing you a CPI in the last two years.
• You were the subject of a founded finding of child abuse or neglect after receiving a CPI.
• You have a founded finding for sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or physical abuse that involved:
  • Cutting
  • Burning
  • Interfering with a child’s breathing
  • Shaking a child under age 3
  • Threatening a child with a deadly weapon
• You have a conviction or pending criminal investigation, or any out-of-state, federal or state conviction for a felony offense that is comparable to:
  • Any felony offense involving the physical neglect of a child under Chapter 9A.42 RCW
  • Any felony offense under Chapter 9A.32 RCW or Chapter 9A.36 RCW involving a physical injury or death of a child
  • Any felony domestic violence offense committed against a family or household member as defined in Chapter 10.99 RCW
  • A felony offense against a child under Chapter 9.68A RCW
  • Any of the following felony offenses:
    • Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or an attempt to commit a class A felony
    • Criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony
    • Manslaughter in the first or second degree
    • Indecent liberties
    • Kidnapping in the second degree
    • Arson in the second degree
    • Extortion in the first degree
    • Robbery in the second degree
    • Drive-by shooting
    • Vehicular homicide

Please contact DCYF at dcyf.cpi@dcyf.wa.gov or 1-800-998-3898, option 8, if you are unsure about your eligibility or have questions.

DCYF must think about the following things when deciding if the individual has the character, suitability, and competence to care for children, youth or vulnerable persons:

1. Underlying documentation DCYF or the court relied on to make a finding.
2. Findings from any civil adjudication proceeding as defined in RCW 43.43.830.
3. Referral history alleging child abuse or neglect against the individual.
4. Length of time since the founded finding of child abuse or neglect.
5. Whether a court made a finding that the individual's child was dependent.
6. Length of time since the dependency proceeding was dismissed. the outcome of the case, including whether the child was returned to the individual’s home.
7. Documentation submitted by the individual indicating whether the individual successfully addressed the circumstances that led to the finding.
8. Any pending criminal or civil actions against the individual.
9. Eligibility information in the background check.
10. Personal and professional references submitted by the individual.
11. Any education, volunteer work, employment history, or community involvement.
12. Any additional information the applicant would like to provide. 

A CPI does not change or remove the founded finding of child abuse or neglect. The founded finding will still show up in background checks. An individual who receives a CPI will still be required to meet the requirements of the approving or hiring program. This may include passing a background check. 

DCYF must accept a CPI when assessing your character, suitability and competence to have unsupervised access to children or youth under RCW 74.13.700 and cannot disqualify you solely based on the above finding. 

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) may not automatically disqualify an individual who has a CPI to work in assisted living facilities under RCW 18.20.126 or nursing facilities under RCW 18.51.570 without conducting a character, competence and suitability review. 

DCYF Public Disclosure Office at 360-407-5520 or dcyf.publicdisclosure@dcyf.wa.gov

Yes, you have a right to know the reasons DCYF denied your CPI application. You may request that DCYF reconsider its decision in writing. If the original decision remains the same, you will receive additional instructions in writing on how to appeal. 

DCYF must grant or deny a CPI within 60 days after receiving the request.  

To avoid delays with the CPI process:

• Complete the Request for Certificate of Parental Improvement form online or submit the form if not done online.
• Complete the Background Check Authorization form online or submit the form if not done online.
• Gather documentation or references that support positive changes made:
  • Assessments, evaluations, classes or treatment in process or completed.
  • Personal and/or professional references  
  • Any education, volunteer work, employment history, or community involvement
  • Other information that shows positive changes made since the finding of child abuse or neglect
• Participate in an interview with the assigned DCYF Suitability Assessment Specialist who will reach out to you by phone or email.