Utilizing this Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) approach, the Licensing Division has begun the process of amending the group care WAC 110-145 as part of the D.S. Settlement. DCYF will pause accepting new group care license applications starting Feb 1, 2026, in preparation for the New Group Care WACs that will go live on May 1, 2026.
What is Negotiated Rule Making?
NRM is a way to develop rules by seeking consensus from delegates representing groupings of similar parties impacted by the rule. Utilizing the NRM approach to rule making has several benefits, such as:
- Providing greater public access to rulemaking
- Creating more culturally and developmentally appropriate rules
- A better understanding of rule intent and increased compliance with rules
Group Care WAC Review: Next Steps
Thank you to everyone who shared feedback during our second Public Comment period, which closed on Dec. 23, 2025. Your input continues to play a critical role in shaping the group care licensing rules.
After carefully reviewing more than 120 public comments received during the Summer 2025 public comment period, we identified 16 Group Care WACs that require substantive updates.
- Proposed revisions to these 16 WACs are available in the CR-102 Supplemental Hearing Notice. Please note: These rules are still in draft form and may change before they are finalized.
- You can also view a summary of the proposed changes for a high-level overview.
The remaining Group Care WACs have advanced directly to the CR-103P Rulemaking Order. All revised group care licensing rules are currently scheduled to take effect on May 1, 2026. To learn more about how rules move from draft to adoption, visit our Rule Making Process page. For key milestones and upcoming steps, please refer to the Project Timeline section below.
Project Timeline
Timeline & Next Steps (target dates):
- CR-102 (16 WAC with substantive changes):
- File CR-103P: Mar. 31, 2026
- CR-103P (all other WAC):
- File CR-103P: Nov. 19, 2025
All chapter 110-145 WACs go live and take effect May 1, 2026
Group Care WAC Training Launched May 2025
Training on the new group care licensing rules launches May 2025 for licensing division staff, state licensed group care providers and impacted parties. The training series will be about 31.75 hours (internal) and 25.75 hours (external). See the Group Care Training and Resources Hub for more details.
Licensing Wide Engagement Approach
DCYF's Licensing Division is using a consistent, inclusive approach to work with providers and caregivers. The goal of this approach is to create positive relationships between licensors and licensees that will benefit the communities we serve. Learn more about this approach and the benefits of these concepts: Strength-Based Approach and Collaborative Compliance.
Ways to Engage
To fit different schedules, availability, and levels of interest, participants can get involved in the Group Care NRM Project by:
- Attend new training sessions beginning in Spring 2025.
- Join monthly Group Care Drop-in Sessions.
- Reading the monthly Group Care NRM emails.
Reports
Group Care NRM Final Report Available Now
DCYF's Licensing Division contracted with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to facilitate negotiated rulemaking for the Group Care NRM Project. PCG developed a final report highlighting information including the following:
- Key project insights
- Project barriers
- Future recommendations
- Updates on amended WAC negotiated during the Group Care NRM negotiation sessions
New Group Care Strategies Report, Immediate Recommendations to Enhance Practice
The new Early Implementation Work Group Report highlights current practices related to the seven areas under the Revising Licensing Standards D.S. Settlement System Improvement. A diverse group of participants including licensed caregivers and representatives from group care facilities, child placing agencies, and the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR) collaborated to identify barriers, review Prudent Parenting guidelines and create recommendations on practice improvements that can be implemented under current Washington Administrative Code (WAC) rules.
Please review the recommendations if you have not already, and where possible, work with your licensor to implement identified strategies before the new group care rules roll out.
National Review of Group Care Best Practices
As part of the DCYF contract, PCG conducted a review of national group care best practices by analyzing federal and state regulations and child welfare practices. Their findings outline best practice guidelines and data related to the D.S. Settlement Systems Improvement 4.9 Revising Licensing Standards. Read the full report
Questions?
- For questions related to practice or program email dcyf.groupcarequestions@dcyf.wa.gov
- For questions about the NRM process, rule intent, or training email dcyf.groupcarenrm@dcyf.wa.gov
