Foster Parent Resources
FORMS: The state of Washington requires all submissions to the Department of Children, Youth and Families, be on their forms. Whether you need an health exam evaluation form, a court report template, mileage reimbursement form, a damage claim form, or something else, there is a form for that! Below is the link to all DCYF forms. We have placed some of the most commonly searched forms here.
LICENSING REQUIREMENTS/WACS: Chapter 110-148 of the Washington State Legislature covers all requirements of holding a foster care license in the state of Washington. This is inclusive of the licensing process, qualifications, record management, health and safety, services for children, behavior management, as well as the regulations for rule violations and corrective actions. Specific questions about permitted household items (pools, trampolines, other bodies of water, etc) can all be found within these WACS.
Click here: https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=110-148
CAREGIVER GUIDELINES: RCW 74.13.710 authorizes caregivers to provide or withhold permission without prior approval of the CA worker or department to allow a child in their care to participate in normal childhood activities based on a reasonable and prudent standard. This standard is characterized by careful and thoughtful parental decisions intended to maintain a child’s health, safety, and best interest which encourage the child’s emotional growth and development.
A “normal childhood activity” includes age or developmentally appropriate “extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities, and may include overnight activities outside the direct supervision of the caregiver for period of over twenty-four hours and up to seventy-two hours. “Normal childhood activities within the described time frames, including being babysat do not require background checks or prior department approval. Licensed foster parents must still follow the minimum licensing requirements for child foster homes in WAC 388-148.
Click here: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pubs/22-533.pdf
FOSTER PARENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Foster parents are an important part of the DCYF team. We, as foster parents, have certain rights, and responsibilities, to assure that all members of the team are in the know, and that communication is flowing freely.
Click here: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/pubs/LIC_0001.pdf
Quick Reference Phone Numbers
*DCYF – Richland –509-585-3000
*DCYF – Walla Walla –509-524-4900
*WIC – Pasco –509-545-1859
*WIC – Richland –509-543-8550
*WIC – Walla Walla Office –509-525-6650
*Poison Control –1-800-222-1222
*Intake/End Harm Line – 1-866-363-4276 (1-866-END-HARM)
*Coordinated Care 24hr Nurse Line – 1-844-354-9876
*Mo’s Place 24hr Line – 509-416-6677
*SARC 24hr Crisis line – 509-374-5391
*After Hours Support–1-800-301-1868