Section 388-148-1320 - When will the department grant me a foster family license?(1) We issue you a license when you and everyone in your household meet the licensing requirements contained in this chapter, and all required documents are in the licensing file.(2) You and other caregivers over the age of eighteen must:(a) Complete first aid training and age-appropriate adult and/or infant CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). Training must be department approved and accredited with nationally recognized standards; and(b) Complete HIV/AIDS and bloodborne pathogens training including infection control standards consistent with educational materials published by the department of health, office on HIV/AIDS.(3) You, your household members and anyone else having unsupervised contact with your foster child(ren) must pass the following background check requirements per chapter 388-06A WAC (This includes people living on any part of your property): (a) Anyone sixteen years old or older must pass a background check;(b) Anyone younger than sixteen years old must pass a background check if the department determines one is warranted to ensure the safety of a child;(c) Anyone eighteen years old or older must pass an FBI fingerprint-based background check; and(d) Anyone eighteen years old or older must complete a child abuse and neglect registry check from each state they have lived in over the past five years indicating: (i) No license denials or revocations from an agency that regulates the care of children or vulnerable adults, unless the department determines that you do not pose a risk to a child's health, safety, well-being and long-term stability; and(ii) No finding or substantiation of abuse or neglect of a child or a vulnerable adult, unless the department determines that you do not pose a risk to a child's safety, well-being, and long-term stability.(4) You, and your household members over the age of eighteen must submit a negative tuberculosis test or an X-ray, unless you can demonstrate a medical reason prohibiting the TB test, or have had a negative TB test in the previous twelve months. If there is a positive TB test, then the individual must submit a physician's statement identifying that there is no active TB or risk of contagion to children in care.(5) You must have proof of current immunizations for any children living on your premises, not in out-of-home care. We may, in consultation with a licensed health care provider, grant exception to this requirement if you have a statement from a licensed health care provider (MD, DO, ND, PA and ARNP).(6) We recommend that you have pertussis and influenza immunizations. The department will not license you to serve foster children under the age of two, without proof of pertussis and influenza immunizations for all people living in your home. The department may license you to serve children under the age of two even though you or someone in your home is unable to obtain an influenza vaccination for medical reasons. In this case, a licensed health care provider's statement is required noting that the influenza vaccination would result in severe medical consequences to the person and that there is no other form of the influenza vaccine that would not cause severe medical consequences. All other persons in the home must still be vaccinated.(7) Before granting or renewing a license, your licensor will assess your ability to provide a safe home and to provide the quality of care needed by children placed in your home. Your licensor will also determine that you meet training requirements.(8) Foster children under the care and authority of the department living in your home do not need to obtain a criminal history check, FBI fingerprint check or TB test.Wash. Admin. Code § 388-148-1320
Adopted by WSR 15-01-069, Filed 12/11/2014, effective 1/11/2015Amended by WSR 16-01-121, Filed 12/18/2015, effective 1/18/2016Amended by WSR 18-05-037, Filed 2/13/2018, effective 3/16/2018