To: DLR Staff
From:
Darcey Hancock, DLR Administrator
Re:
Emergency WAC changes
As
you are aware, what has been called the “Prudent Parenting” bill (ESSB 6479)
passed and becomes effective on June 12, 2014...This bill gives caregivers
the authority to give permission for children and youth in their care to
participate in extracurricular, enrichment and social activities without the
prior approval of the CA worker.
Because
these legislative changes become effective prior to the new WACs being
implemented, we have had to make emergency WAC changes to our existing minimum
licensing standards. In collaboration
with program and policy staff, we concluded that there were only two WACs that
required emergency changes. These
administrative rules are detailed in their entirety below, and go into effect
June 12, 2014. We do not intend to file
for permanent adoption of these emergency WACs, as we file the new proposed
rewrite of the WACs, and will have incorporated these changes into the new
WACs. We expect the new WACs will be
adopted in the fall. Please feel free to
share the emergency WAC changes widely with foster parents or other
providers. If you have questions,
please contact Randy Roberts at
(360)
902-7872.
WAC 388-148-0455 Do I need
permission to travel on an overnight
trip or out-of-state with my foster
child?
You do not need permission to
travel in-state with a foster child for a period of time less than seventy-two
hours. (Travel to bordering counties in Idaho and Oregon is also considered
in-state travel.) Contact the child's DCFS worker with the agency having legal
custody of the child for written permission prior to out-of-state, or
out-of-country travel, or in-state travel over seventy-two hours.
WAC 388-148-0550 May my foster
children participate in routine activities without a licensed provider
supervising the activity?
You do not need DCFS worker
approval for your foster child's participation in routine activities without a
licensed provider supervising the activity, such as clubs, social outings with
classmates or friends. You may approve normal childhood activities using a
reasonable and prudent parenting standard. Overnight stays over seventy-two
hours requires DCFS worker approval. Any activities requiring travel must
comply with WAC 388-148-0455.
