Section 388-148-1520. What services am I expected to provide for children in my care?

(1) You must make all reasonable efforts to ensure that children are not abused or neglected per RCW 26.44.020(1) and chapter 388-15 WAC.

(2) You must provide and arrange for care that is appropriate for the child's age and development including:

(a) Emotional support;

(b) Nurturing and affection;

(c) Structured daily routines and living experiences; and

(d) Activities that promote the development of each child. This includes cultural and educational activities in your home and the community.

(3) In caring for infants and young children you must:

(a) Hold infants, under the age of six months, for all bottle feedings;

(b) Hold infants at other times for the purposes of comfort and attention; and

(c) Allow children plenty of free time outside of a swing, crib or playpen.

(4) In caring for youth enrolled and participating in the extended foster care program you must:

(a) Provide a youth opportunity and support for achieving independence; and

(b) Allow a youth responsibility for their actions.

(5) Before making significant changes in a child's appearance, you must consult with the child's DSHS worker. These significant changes include, but are not limited to, body piercing, tattoos and major changes in hairstyle or color.

(6) You must follow all state and federal laws regarding nondiscrimination while providing services to children in your care. You must treat foster children in your care with dignity and respect regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation and gender identity.

(7) You must connect a child with resources that meets a child's needs regarding race, religion, culture, sexual orientation and gender identity. These include cultural, educational and spiritual activities in your home and community including tribal activities within the child's tribal community or extended tribal family. Your licensor, the child's DSHS worker or CPA case manager and/or child's tribal ICW case manager can assist you with identifying these resources.

(8) You must be sensitive to a child's religion or spiritual practices. You must provide adequate opportunity for religious or spiritual training and participation appropriate to the child's spiritual beliefs. You may not require any child to participate in practices against their beliefs.

(9) You must provide for the child's physical needs. This includes adequate hygiene, nutritional meals and snacks, and readily available drinking water. This also includes a balanced schedule of rest, active play, and indoor and outdoor activity appropriate to the age of the child in care.

(10) You must guide the child to develop daily living skills according to the child's abilities and development. This may include assigning daily chores to children.

(11) The department will identify a suitable permanent plan for children in its care and custody. You may not interfere with this plan. You may attend appropriate shared planning meetings to participate in the decision making process and provide input on the child. You may submit information about the child's permanent plan and other issues through the caregiver's report to the court.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.010, 74.15.030, 74.15.040, 74.15.090, 74.13.031, and P.L. 113-183. WSR 16-17-101, § 388-148-1520, filed 8/19/16, effective 9/19/16. Statutory Authority: Chapters 13.34 and 74.13 RCW, RCW 74.15.030(2), 74.15.311(2), 74.13.032, 13.04.011, 74.13.020, 13.34.030, 74.13.031, 13.34.145, 74.15.311, 74.15.030, and 2013 c 105. WSR 15-01-069, § 388-148-1520, filed 12/11/14, effective 1/11/15.]

RCW 74.15.010, 74.15.030, 74.15.040, 74.15.090, 74.13.031, and P.L. 113-183. WSR 16-17-101, § 388-148-1520, filed 8/19/16, effective 9/19/16. Statutory Authority: Chapters 13.34 and 74.13 RCW, RCW 74.15.030(2), 74.15.311(2), 74.13.032, 13.04.011, 74.13.020, 13.34.030, 74.13.031, 13.34.145, 74.15.311, 74.15.030, and 2013 c 105. WSR 15-01-069, § 388-148-1520, filed 12/11/14, effective 1/11/15.

Rules

388-15,