DCYF Announces New Caregiver Supports Rate Assessment

Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families sent this bulletin at 10/06/2023 08:46 AM PDT

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Dear Foster Parents, Kinship Caregivers, and Tribal Partners, 

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families will replace the current four-level rate assessment system with a new, seven-level caregiver supports model beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

Our current rate assessment tool assesses the amount of time and energy caregivers spend parenting young people placed in their care, and it does not provide corresponding services or supports. The new rate assessment system aligns supports with known information about the child or youth.

The timelines and process for completing rate assessments will also be changing. DCYF staff will make an initial assessment within the first seven days. Next, we will validate that level using information about the youth that we will get from Health Care Authority information. The new process does not include an interview with the child’s caregiver.

To learn more about the Rate Assessment Timelines, additional virtual session dates, and why changes are being made, visit the Caregiver Support Project webpage: Caregiver Supports Project | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

New Caregiver Supports Rate Assessment (Effective Jan. 1, 2024)

The chart shows the seven new caregiver support levels, the support needs that are part of each level, and the rates for each level. The rates listed for levels 2-7 are inclusive of the Basic Foster Care rates. Caregiver Support Level 1 is for Basic Maintenance Foster Care and the monthly rate is $722 for ages 0-5, $846 for ages 6-11 and $860 for ages 12 and up. Caregiver Support Level 2 is for adolescents with low support needs and the monthly rates are not applicable for ages 0-5, not applicable for ages 6-11, and $1,202.50 for ages 12 and up. Caregiver Support Level 3 is for children and youth with chronic physical health needs and the monthly rates are $1,407 for ages 0-5, $1,531 for ages 6-11, and $1,545 for ages 12 and up. Caregiver Support Level 4 is for children and youth with Development Disabilities and the monthly rates are $1,749.50 for ages 0-5, $1,873.50 for ages 6-11, and $1,887.50 for ages 12 and up. Caregiver Support Level 5 is for children and youth with Development Disability and Chronic Physical Health needs and the monthly rates are $2,092 for ages 0-5, $2,216 for ages 6-11, and $2,230 for ages 12 and up. Caregiver Support Level 6 is for children and youth with Moderate Mental Health needs and the monthly rates are $2,434.50 for ages 0-5, $2,558,50 for ages 6-11, and $2,572.50 for ages 12 and up. Caregiver Support Level 7 is for children and youth with Complex Mental Health needs and the monthly rates are $2,777 for ages 0-5, $2,901 for ages 6-11, and $2,915 for ages 12 and up.

Caregivers licensed by a child placing agency (CPA) will be paid directly by DCYF. Read more here.

If you have questions about signing up for Direct Deposit or the Provider Portal or about claiming payments from DCYF, you may attend a Zoom session where a DCYF staff member will be available in real-time to answer questions.

DCYF Virtual Session – Caregiver Payments

Oct. 11, 2023 | 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. 

Zoom Link

Call-in Number: 1-253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 815 9333 8703

If you have any questions, email dcyf.caregiversupports@dcyf.wa.gov.