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Hello Child Placing Agency (CPA) partners,
WA CAP Updates
On Dec. 16, 2025, WA CAP implemented the following updates as part of our quarterly release schedule.
WA CAP User Manual
The WA CAP User Manual has been updated on the CPA Webpage. This manual provides thorough instructions for completing steps in WA CAP.
Foster Care Home Study References:
The Home Study Practice Guide does not accurately reflect current practice for references in the home study. Current practice requires:
- At least one reference be unrelated
- One reference must have known the individual for a minimum of two years.
Please follow the guidance for references in the Required Documents for CPAs- Foster Care Licensing. The Home Study Practice Guide will be updated with this guidance in Summer 2026 as a part of the Negotiated Rule Making (NRM) Project.
ICPC Home Study Update
The ICPC Home Study Update for Foster Care License DCYF 10-043C is now available. This form will be used when Licensing Division receives an ICPC request to assess the specific needs of children or youth in a home with an open Foster Care License. It is intended to make the home study update process more efficient for families, staff, and our ICPC partners. This form is similar to the kinship update form and will look familiar in many ways.
New process highlights:
- This form will be used to approve ICPC requests. If the ICPC request cannot be approved, a closure letter will be sent.
- The Required Documents for CPAs- Foster Care and Kinship Care Licensing booklets will be updated.
Foster Care Negotiated Rule Making (FC NRM) Year in Review
As we close out the year, the Foster Care NRM team would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to our Tribal CPA and CPA partners who’ve contributed to the Foster Care NRM work. Your thoughtful feedback and collaboration have shaped every part of this effort.
This year, the project completed virtual negotiations which included foster parents from each region, youth and parents with lived experience, Tribal CPA and CPA partners, and LD staff from all foster care programs. WAC Chapter 110-148 was available in the summer for internal comments and a leadership review. This fall, workgroups formed on the home study and home study guide, policy and procedures, forms, WA CAP updates, communication and change management, and training. The WAC is being prepared for public comment and AAG review this winter.
If you have general questions, contact the FC NRM team at dcyf.fostercarenrm@dcyf.wa.gov, or you can check out the website for the latest project updates.
Wishing you peace, joy, and warmth this holiday season - and a bright year ahead!
Thanks,
Ron Effland
Foster Care Senior Administrator
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