wa-26-21-030: Children, Youth, and Families, Department of — WSR 26-21-030

WSR 26-21-030 (26-21)WSR 26-21-030PROPOSED RULESDEPARTMENT OFCHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES[Filed October 13, 2026, 12:31 p.m.]Original Notice.Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 26-05-020.Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The partnership, prevention, and services division (PPSD) is creating new chapter 110-55 WAC, Child welfare housing program, to comply with RCW 74.13.802, provide additional clarity, and align with current practice.PPSD originally planned to add these WAC to the existing chapter 110-50 WAC, Child welfare, as noted in the CR-101 WSR 26-05-020, filed on February 9, 2026. However, PPSD determined these WAC would better fit in their own new chapter 110-55 WAC. Creating chapter 110-55 WAC, Child welfare housing program: WAC 110-55-0010 Legal basis for the child welfare housing program, 110-55-0020 Purpose, 110-55-0030 Definitions, 110-55-0040 Child welfare housing program, 110-55-0050 Eligibility criteria, 110-55-0060 Referrals for the child welfare housing program, 110-55-0070 Administering the child welfare housing program, 110-55-0090 Extending and ending child welfare supportive housing services, and 110-55-0100 Reviews.Hearing Location(s): On November 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., at Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), Conference Room 1213, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501. Comments can be made by submitting comments to the online comment application linked below, emailing the rules coordinator, attending a public hearing in person, or calling 360-972-5385 and leaving a voice mail that includes the comment and an email or physical mailing address where DCYF will send its response. All comments must be received by the deadline date and time listed below. Date of Intended Adoption: November 25, 2026.Submit Written Comments to: DCYF Rules Coordinator, Brenda Villarreal ASD, P.O. Box 40970, Olympia, WA 98504-0970, email dcyf.rulescoordinator@dcyf.wa.gov, online comment application https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/practice/policy-laws-rules/rul-making/participate/online [https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/practice/policy-laws-rules/rule-making/participate/online], beginning October 26, 2026, at 8:00 a.m., by November 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact DCYF rules coordinator, phone 360-972-5385, email dcyf.rulescoordinator@dcyf.wa.gov, relay users dial 711, by November 10, 2026.Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: This rule making will allow DCYF to be compliant with RCW 74.13.802. Reasons Supporting Proposal: See purpose.Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.13.802.Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.Name of Proponent: DCYF, governmental.Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Jess Mayrer, Olympia, 360-972-5385; Implementation and Enforcement: DCYF, statewide.A school district fiscal impact statement is not required under RCW 28A.305.135.A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. DCYF is not among the agencies listed as required to comply with RCW 34.05.328 (5)[(a)](i). This rule proposal, or portions of the proposal, is exempt from requirements of the Regulatory Fairness Act because the proposal: Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(3) as the rules relate only to internal governmental operations that are not subject to violation by a nongovernment party; and rule content is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute.Is exempt under RCW 19.85.025(4).Scope of exemption for rule proposal:Is fully exempt.October 13, 2026Brenda VillarrealRules CoordinatorRDS-7490.1Chapter 110-55 WACCHILD WELFARE HOUSING PROGRAMLEGAL BASIS, PURPOSE, AND DEFINITIONSNEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0010Legal basis for the child welfare housing program.The legal basis for the child welfare housing program is RCW 74.13.802.NEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0020Purpose.The child welfare housing program was created to provide supportive housing services to eligible families by the department or contract providers to:(1) Prevent children or youth from being placed in out-of-home care when unstable housing is a barrier for them to remain in their home; or(2) Return children or youth to their parents or guardians when they are in out-of-home care and appropriate housing is a barrier to reunification.NEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0030Definitions."Children" or "youth" means individuals who are one of the following:(a) Younger than 18 years of age;(b) Up to 21 years of age and enrolled in services through the department of social and health services developmental disabilities administration (DDA) the day prior to their 18th birthday and pursuing either a:(i) High school or equivalency course of study; or(ii) Vocational program;(c) Up to 21 years of age and participating in the extended foster care (EFC) program;(d) Up to 21 years of age with intellectual and developmental disabilities; or(e) Up to 25 years of age and in the custody of the juvenile rehabilitation division."Department" means the Washington state department of children, youth, and families."Indian children" means the same as defined in WAC 110-110-0010."Guardians" means the same as legal guardian defined in RCW 26.33.020 and includes guardianship arrangements recognized by applicable tribal courts or tribal laws."Parents" means the same as defined in RCW 26.26A.010.ELIGIBILITY AND REFERRAL PROCESSNEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0040Child welfare housing program.The department may provide the following through the child welfare housing program to eligible families:(1) Housing units;(2) Housing vouchers, including family unification program and foster youth to independence housing choice vouchers;(3) Other vouchers or forms of rental assistance;(4) Housing navigation;(5) Supportive housing services and financial assistance; and(6) Other support services.NEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0050Eligibility criteria.Parents or guardians are eligible for the child welfare housing program if they:(1) Meet the criteria outlined in RCW 74.13.802; or(2) Have Indian children who are under the jurisdiction of or receiving child welfare services from a federally recognized tribe and who otherwise meet the applicable criteria in RCW 74.13.802. This includes tribal voluntary and tribal payment only cases.NEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0060Referrals for the child welfare housing program.(1) Parents or guardians or individuals or entities acting on their behalf must submit a referral to the department to request supportive housing services.(2) The department will:(a) Review referrals for the child welfare housing program for approval and consider:(i) Eligibility requirements; and(ii) Other factors that may impact the family's ability to secure safe and sustainable housing; and(b) Notify referrers of the basis for the decision in writing.ADMINISTERING PROGRAMNEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0070Administering the child welfare housing program.The department will administer the child welfare housing program within available funds, which includes:(1) Reviewing referrals and determining eligibility;(2) Contracting with providers to provide supportive housing services; and(3) Collaborating with public and tribal housing authorities, including through memoranda of understanding, to access federally, state, or locally funded housing vouchers.NEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0090Extending and ending child welfare supportive housing services.(1) The department or contract providers will:(a) Provide supportive housing services for at least 12 months after families receive a housing voucher, except if subsection (2) of this section applies; and(b) Notify parents or guardians in writing 30 calendar days before their services end.(2) Contract providers may request department approval to extend supportive housing services beyond 12 months through the end of the contract period.NEW SECTIONWAC 110-55-0100Reviews.(1) Parents and guardians or individuals or entities acting on their behalf may request a review when the department denies a referral:(a) By contacting the department child welfare housing program; and(b) Within 30 calendar days after receipt of the initial decision.(2) The department will send a written decision within 30 calendar days of receiving the request for review.