Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) will be making changes to the foster care rate assessment (FCRA) WAC in chapter 110-50 WAC and other related rules. The WAC revisions will allow DCYF to revise the foster care maintenance levels and rates and the standardized process that will be used to determine the level and rate paid to licensed foster parents. The standardized process will determine the child's or youth's level and rate based on their physical, mental health, and behavioral needs. The WAC will also be reorganized and redundancy removed, decreasing the number of FCRA WAC.

DCYF will also be revising the placement WAC in chapter 110-50 WAC and other related rules regarding child placing agencies' (CPAs) expectations and reimbursement as they relate to the revised foster care maintenance levels and rates in chapter 110-50 WAC.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The WAC revisions will allow DCYF to pay additional levels of foster care maintenance payments based on the specific needs of the child or youth. The changes to the standardized assessment tool will be centered on the child's or youth's needs, not on the home they are placed in.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Not applicable.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Michael Campbelll, 1210 West University Way, Ellensburg, WA 98926, phone 509-654-4940.