PDFWAC 110-145-1480

What are the general ratios of staff to children under care?

(1) You must have at least one case manager providing case management services for every 25 children in care.
(2) If you provide care as a group receiving center, emergency respite center, or a resource and assessment center, you must have at least one case manager for every 15 children in care.
(3) If you provide care as a secure, semi-secure, and regular crisis residential center, you must have one case manager at a minimum, and must maintain a ratio of one case manager for every six children in care.
(4) Staffing ratios specific to your program are outlined in WAC 110-145-1890 through 110-145-2200.
(5) If you have both a license and a contract for services, you must adhere to the most stringent staffing ratios.
(6) To keep the proper ratio of staff to children, the executive director, health care staff, on-site program manager, support staff, and maintenance staff may serve temporarily as direct care staff if they meet all other direct care staff qualifications and training.
(7) You must have relief staff so that all staff can have the equivalent of two days off a week. This is not required for family members if you have a staffed residential facility in a family residence.
(8) Children must be supervised during sleeping hours by at least one awake staff when:
(a) There are more than six children in care; and
(b) The major focus of the program is behavioral rather than the development of independent living skills such as a teen parent program or responsible living skills program; or
(c) The behavior of at least one of the youth poses a risk to self or others.
(9) Staffing ratios may be higher than the minimum listed if necessary for the health and safety of children, staff, or both, or per contract requirement.
(10) You must have one back-up or on-call person available at all times to report to the facility as soon as possible but no later than 30 minutes.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030. WSR 22-11-091, § 110-145-1480, filed 5/18/22, effective 6/18/22. WSR 18-14-078, recodified as § 110-145-1480, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18. 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, § 388-145-1480, filed 12/11/14, effective 1/11/15.]