PDFWAC 110-145-1815

Are written policies and procedures required describing a facility's discipline methods?

(1) You must provide a written statement with your application and reapplication for licensure describing the discipline methods you use. This plan must be approved by your LD licensor.
(2) You and authorized care providers have the responsibility for discipline; you may not delegate that responsibility to a child.
(3) You must not withhold a child's need for necessary services including contact with the child's DCYF caseworker, case manager, and legal representatives. You must not withhold approved contact with a child's family, without further approval from the child's DCYF caseworker.
(4) For additional information you may refer to DCYF's behavior management guidelines.
(5) If your discipline methods change, you must immediately provide a new statement to your LD licensor describing your current practice.
(6) You must use positive methods of guidance and discipline that promote self-control, self-responsibility, self-direction, self-esteem, and cooperation. Positive methods may include:
(a) Redirecting children;
(b) Giving choices when appropriate;
(c) Time-out as a method of guidance, to allow children time to change their behavior;
(d) Planning in order to prevent problems; and
(e) Using positive reinforcement and encouraging children to express their feelings and ideas.
(7) You must use discipline that is appropriate to the child's age and level of development.
(8) You must not use corporal punishment or verbally abusive, neglectful, humiliating, or frightening punishment.
(9) You must not discipline children in the following ways:
(a) Physical punishment;
(b) Cursing;
(c) Threats;
(d) Humiliation or intimidation; or
(e) Methods that interfere with a child's basic needs, including withholding of food.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030. WSR 22-11-091, § 110-145-1815, filed 5/18/22, effective 6/18/22. WSR 18-14-078, recodified as § 110-145-1815, 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, § 388-145-1815, filed 12/11/14, effective 1/11/15.]