PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Children's Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Licensing requirements for crisis nurseries/emergency respite centers.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.15.030.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: There is a growing need for overnight childcare for infants and young children in emergent situations not appropriate for child welfare intervention. No other type of licensed childcare resource currently exists. The 2001 legislature passed a bill allowing for the development of emergency respite centers for children birth through seventeen years old.
The development of licensing rules for crisis nurseries will provide consistent standards for all programs and provide for regular monitoring of the health and safety of children [who] receive care from these programs.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Representatives of the Department of Health, State Fire Marshal's Office, and DSHS -- Economic Services Administration will be involved in the development of these standards.
Process for Developing New Rule: Meetings with stakeholders will be held in several locations in the state. Work groups will be developed from those meetings. Additionally, DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the standards of care for crisis nurseries. Anyone interested in participating should contact the staff person indicated below. After the rules are drafted, DSHS will file a copy of the rules with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy will be sent to everyone currently on the mailing list and anyone else who requests a copy.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jean L. Croisant, Children's Administration, Division of Program and Policy Development, P.O. Box 45710, Olympia, WA 98504-5710, (360) 902-7992, TDD (360) 902-7906, fax (360) 902-7903, e-mail loje300@dshd.wa.gov [loje300@dshs.wa.gov].
July 17, 2001
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit