LICENSE-EXEMPT CARE—FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS (FFN) IN-HOME/RELATIVE CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

PART I

INTRODUCTION

(1) The purpose of this chapter is to establish rules for the administration of child care subsidy funds through the working connections child care (WCCC) program for family, friends, and neighbors (FFN) in-home/relative child care providers. The department of children, youth, and families (DCYF) is the lead agency for the federal Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) program, governed by 42 U.S.C. 9858 et. seq., (CCDF authorization and implementation statutes) and 45 C.F.R. Part 98 (CCDF regulations). This chapter addresses CCDF health and safety requirements and WCCC program requirements for family, friends, and neighbors (FFN) in-home/relative child care providers.

(2) In addition to the requirements contained in this chapter, FFN providers must comply with applicable provisions of chapter 43.216 RCW (department of children, youth, and families), chapter 110-06 WAC (background check rules), and chapter 110-15 WAC (WCCC) subsidy program rules.

(3) The requirements contained in this chapter are consistent with and support the department's commitment to promoting the health, safety, and well-being of children, expanding access to quality early learning opportunities to improve outcomes in young children and promoting school readiness.

(4) The department recognizes that a child's parents and family are the child's first and most important teachers and decision makers. The department is committed to working alongside parents to promote the overall well-being of their children, providing technical assistance and resource referral at the request of parents or providers, and using a variety of methods to communicate with parents and providers about program changes and relevant resources and information.

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

(1) "Benefit" means a regular payment made by a government agency on behalf of a person eligible to receive it.

(2) "Child" or "children," except when otherwise specified, means a child or children eligible for WCCC benefits under chapter 110-15 WAC.

(3) "Days" means calendar days unless otherwise specified.

(4) "Department" or "DCYF" means the department of children, youth, and families.

(5) "In-home/relative provider" or "family, friends, and neighbors (FFN) provider" means an individual who is exempt from child care licensing requirements and is approved for WCCC payments under WAC 110-15-0125. Reference in this chapter to the term "provider" means an in-home/relative or FFN provider, except when otherwise specified.

(6) "In loco parentis" means the adult caring for a child eligible for WCCC in the absence of the biological adoptive, or step-parents, and who is not a relative, court-ordered guardian, or custodian, and who is responsible for exercising day-to-day care and control of the child.

(7) "Infant" is a child birth through eleven months of age.

(8) "Lockdown" means to remain inside the home when police or an official emergency response agency notifies a provider that it is unsafe to leave or be outdoors during an emergency situation.

(9) "Parent" means, for the purposes of this chapter, the "in loco parentis" or the biological, adoptive, or step-parent, court-ordered guardian, or custodian eligible for WCCC benefits under this chapter.

(10) "Subsidy payment begin date" means the first day the provider is authorized to start billing for care provided to eligible children.

(11) "Supervise" or "supervision" means a provider must be able to see or hear the children they are responsible for at all times. Providers must use their knowledge of each child's development and behavior to anticipate what may occur to prevent unsafe or unhealthy events or conduct, or to intervene in such circumstances as soon as possible. Providers must also reposition themselves or the children to be aware of where children are and what they are doing during care. Providers must reassess and adjust their supervision each time child care activities change.

(12) "Swimming pool" means a pool that has a water depth greater than two feet.

(13) "Technical assistance" means the provision of customized supports to develop or strengthen processes, knowledge application, or implementation of services by providers.

(14) "Toddler" means a child twelve months through twenty-nine months of age.

(15) "Wading pool" means a pool that has a water depth of less than two feet. A portable wading pool is one that is formed of molded plastic or inflatable parts and can be removed after use.

(16) "Water activities" refers to the activities in which children in care swim or play in a body of water that poses a risk of drowning for children.

(17) "WCCC" means the working connections child care program, a child care subsidy program available to eligible families to help pay for child care.

PART II

PROVIDER APPROVAL AND RESPONSIBILITIES

(1) To be approved as a family, friend, and neighbor (FFN) in-home/relative provider for the WCCC program, the individual must:

(a) Be eighteen years of age or older;

(b) Complete the approval process that will include, but not be limited to, providing:

(i) Legal name, current street address, telephone number, and email address;

(ii) Documents required to establish that the individual meets legal employment eligibility requirements that may include, but are not limited to:

(A) A legible copy of the individual's valid Social Security card; and

(B) A legible copy of the individual's valid government issued photo identification, such as a current driver's license, Washington state identification, or passport.

(c) Meet all applicable WCCC subsidy and background check requirements of chapters 110-15 and 110-06 WAC.

(2) An individual will not be approved to receive WCCC subsidy payment as a provider for an eligible child in his or her care if the individual is:

(a) The child's biological or adoptive parent, step-parent, or the parent's live-in partner;

(b) The child's legal guardian or the guardian's spouse or live-in partner;

(c) An adult acting in loco parentis or that adult's spouse or live-in partner;

(d) An individual with a revoked child care license; or

(e) Receiving temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) benefits on behalf of the eligible child.

(3) Providers are not eligible to receive WCCC benefits for their own children for the same hours for which they receive payment for child care they provide for other WCCC-eligible children.

(1) The provider must:

(a) Agree to provide care, supervision, and daily activities based on the child's developmental needs, including health, safety, physical, nutritional, emotional, cognitive, and social needs;

(b) Report any legal name, address, or telephone number changes to DCYF within ten days;

(c) Comply with the requirements contained in this chapter and the applicable requirements in chapters 110-06 and 110-15 WAC;

(d) Allow parents access to their own children at all times while in care; and

(e) Have access to a telephone with 911 emergency calling services and capability for both incoming and outgoing calls during all times children are in care.

(2) The provider must not submit an invoice for more than six children for the same hours of care.

(3) Care must be provided in the following locations:

(a) Providers related to the child by marriage, blood relationship, or court decree and who are grandparents, great-grandparents, siblings (if living in a separate residence), aunts, or uncles, must choose to be approved to provide care in either the provider's home or the child's home, with the exception that providers residing with a person disqualified under chapter 110-06 WAC must provide care in the child's home.

(b) Providers related to the child by marriage, blood, or court decree, but not listed in (a) of this subsection, must choose to be approved to provide care in either the provider's home or the child's home, with the exception that providers residing with a person disqualified under chapter 110-06 WAC must provide care in the child's home.

(c) Providers not related to the child, such as friends or neighbors must provide care in the child's home.

(4) Providers must comply with health and safety activities as follows:

(a) Providers related to the child as described in subsection (3)(b) of this section, must participate in a technical assistance phone call with the department within ninety days of the subsidy payment begin date and annually thereafter;

(b) Providers not related to the child, as described in subsection (3)(c) of this section:

(i) Must complete the department-approved training required in WAC 110-16-0025; and

(ii) Must have an annual technical assistance visit in the child's home.

PART III

HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

(1) A provider not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c) must complete the following training within ninety calendar days of the subsidy payment begin date:

(a) Infant, child, and adult first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR):

(i) This training must be taken in person and the provider must demonstrate learned skills to the instructor.

(ii) The instructor must be certified by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute, or other nationally recognized certification program.

(b) Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and safe sleep practices when caring for infants; and

(c) Department-approved health and safety training which includes the following topic areas:

(i) Prevention and control of infectious diseases;

(ii) Administration of medication;

(iii) Prevention of, and response to, emergencies due to food and allergic reactions;

(iv) Building and physical premises safety, including identification of and protection from hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic;

(v) Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abuse head trauma, and child maltreatment;

(vi) Emergency preparedness and response planning for natural disaster and human-caused events;

(vii) Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of bio contaminants;

(viii) Appropriate precautions in transporting children;

(ix) Recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect, including the prevention of child abuse and neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020 and mandatory reporting requirements under RCW 26.44.030; and

(x) Other topic areas as determined by the department.

(2) A provider not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c) can meet the health and safety training in subsection (1)(c) of this section if the department verifies that the provider has completed any of the following either prior to or within ninety calendar days of the subsidy payment begin date:

(a) Child care basics, a department-approved thirty-hour health and safety training.

(b) Washington state early childhood education initial certificate (twelve credits) that includes early childhood education and development 105 health, safety, and nutrition.

(3) A provider not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), who, on October 1, 2018, has an existing WCCC subsidy authorization with an end date on or before December 30, 2018, does not need to complete the training required under subsections (1) or (2) of this section. If the provider is reauthorized for payment beginning January 1, 2019, or later, the provider must complete the training required under subsections (1) and (2) of this section unless exempt from training under subsection (2)(b) of this section.

(4) A provider not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), must annually renew portions of the training required in subsection (1)(c) of this section, as determined by state or federal requirements.

(1) Providers not related to the child as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), must comply with the following health and safety activity requirements:

(a) Complete the Parent and FFN Provider Health and Safety Agreement; and

(b) Participate in an annual, scheduled visit in the child's home. If necessary, as determined by the department, follow-up visits may occur on a more frequent basis.

(2) The Parent and FFN Provider Health and Safety Agreement must:

(a) Be signed by the provider and parent(s) and verify that the parent(s) and provider discussed and reviewed all of the topics and subject matter items contained in the agreement. The subject matter items include, but are not limited to, emergency contacts, fire and emergency prevention, knowledge and treatment of children's illnesses and allergies, developmental and special needs, medication administration, safe transportation, child immunizations, and safe evacuation; and

(b) Be received by the department within forty-five days of completion of the training requirements in WAC 110-16-0025 (2)(a) or verification of the training exemption in WAC 110-16-0025 (2)(b).

(3) The purpose of the annual, scheduled visit in the child's home is to:

(a) Provide technical assistance to the provider regarding the health and safety requirements described in this chapter;

(b) Observe the provider's interactions with the child, and discuss health and safety practices;

(c) Provide written information and local resources about child development to include the major domains of cognitive, social, emotional, physical development, and approaches to learning; and

(d) Provide regional contact information for FFN child care services and resources.

(4) If the department is not able to successfully complete a scheduled visit with the provider in the child's home after three attempts, the provider will be deemed not in compliance with the requirements of this chapter.

(5) At the annual, scheduled visit, the provider must show:

(a) Proof of identity;

(b) Proof of current certification for first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the form of a card, certificate, or instructor letter;

(c) Proof of vaccination against or acquired immunity for vaccine-preventable diseases for all children in care, if the provider's children are on-site at any time with the eligible children. Proof can include:

(i) A current and complete department of health certificate of immunization status (CIS) or certificate of exemption (COE) or other department of health approved form; or

(ii) A current immunization record from the Washington state immunization information system (WA IIS).

(d) Written permission from the parent to:

(i) Allow children to use a swimming pool;

(ii) Administer medication for treatment of illnesses and allergies of the children in care;

(iii) Provide for and accommodate developmental and special needs; and

(iv) Provide transportation for care, activities, and school when applicable.

(e) The written home evacuation plan required in WAC 110-16-0035 (4)(c).

(1) Providers not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), must comply with the following health and safety activity practices according to the required health and safety training:

(a) Prevention and control of infectious diseases;

(b) Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and safe sleep practices, including sudden infant death syndrome/sudden unexpected infant death syndrome risk reduction; and

(c) Recognition and reporting of child abuse and neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020 and mandatory reporting requirements under RCW 26.44.030.

(2) Medication administration. Providers not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), must comply with the following medication administration requirements:

(a) A child's parent, or an appointed designee, must provide training to the provider for special medical procedures that the provider may have to administer to the child. This training must be documented and signed by the provider and parent;

(b) The provider must not give medication to any child without written and signed consent from that child's parent or health care provider. The medication must be given according to the directions on the medication label using appropriately cleaned and sanitized medication measuring devices;

(c) The provider must not give or allow others to give any medication to a child for the purpose of sedating the child unless the medication has been prescribed for a specific child for that particular purpose by a health care professional; and

(d) Medication must be stored and maintained as directed on the packaging or prescription label, including applicable refrigeration requirements.

(3) Indoor building and physical premises safety. Providers not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), must comply with the following indoor building and physical premises safety requirements:

(a) The provider must visually scan indoor areas to identify potential child safety hazards and discuss removal or reduction of identified hazards with the parent. If it is not possible for the provider to immediately correct or make a hazard completely inaccessible to a child, the provider must supervise the child to avoid injury from such identified hazard. Child safety hazards include, but are not limited to:

(i) Tobacco and cannabis products and containers holding tobacco and cannabis products or ashes;

(ii) Firearms, guns, weapons, and ammunition;

(iii) Any equipment, material, or objects that may pose a risk of choking, aspiration, or ingestion. For purposes of this section, equipment, material, or objects with a diameter or overall dimension of one and three-quarter inch or less are considered items that may pose a risk of choking, aspiration, or ingestion;

(iv) Straps, strings, cords, wires, or similar items capable of forming a loop around a child's neck that are not being used for a supervised activity;

(v) Poisons, chemicals, toxins, dangerous substances or any product labeled "Keep out of reach of children," including, but not limited to, fuel, lighter fluid, solvents, fertilizer, ice melt product, pool chemicals, pesticides, or insecticides, cleansers and detergents, air freshener or aerosols, sanitizing products, and disinfectants;

(vi) Personal grooming, cosmetics, and hygiene products including, but not limited to, nail polish remover, lotions, creams, toothpaste, powder, shampoo, conditioners, hair gels or hair sprays, bubble bath, or bath additives;

(vii) Alcohol, including closed and open containers;

(viii) Plastic bags and other suffocation hazards;

(ix) Equipment, materials, or products that may be hot enough to injure a child;

(x) Freezers, refrigerators, washers, dryers, compost bins, and other entrapment dangers;

(xi) Uneven walkways, damaged flooring or carpeting, or other tripping hazards;

(xii) Large objects capable of tipping or falling over, such as televisions, dressers, bookshelves, wall cabinets, sideboards or hutches, and wall units;

(xiii) Indoor temperatures less than sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit or greater than eighty-two degrees Fahrenheit;

(xiv) Water accessible to children that may be hotter than one hundred twenty degrees Fahrenheit (the provider should always feel hot water before using on or for a child);

(xv) Windows and stairs accessible to children; and

(xvi) Electrical outlets, power strips, exposed wires, and electrical/extension cords.

(b) During care hours, providers must not themselves, and must not allow others who may be in the presence of the children to:

(i) Possess or use illegal drugs;

(ii) Consume or use alcohol or cannabis products in any form;

(iii) Be under the influence of alcohol, cannabis products in any form, illegal drugs, or misused prescription drugs; and

(iv) Smoke or vape in the home, vehicle, or in close proximity to a child.

(4) Outdoor building and physical premises safety. The provider must visually scan outdoor play areas to identify potential child safety hazards and discuss removal or reduction of identified hazards with the parent. If it is not possible for the provider to immediately correct or make a hazard completely inaccessible to a child, the provider must supervise the child to avoid injury. Outdoor hazards include, but are not limited to:

(a) Outdoor play area or equipment that is not clean, not in good condition, or not maintained or safe for a child of a certain age to use;

(b) Bouncing equipment including, but not limited to, trampolines, rebounders and inflatable equipment. This requirement does not apply to bounce balls designed to be used by individual children;

(c) Toxic plants or plants with poisonous leaves such as foxglove, morning glory, tomato, potato, rhubarb, or poison ivy;

(d) Extreme weather conditions such as:

(i) Heat in excess of one hundred degrees Fahrenheit;

(ii) Cold below twenty degrees Fahrenheit;

(iii) Lightning storm, tornado, hurricane or flooding; and

(iv) Air quality warnings by public health or other authorities.

(e) Bodies of water such as:

(i) Swimming pools when not being used, portable wading pools, hot tubs, spas, and jet tubs;

(ii) Ponds, lakes, storm retention ponds, ditches, fountains, fish ponds, landscape pools, or similar bodies of water; and

(iii) Uncovered wells, septic tanks, below grade storage tanks, farm manure ponds, or other similar hazards.

(f) Streets, alleyways, parking lots or garages.

(5) Emergency preparedness and response planning. Providers not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), must comply with the following emergency preparedness and response planning requirements:

(a) The provider must visually scan indoor and outdoor areas to identify potential fire or burn hazards and discuss the removal or reduction of identified hazards with the parent. If it is not possible for the provider to immediately correct or make identified hazards completely inaccessible to a child, the provider must supervise the child to avoid injury from such identified hazards. Fire or burn hazards include, but are not limited to:

(i) Appliances and any heating device that has a hot surface when in use or still hot after use;

(ii) Open flame devices, candles, matches, and lighters. Open flame devices, candles, matches, and lighters must not be used during care hours; and

(iii) The lack of, or nonworking smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or other fire prevention equipment.

(b) If there is a fire in the home during care hours, the provider's first responsibility is to evacuate the children in care to a safe gathering spot outside the home and then call 911;

(c) The provider and parent must have an agreed upon written home evacuation plan in the event of fire or an emergency or other disaster. The plan must be updated as needed and include, at a minimum:

(i) A floor plan that shows emergency exit pathways, doors, and windows;

(ii) A description for how the provider will evacuate all of the children, especially those who cannot walk;

(iii) A description for how the provider will account for all of the children in the home;

(iv) A designated, safe gathering spot or alternative short-term location for the children and provider pending arrival of the fire department, emergency response, or the parent;

(v) A description of what to take, such as a first aid kit, medications, water, and food; and

(vi) A description for how parents will be contacted after the emergency is over and arrange for pick-up of children, if needed.

(d) To be properly prepared for a home evacuation or lockdown, the provider must be able to easily access emergency items including, but not limited to:

(i) A first aid kit;

(ii) A working flashlight available for use as an emergency light source and extra batteries if the flashlight is powered by batteries;

(iii) A working telephone; and

(iv) Food, water, and a three-day supply of medication required by individual children.

(e) The provider must practice emergency and home evacuation drills with the children as follows:

(i) Earthquake and home evacuation drills once every six calendar months; and

(ii) A lockdown drill annually.

(6) Child transportation. Providers not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), must comply with the following child transportation requirements: When transporting children, the provider must:

(a) Comply with RCW 46.61.687 and other applicable laws that pertain to child restraints and car seats appropriate for the size and age of each child in care;

(b) Drive only with a valid driver's license;

(c) Have in effect a current motor vehicle insurance policy that provides coverage for the driver, the vehicle, and all other occupants;

(d) Ensure that children are accounted for when entering and exiting a vehicle for transport to and from any destination; and

(e) Never leave the children by themselves.

(7) Supervision of children. Providers not related to the child, as described in WAC 110-16-0015 (3)(c), must comply with the following supervision requirements:

(a) The provider must supervise children during care hours. Supervising children requires the provider to engage in specific actions including, but not limited to:

(i) Scanning the environment, looking and listening for both verbal and nonverbal cues to anticipate problems and planning accordingly;

(ii) Positioning oneself to supervise areas accessible to children; and

(iii) Considering the following when deciding whether increased supervision is needed:

(A) Ages of children;

(B) Individual differences and abilities of children;

(C) Layout of the home and play areas; and

(D) Risks associated with the activities children are engaged in.

(b) The provider must provide increased supervision when the children:

(i) Interact with pets or animals;

(ii) Engage in water or sand play;

(iii) Play in an area in close proximity to a body of water;

(iv) Use a route to access an outdoor play area when the area is not next to the home;

(v) Engage in activities in the kitchen;

(vi) Ride on public transportation;

(vii) Engage in outdoor play; and

(viii) Participate in field trips.

(c) The provider must ensure no infant or child is left unattended during:

(i) Diapering;

(ii) Bottle feeding; or

(iii) Tummy time.

(d) The provider must not allow any person other than a child's parent or authorized individual to have unsupervised access to a child during care hours. For the purpose of this section, individuals authorized to have unsupervised access include:

(i) A government representative including emergency responders who have specific and verifiable authority for access; and

(ii) A person, such as a family member, family friend, or the child's therapist or health care provider, authorized in writing or over the telephone by a child's parent.

PART IV

COMPLIANCE

(1) If the department determines a provider has failed to comply with a requirement described in this chapter, the department may do one or more of the following:

(a) Offer and provide technical assistance for the purpose of correcting noncompliance issues that arise from WAC 110-16-0015, 110-16-0025, 110-16-0030, or 110-16-0035;

(b) Require an in-home compliance agreement (ICA) for the purpose of correcting noncompliance issues;

(c) Take steps to initiate termination of the provider's participation in the WCCC subsidy programs; and

(d) Take steps to initiate a determination of child care subsidy payment discrepancies pursuant to WAC 110-15-0266 that may have resulted from noncompliance issues.

(2) An in-home compliance agreement (ICA) must contain the following:

(a) A description of the noncompliance issues and the regulations or statutes violated;

(b) A statement from the provider describing the provider's proposed plan to comply with the regulations or statutes;

(c) The date by which the noncompliance issues must be corrected;

(d) A statement of other corrective action that may be required if compliance does not occur by the specified date;

(e) The signatures of the provider and the department representative agreeing to the terms of the ICA; and

(f) A statement from the department indicating whether the corrective action requirements were satisfactorily met.

(3) The length of time the department may allow for the provider to make the corrections necessary to be in compliance will be determined by the department with consideration given to:

(a) The seriousness of the noncompliance; and

(b) The threat to the health, safety, and well-being of the children in care.