Washington Administrative Code
Title 388 - Social and Health Services, Department of
CHILD CARE AGENCIES/LICENSING REQUIREMENTS
Chapter 388-145 - Licensing requirements for group care facilities and services
PROGRAM ACTIVITIES AND TOYS
Overnight Youth Shelters (OYS)
Section 388-145-2090 - What are the required ratios of staff to children under care in overnight youth shelters?

(1) An OYS licensed for youth who are thirteen through seventeen years old must have one staff person to every eight youth.

(2) An OYS licensed for youth who are sixteen through twenty years old must have one staff person to every six youth.

(3) An OYS must maintain the staffing ratio while youth are asleep. At least one staff must remain awake while youth are asleep. Other staff may be asleep, but must be available in the shelter in case of emergency.

(4) Whenever only one staff is required to be on duty, a second staff person must be on call and available to respond within thirty minutes.