Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) You must retain a record of each child
placed by your agency. This record must contain all identifying legal, medical,
and social information.
(2) Any
identifying and personal information about a child and the child's family must
be kept confidential as required by
chapter
26.33 RCW. These records
must be kept in a secure place inaccessible to clients, unauthorized staff and
the public.
(3) During a child's
placement, the child's record must be maintained and you must attempt to obtain
the following information for the child's record, as appropriate to your
program:
(a) The child's name, birth date,
and legal status;
(b) Name and
telephone number of the child's DSHS worker for each child in care;
(c) Written consent, if any, for providing
medical care and emergency surgery (unless that care is authorized by a court
order);
(d) A copy of the current
legal authority to place;
(e)
Current case plans;
(f) Social
summary;
(g) Documentation of a
child's therapy treatment provided by your staff with the signature of the
person making the entry to the therapy or progress notes;
(h) Log of the child's placement history with
your agency; and
(i) Information
related to suspected child abuse and/or neglect referrals made to children's
administration, including the concern, date and person taking the
report.
(4) In addition,
your records must contain the following information if available:
(a) Names, address and telephone numbers of
parents or persons to be contacted in case of emergency;
(b) Information on specific cultural needs of
the child;
(c) Medical history
including any medical problems, name of doctor, type of medical coverage and
provider, date of any illnesses or accidents while placed in your agency's
care;
(d) Mental health history and
any current mental health, chemical dependency, and behavioral issues,
including medical and psychological reports when available;
(e) Other pertinent information related to
the child's health, including basic medical information, such as current
prescription medications, immunizations, allergies, dental records and/or eye
exams;
(f) Immunization records (if
a child's placement extends beyond thirty days). If the child is not current
with immunization, they must be updated as soon as medically possible.
Immunization records are not required to be current for children placed in a
foster home licensed by a child-placing agency to provide emergency respite
services on a voluntary placement agreement;
(g) Child's school records, report cards,
school pictures, and individual education plans (IEP);
(h) Special instructions including
supervision requirements and suggestions for managing problem
behavior;
(i) Inventory of the
child's personal belongings at the time of placement;
(j) Approved list of individuals with whom
the child may have contact;
(k) The
child's visitation plan; and
(l)
For pregnant and parenting youth, information on the mother/father of the
youth's child, if available.
(5) If you are unable to obtain this
information from the department you must document your attempt to obtain the
requested information in the child's file.
