Washington Administrative Code

(1) For levels one, two and three treatment, the program must ensure:(a) The groups are facilitated by a program staff member who is designated by the department at the staff or supervisor level;(b) A trainee may cofacilitate with a staff or supervisor, but must not facilitate th…

(1) The minimum treatment period is the time required for the participant to fulfill all conditions of treatment set by the treatment program as indicated in the participant's contract and their treatment plan.(2) Satisfactory completion of treatment must not be based solely on t…

Each treatment program certified for any level of domestic violence intervention treatment must ensure:(1) The treatment program has defined what it means to reoffend, including abusive or controlling behaviors that may or may not be illegal.(2) The treatment program has establis…

(1) The program must ensure:(a) The participant has met the program's written criteria for satisfactory completion of treatment including:(i) Cooperation with all program rules and requirements;(ii) The goals or objectives of the participant's treatment plan, which include measur…

(1) Discharge criteria must be uniform and predictable.(2) Discrimination may not occur against any participant.(3) The program may discharge or transfer a participant if the treatment program cannot provide adequate treatment services to the participant because of the treatment …

To obtain and maintain certification to provide domestic violence intervention treatment services, including certification to provide assessments or any level of care, each program is subject to an on-site or remote review to determine if the program is in compliance with the min…

DSHS investigates complaints regarding domestic violence intervention treatment programs that provide assessments or any level of intervention services.(1) Any person may submit a written complaint to DSHS if the person has the following concerns about a certified program:(a) The…

(1) If the department issues a written warning to a program, the department must send notice by certified mail and provide the treatment program with:(a) The specific reasons for the written warning;(b) The chapter 388-60A WAC standards that the written warning is based on;(c) An…

(1) If the department revokes, suspends a program's certification, or if no qualified direct service staff are available to provide services, the program must:(a) Take immediate steps to notify and refer current participants to other certified domestic violence intervention treat…

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA), also known as the Welfare Reform Act, allowed every state to create a program addressing family violence for temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) recipients.(1) For TANF/state funded a…

The following definitions apply to this chapter:(1) "Advocacy" means that the client is involved with an advocate in individual or group sessions with a primary focus of safety planning, empowerment, and education of the client through reinforcement of the client's autonomy and s…

Chapter 70.123 RCW authorizes the department to establish minimum standards for programs that receive funding from the department to provide supportive services and prevention efforts.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 18-09-015, § 388-61A-1005, filed 4/10/18, effectiv…

The rules of this chapter are to establish minimum uniform statewide standards for domestic violence supportive services, emergency shelters, and prevention efforts funded by the department.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 18-09-015, § 388-61A-1010, filed 4/10/18, ef…

Supportive services and emergency shelters for victims of domestic violence are essential to provide protection to victims from further abuse and physical harm. Research demonstrates that access to supportive services that increase a survivor's knowledge of safety planning and aw…

(1) We are not obligated to disburse funds to all domestic violence programs that meet the minimum standards set forth in this chapter. Our goals are to:(a) Provide for a statewide network of supportive services, including emergency shelter, and advocacy for victims of domestic v…

(1) Supportive services provided by the domestic violence program must align with the survivor-centered and empowerment service model described in this chapter, and must also:(a) Include a discussion of safety and options with each victim of domestic violence seeking assistance;(…

(1) Programs that we contract with for emergency shelter must also provide:(a) A crisis hotline or helpline;(b) A place of temporary lodging that complies with the service and facility requirements of this chapter;(c) A day program or drop in service for victims who have a need f…

(1) With the parent's or guardian's permission, you must offer children/youth the opportunity to receive and participate in the following age appropriate supportive services during their emergency shelter residency:(a) Orientation to the emergency shelter;(b) Information about do…

(1) Emergency shelters must provide a crisis hotline/helpline telephone number for accessing the services of the domestic violence program. The telephone number must be widely distributed throughout the service area covered by the domestic violence program and be identified as th…

Prevention is changing the social norms that allow and perpetuate domestic violence. The core strategy for preventing domestic violence is the promotion of healthy, respectful, nonviolent relationships by shifting attitudes, behaviors, and social norms at the individual, relation…

While valuable, we do not consider certain activities to be prevention. Examples of these activities include, but are not limited to:(1) Community education as defined in this chapter;(2) Transformative and restorative justice efforts;(3) Single session or one-time activities, su…

(1) You must have a written file for each client served by your domestic violence program. Client files must:(a) Include an intake that clearly documents the client's eligibility for domestic violence services;(b) Include copies of all required releases and client notices;(c) Be …

(1) Agents, employees, and volunteers of a domestic violence program must maintain the confidentiality of all personally identifying information, confidential communications, and all confidential information as defined in this chapter. Information that individually or together wi…

(1) You may disclose confidential information only when one or more of the following is met:(a) The client provides informed, written consent to the waiver of confidentiality that relates only to the client or the client's dependent children;(b) Your failure to disclose is likely…

(1) To be valid, a written waiver of confidentiality must:(a) Be voluntary;(b) Relate only to the client or the client's dependent children;(c) Clearly describe the scope and any limitations of the information to be released;(d) Include an expiration date for the release; and(e) …

(1) You must provide each client with a written "notice of rights" at the time of the initial intake and any subsequent intake into the domestic violence program. At a minimum, the notice of rights must inform clients of the following:(a) The client's right to privacy and confide…

Initial and continuing education training of domestic violence program staff is critically important. In addition, quality supervision is an integral component for the provision of excellent advocacy and in supporting staff. Advocates and advocate supervisors must be able to demo…

Initial, continuing education, and supervisor training must be documented as required by the department.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 18-09-015, § 388-61A-1085, filed 4/10/18, effective 5/11/18.]

Supervisors of staff providing supportive services to domestic violence clients must have the following minimum experience and training requirements prior to being hired as a supervisor:(1) At least two years of experience providing advocacy to victims of domestic violence within…

The domestic violence program must have written policies or procedures on the following:(1) Programs that provide emergency shelter must have procedures for the intake process, including that victims who are at immediate risk of harm or in immediate danger due to domestic violenc…

You must keep your equipment and the physical structures in the emergency shelter, including furniture and appliances, safe and clean for the clients you serve. You must:(1) Maintain the emergency shelter, premises, equipment, and supplies in a clean, safe and sanitary condition,…

The minimum requirements for bedrooms are as follows:(1) A bed for each resident that is in good condition, with a clean and comfortable mattress;(2) A minimum ceiling height of seven and one-half feet; and(3) At least fifty square feet of usable floor area per bed and floor area…

If the emergency shelter provides cribs or bassinets, the shelter must comply with the crib safety standards issued by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 18-09-015, § 388-61A-1110, filed 4/10/18, effective 5/11/18.]

You must provide a sanitary diaper changing area. In addition, you must develop and post in view of the changing area hygienic procedures for handling and storing diapers and sanitizing the changing area. These procedures must also be provided in writing to all residents with inf…

The following are the minimum general requirements for kitchen facilities:(1) A sink for washing dishes;(2) A refrigerator or other storage equipment capable of maintaining a consistent temperature of forty five degrees Fahrenheit or lower;(3) A range or stove;(4) Covered garbage…

(1) Your domestic violence program must provide food and beverages for the basic sustenance of clients residing in emergency shelter, unless other resources are immediately available.(2) You must store food and beverages, including infant formula, at the emergency shelter to prov…

(1) If an adult or child comes into emergency shelter without adequate clothing, you must assist them with access to clean, well fitting clothing appropriate to the season, and the individual's age, gender, and particular needs.(2) Clothing that you provide must be clean and have…

All clients residing in emergency shelter must be provided with personal hygiene products during their residency, such as soap, hair care products, toothbrush and paste, and deodorant. Particular attention must be paid to providing items for individuals that have special needs be…

You must meet the following requirements for toilets, sinks, and bathing facilities:(1) You must provide at least one indoor flush-type toilet, one nearby sink for hand washing, and a bathtub or shower facility. These facilities must be located within the emergency shelter buildi…

You must provide bed linen, towels, and washcloths that are clean and in good repair. After use by a client, bed linen, towels, and washcloths must be laundered prior to use by another client.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 18-09-015, § 388-61A-1145, filed 4/10/18, …

The requirements for laundry facilities are as follows:(1) You must provide adequate laundry and drying equipment or make other arrangements for getting laundry done on a regular basis. Laundry facilities in the emergency shelter must be provided free to shelter residents.(2) You…

Water supplies that are used for human consumption must be from a water system that has been approved by the local health authority or department as safe for human consumption. This refers to both public water systems and individual systems.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RC…

You must discharge sewage and liquid wastes into a public sewer system or septic system that has been approved by the local health authority or department.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 18-09-015, § 388-61A-1160, filed 4/10/18, effective 5/11/18.]

(1) Rooms used by clients in the emergency shelter must be equipped with a safe and adequate source of heat that can keep the room at a healthful temperature during the time the room is occupied.(2) The use of gas or oil fired space heaters is prohibited.[Statutory Authority: Cha…

You must ensure that your emergency shelter is ventilated for the health and comfort of the clients residing in shelter by meeting the following requirements:(1) A mechanical exhaust to the outside must ventilate toilets and bathrooms that do not have windows opening to the outsi…

You must locate light fixtures and provide lighting that promotes good visibility and comfort for clients residing in emergency shelter.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 18-09-015, § 388-61A-1175, filed 4/10/18, effective 5/11/18.]

Pets are prohibited from the kitchen during food preparation.[Statutory Authority: Chapter 70.123 RCW. WSR 18-09-015, § 388-61A-1180, filed 4/10/18, effective 5/11/18.]