HB 1194 makes significant changes to the court’s role in ordering visitation with the goal of providing the maximum parent, child, and sibling contact possible, while keeping the child safe. A statute-by-statute overview of these changes is provided, along with resources and implementation information.
HB 1194 Training – Strengthening Parent-Child Visits During Child Welfare Proceedings
A training and Q& A session on the new Family Time visit requirements created by HB 1194 was held on July 21, 2021. The session was recorded and can be viewed on this website. Q&As from the session will be posted soon.
New DCYF Family Time Guidance for Making Temporary, COVID-Related Changes to Court-Ordered Visits
DCYF and court partners worked with DOH to develop new in-person Family Time guidance that directs parties in every case to work together to reduce the opportunity for viral transmission during visits by creating Temporary COVID Aware Family Time Plans. The guidance does not eliminate in-person Family Time, due to the vital importance of keeping families connected during the pandemic. If parties cannot agree on a temporary plan, the issue will be brought to court.
DCYF Health Guidance for In-Person Family Time
To support resumption of in-person family time, DCYF consulted with the Department of Health to create health guidance and protocols to minimize the risk of virus transmission during a visit.
Dependency Practice Tip: In-Person Family Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic – August 2020
In-Person Family Time During the COVID-19 Pandemic Family Time and Washington’s Pandemic Response to Date In response to the COVID-19 health crisis, Governor Inslee signed Proclamation 20-33 on March 26, 2020, waiving RCW 13.34.136 family time visit requirements that DCYF provide the “maximum” contact “possible” and permitting the Department to limit, but not entirely suspend, visits without court approval. The original proclamation cited concerns that the foster care system could be destabilized if caregivers and group home providers refused placement
2019 Judicial Academy on Dependency Court Practice
June 2016 Judicial Training Presented by CITA and AOC
In early June 2016, CITA presented a dynamic two-day training program focused on providing information and tools to support what courts do – making informed and fair decisions – and how they do it – with trauma-responsive and compassionate leadership. Below are the presentations and materials from the training. The ABA Safety Guide was presented as a tool for structuring decisions and building dispositional orders and visitation plans designed to provide the information needed to make reunification and other permanency