May 2014
Developmental Disabilities Administration
Fact Sheet: VOLUNTARY PLACEMENT SERVICES
Overview
Voluntary Placement Services (VPS) engage communities, local service
providers, the DSHS Children’s Administration, and other stakeholders to
offer an array of services to a child residing in a licensed setting outside of
the child’s family home. Based upon the child’s disability, parents/legal
guardians may make a request for out-of-home placement (RCW 74.13.350).
Parents retain custody of their child and work in partnership with the
licensed provider to provide a shared parenting model which best supports
their child and his/her individual needs.
Supports that a child may receive while in voluntary placement include:
 Healthy and safe access to care and supports in the child’s community,
which may include mental health services, services paid through the
family’s private insurance, Medicaid, or waiver funding.
 Family’s choice in their child’s life and the services received.
 Participation in a shared parenting plan which outlines how routine
information will be exchanged about medical care, education, daily
routines and special situations in the life of the child.
 Coordination and partnership with special education services in the
child’s local school district.
 Participation and involvement in supervised age-appropriate activities in
the community.
 Oversight and support by a DDA social worker/social service specialist.
 Coordination of services through the Early Support for Infants and
Toddlers Program for children ages birth to three.
 Coordination of services through the Medically Intensive Children’s
Program (MICP) pursuant to WAC 182-551-3000.
Individuals who:
Eligibility
Requirements  Are determined eligible for DDA services under RCW Chapter 71A
RCW;
 Are under 18 years of age when the out-of-home placement occurs;
 Have no open investigations of abuse or neglect pending with DSHS
Children’s Administration;
 Are in the legal and physical custody of their parent or legal
representative;
 Have a signed request by the custodial parent(s) or legal representative,
and;
 The child/child's parents or legal representatives have accessed all other
appropriate available services in the family home.
Authority
 RCW 71A, Developmental Disabilities
 Chapter 388-826 WAC, Voluntary Placement Services
 Chapter 388-825 WAC, DDA Services Rules
 Chapter 388-148 WAC, DLR Licensing Requirements
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL & HEALTH SERVICES
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Budget
Rates
Partners
Oversight
Information
Contact


General Fund State and General Fund Federal (Medicaid)
Medical care is obtained through the Foster Care Medical Team (FCMT)
with a foster care medical coupon when the child in a licensed setting.
N/A
 DDA has a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the
Children’s Administration. The agreement outlines and identifies the
activities and responsibilities of each administration and subsequent
actions under specific conditions.
 DDA has informal partnerships with the DSHS Juvenile Justice and
Rehabilitation Administration (JJRA) and the Division of Behavioral
Health and Recovery (DBHR).
 DDA has a formal partnership with the Office of Superintendent of
Public Instruction (OSPI).
 DDA also solicits input from other stakeholders including individuals
receiving services, parents, advocacy organizations, counties, and service
providers.
 Residential providers are paid through a designated contract which
requires a valid license, approved background check, and appropriate
insurance.
 Children residing in a Child Foster Home are assessed annually or when
there is a significant change that affects the child’s need for support,
utilizing the Foster Care Rate Assessment tool, which determines
payment for specialized supports.
 Cost for supports in a Staffed Residential Home are determined using
standardized rate setting forms, which are reviewed regionally and
approved at DDA headquarters.
 DDA headquarters executes each vendor unique rate and completes all
contract amendments.
 Visits from the VPS Social Worker every 90 days to monitor the child’s
health, welfare and service needs.
 Annual Quality Assurance (QA) assessments.
 Child specific court oversight, initially within 180 days of placement,
and annually thereafter to confirm that the out-of-home placement is and
continues to be in the child’s best interest.
Developmental Disabilities Administration
Mark Eliason, Chief, Office of Program and Policy Development
360/725-3452
Email: Mark.Eliason@dshs.wa.gov
Website: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/index.shtml
WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL & HEALTH SERVICES
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