Dependency Briefs What you need to know when a dependent child is in out of home care for 15 of the last 22 months – in 12 slides!

15/22 If a dependent child has been in “out of home care” for 15 of the last 22 months since the dependency was filed…

File a Petition for Termination of Parent-Child Relationship… unless…. RCW directs that the court shall order the department or supervising agency to file a Petition for Termination of the Parent-Child Relationship unless…

…“Good Cause” is found not to file. Good cause includes, but is not limited to… Good Cause Exceptions

…a child being cared for by relatives…

…the Court finds that the Department has not provided all of the services deemed necessary for a safe return home…

…or that the department has documented compelling reasons showing that termination is not in the child’s best interest.

Other compelling reasons include that return home of the child is imminent, cultural considerations, or a finding that a plan other than adoption is in the child’s best interest.

RCW (3)(b)(vi) Ordering a termination petition to be filed or making compelling circumstances findings isn’t just a good idea, it’s the law!

You can help! Whether you are a judge, commissioner, lawyer, Social Worker, or Court Clerk, make sure proper findings are made and hearings are set on time. Remember findings must be made within 15 months. You can help! Whether you are a judge, commissioner, lawyer, Social Worker, or Court Clerk, make sure proper findings are made and hearings are set on time. Remember findings must be made within 15 months.

Get credit for the good work you do! Make sure the proper box is checked and entered into SCOMIS. In 2012, 13% of all cases in WA were found non-compliant because no code was entered. Be sure to check the box!

Together we can make a difference! Thanks for taking the time to watch this Dependency Brief. This presentation is sponsored by the Court Improvement Training Academy at the University of Washington School of Law through a U.S. Health and Human Services, Children’s Administration Court Improvement Training Grant administered by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts. If you have questions or comments, please Tim Jaaskofisher at Together we can make a difference! Thanks for taking the time to watch this Dependency Brief. This presentation is sponsored by the Court Improvement Training Academy at the University of Washington School of Law through a U.S. Health and Human Services, Children’s Administration Court Improvement Training Grant administered by the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts. If you have questions or comments, please Tim Jaaskofisher at