Host home programs provide support to individual host homes, private homes that volunteer to host youth (under age 18) in need of temporary housing who are not in the care or receiving services from the Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).
Host home programs must be tax exempt organizations and meet the following requirements, see RCW 74.15.020 for complete details:
- Recruit and screen potential host homes, including performing background checks on household members over the age of 18 and physical inspections of the home
- Screen and provide case management services to youth in the program.
- Obtain a notarized permission slip or limited power of attorney from youth's parent or legal guardian every six months, unless there is a compelling reason not to
- Obtain insurance for the program through an insurance provider authorized under Title 48 RCW
- Provide mandatory reporter and confidentiality training
- Register with the secretary of state under RCW 74.15.315
If serving youth who are seeking or receiving protected healthcare services, case management must occur outside the host home and away from household members at least once per month. DCYF notification may also replace parent or legal guardian permission, see RCW 13.32A.082 for notification requirements when providing shelter to minors.
Host Home Resources
For more information on operating host home programs, see Washington Host Home Coalition Best Practices (2019) and Point Source Youth Host Homes Handbook (2024). Please note that regulations may have changed over time or differ in other states.