(1) Chapter 26.44 RCW authorizes the department to investigate allegations of child abuse or neglect (CA/N) and to determine if allegations are founded or unfounded as defined in RCW 26.44.020. Prior to the creation of the department, these determinations were made by the department of social and health services, children's administration.

(2) RCW 74.13.720 directs the department to establish a process that allows the secretary to issue a certificate of parental improvement to an individual who is the subject of a founded finding of CA/N or a court determination that the individual's child was dependent as a result of a finding that the individual abused or neglected their child.