Licensees must:

(1) Meet the staffing ratios in this section unless:

(a) Their contract for services requires a more stringent staffing ratio for the health, safety, and well-being of the children, youth, and personnel;

(b) The department requires a more stringent staffing ratio, per WAC 110-145-2830; or

(c) Licensed:

(i) CRCs, follow the requirements in WAC 110-145-3210; or

(ii) GRCs, also follow the minimum staffing requirements in WAC 110-145-3320;

(2) Have an identified individual that meets direct care staff or direct care volunteer qualifications on-call at all times and available to:

(a) Respond to the facility by phone within 15 minutes; and

(b) Report on-site to the facility as soon as possible, but no later than one hour;

(3) Have at least one of the following either on-site or on-call and able to respond to the facility by phone within 15 minutes:

(a) An executive director;

(b) Program manager;

(c) Care coordinator; or

(d) An individual employed by the licensee in one of those roles at another GCF;

(4) Have at least one care coordinator for every 18 children or youth in care, except those who operate interim facilities; and

(5) Provide staff as follows, unless they are licensed as CRCs:

(a) Maintain a staffing ratio of at least one direct care staff or direct care volunteer on duty for every eight:

(i) Children and youth in care; or

(ii) Parenting youth in programs that serve pregnant and parenting youth; and

(b) Have at least one direct care staff or direct care volunteer on duty during sleeping hours when children or youth are present. They must be awake and alert, except in facilities where the focus of the program is on developing independent living skills as outlined in RCW 74.13.540.