Within the limits of available financial resources, the department provides placement services to children according to the following ordered priorities:

1. (1) The department must place children who urgently need protection from child abuse or neglect (CA/N) if the department has legal authority for placement consistent with WAC 388-25-0025.
2. (2) The department may place children whose mental, emotional, behavioral or physical needs present a risk to their safety and resources do not exist within the family to provide for those needs.

[WSR 18-14-078, recodified as § 110-50-0010, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.13.031. WSR 01-08-047, § 388-25-0015, filed 3/30/01, effective 4/30/01.]