DCYF demonstrates WA Compass dispute steps; supervisors to contact providers as part of review
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Summary
DCYF staff demonstrated how providers can file disputes for licensing inspection reports in WA Compass. Licensing supervisors will be directed to contact providers during review and internal reviews will continue when supervisors uphold licensor findings.
DCYF walked providers through the WA Compass provider portal dispute workflow and said the department will direct supervisors to contact providers when reviewing dispute requests, expanding an expected in-person or direct-contact step for disputed inspection items.
Why it matters: providers said they sometimes lack time or information to correct or dispute licensing citations; DCYF officials said improved, consistent communication and system updates will reduce confusion and make dispute outcomes clearer.
What DCYF showed: Michelle Santilo, WA Compass product owner, demonstrated the provider portal. She showed that providers receive an email with the inspection report, can log into the provider portal (Chrome recommended), and must file any dispute within 10 business days of the email. Items categorized as "technical assistance" or "time forgiveness" appear separately on the report and are not disputable in the portal, because they are not reported on the public childcare-check site.
"If there is an item that you wish to dispute, you check the dispute box and you can now enter your reason," Michelle demonstrated, noting providers can also email supporting documents to their licensor to be included with the dispute packet.
Review process and supervisor contact: when a provider submits a dispute, the licensor reviews and forwards the request to a supervisor. Debbie Grama, DCYF childcare deputy senior administrator, said supervisors are being directed to contact the provider once they receive a dispute. "We are shifting on that. We are saying that they must contact the provider," Grama said, adding the contact may be by phone, email or an on-site visit. DCYF said it is emphasizing visits when a provider wants to show a physical change or clarification.
If the supervisor upholds the licensor, the dispute is automatically routed to DCYF's internal review committee. Providers may opt out of a dispute at any time through the provider portal; opting out withdraws the dispute and accepts the current status of the noncompliance.
System updates and timing: Michelle said WA Compass developers are working on a one-to-one mapping between observations and WAC citations to eliminate duplicate or repeated listings on inspection reports; that change is expected to be implemented by the start of the next fiscal year to avoid disrupting current staff workflows.
Guidance for providers: use the WA Compass provider portal login link (bookmarked in the chat), check emails for inspection reports promptly, note the 10-business-day dispute window, attach supporting documentation to the licensor if needed, and use the provider portal help tip sheets (available in multiple languages).
Ending: DCYF said it will add the requirement that supervisors reach out to providers into policy language and will continue to refine the WA Compass experience, then report progress at future provider support meetings.
