While social workers should always be celebrated for the difficult and critical work they do, March is Social Work Month, a special time to share gratitude. The theme for this year’s national celebration is “Compassion + Action.”
Ever since she was a teenager, Lydia Gleason knew that she wanted to adopt. In January 2025, she and her husband Nick welcomed siblings (two brothers) into their growing family.
Like most adoptive parents in Washington, the Gleason’s adoption journey began as foster parents nearly four years ago.
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) joins MENTOR Washington in celebrating the 150 organizations that provide mentorship opportunities for children and youth across the state, as part of National Mentoring Month.
After nearly 2.5 years in foster care, Logan said yes to his forever family during a National Adoption Day celebration at Yakima County Superior Court.
Dozens of children and youth will be adopted in ceremonies across Washington Nov. 21-23 as the state joins the nation to celebrate Adoption Day.
Every year, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) joins the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) in celebrating Adoption Day to raise awareness around the continued need for adoptive families.
DCYF is currently accepting nominations for outstanding parents, grandparents, kinship caregivers, foster parents, and community members, providing direct care to children, as part of its annual Unsung Hero Awards.
For the past 13 years, DCYF has recognized caregivers who exemplify one or more of the five protective factors known to help reduce child abuse and neglect:
More than half of the children and youth in foster care are being placed with relatives in Washington State as the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) continues to embrace a kin-first culture.
The number of children in out-of-home care is now only about half of what it was when the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) was created.
There are now 4,971 children and youth in out-of-home care in Washington State. This is the lowest it’s been since the 80s and a sharp contrast from the 9,171 it was in 2018.
Foster youth turning 18 will now receive services through the age of 21 thanks to a new law that went into effect on June 6, which eliminates requirements, allowing for more youth to receive critical assistance regardless of their future plans.
