About Us

Department of Children, Youth, and Families

Who We Are

DCYF is a state agency focused on the well-being of children, youth, and families. Our vision is that "Washington state’s children and youth grow up safe and healthy—thriving physically, emotionally and academically, nurtured by family and community."

Our guiding principles:

  • A relentless focus on outcomes for children;
  • A commitment to collaboration and transparency;
  • A commitment to using data to inform and evaluate reforms, leveraging and aligning existing services with desired child outcomes;
  • A focus on supporting staff as they contribute to the agency’s goals and outcomes.

What We Do

DCYF leads state-funded services that help children and families build resilience, improve health, and succeed in school.

We work with state and local partners, Tribes, and community organizations across Washington to support families when they need it most and to give them the tools to thrive.
Research shows that a strong start early in life builds the foundation for healthy development. It also shows that addressing trauma—especially during key transitions—helps youth succeed as they move into adulthood.

To give every child the best start possible, DCYF was created as a comprehensive agency dedicated to the social, emotional, and physical well-being of children, youth, and families. We focus on early learning, prevention, and early intervention from birth through adolescence.

For more information, visit DCYF's YouTube Channel and subscribe for updates.

History

DCYF brings together several services that were previously part of the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) and the Department of Early Learning (DEL).
These include:

  • Child Protective Services investigations and Family Assessment Response
  • Licensed foster care and adoption support
  • Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) for preschoolers
  • Working Connections Child Care
  • Home Visiting programs

Since July 2019, DCYF has also managed programs from the Juvenile Rehabilitation division and the Office of Juvenile Justice in DSHS, including:

  • Juvenile rehabilitation institutions
  • Community facilities
  • Parole services

Governor Jay Inslee created DCYF by signing House Bill 1661 on July 6, 2017. The goal was to improve how the state supports at-risk children and youth and to create better outcomes across Washington. The new agency was based on recommendations from the bipartisan Blue-Ribbon Commission on the Delivery of Services to Children and Families, formed in 2016 to build a system focused on prevention and positive outcomes.