Media

Extended Foster Care Rent Assistance Update

February 2, 2021

Olympia, WA — In August 2020, the Washington State Department of Commerce: Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) allocated $1 million in CARES Act funding to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to provide stipends to young adults who aged out of Extended Foster Care at age 21, between March 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020.

DCYF Celebrates Parent Recognition Month and Recognizes Unsung Heroes in Washington State

February 1, 2021

Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is celebrating Parent Recognition Month. DCYF, along with Seattle’s Child magazine, plans to honor extraordinary parents, caregivers, guardians, and community members at this year’s virtual Unsung Heroes ceremony.

Washington State’s Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program Helps Children and Families

January 25, 2021

Olympia, WA — The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) oversees the Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), which is the state’s pre-kindergarten program that prepares children and families for success in school and life. At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Gov. Jay Inslee designated ECEAP services as essential.

DCYF Program Addresses Disproportionality

January 13, 2021

Olympia, WA — Individuals with a founded finding of child abuse or neglect made by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) or a Washington State court may now apply to work in an assisted living facility or nursing home, provide long-term care services, or seek unsupervised access under a DCYF program such as child care or foster care.

DCYF Statement on V.O. Settlement

December 9, 2020

Olympia— The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) settled a lawsuit brought by a young woman who alleged that former Children’s Administration failed to protect her from maltreatment. Originally filed as a $50 million tort claim, the suit settled for $2 million.

Celebrating 45 Years of Special Education

December 3, 2020

Olympia – The Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) and the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) are pleased to join together to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Fall Child Care COVID-19 Grant Now Available

November 5, 2020

Olympia – Today, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) announces the Fall Child Care COVID-19 Grant for licensed child care providers. The grant will help child care providers offset increased costs associated with the pandemic and incentivize providers to serve school-age children.

Statement on Out-of-State Youth

October 20, 2020

Olympia – In 2018, Disability Rights Washington released its recommendations to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) after conducting a case study of out-of-state youth. DCYF took immediate action to assess youth safety and deployed teams of executive and social work staff to visit every Washington youth placed in any out-of-state facility.

Children's Bureau Approves DCYF's Prevention Plan

October 2, 2020

Olympia – The federal Children’s Bureau approved the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Family First Prevention Plan Thursday. Washington becomes the eighth state in the nation to have their plan approved.

DCYF Announces Additional COVID-19 Relief Funds for Child Care Stabilization

September 25, 2020

Olympia — Today, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) announces a second round of child care funding to help strengthen the existing child care market for working families and providers. The Governor and Legislature approved over $70 million for the child care industry to address the ongoing economic impacts of COVID-19. These additional relief funds build on the investments made in the Spring.