Olympia —The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is celebrating Parenting Recognition Month by joining with Seattle’s Child magazine to honor extraordinary parents, caregivers, guardians, and community members in Washington through the Unsung Heroes campaign. DCYF’S Strengthening Families team will host an Unsung Heroes Awards Ceremony to honor this year’s nominees on Monday, February 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Capital Event Center in Tumwater.

The ceremony will recognize 28 individuals or couples – one for each day in February.  The DCYF leadership will feature welcome and thank you messages and present the Unsung Hero Awards. The Unsung Hero Awards shines a light onto the hard work of Washington state parents, primary caregivers or guardians who demonstrate tremendous leadership, compassion for their family and community. Their work help shapes the lives of communities and can direct programs and policies that impact them. Entries for the 2019 Unsung Hero Awards have now closed; keep checking our social media pages to read about each of the nominees.

Governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation recognizing February as Parenting Recognition Month. To continue making the Unsung Hero Awards a success, the Strengthening Families team relies on the support of volunteers. Individuals interested in volunteering or would like to donate a high chair for the evening, please contact Strengthening Families Washington at strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.