In 2020, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) administered more than $60 million in grants to child care providers to help stabilize the industry and provide access to care for children and families.

In May, the agency provided $30 million in grant funding and incentives and administered a second round of grants and incentives in November.

Through the Fall Child Care COVID-19 Grant, DCYF provided critical funds to more than 3,000 licensed child care providers in response to increased costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

DCYF recognizes that caring for children experiencing foster care comes with costs. To that end, DCYF is distributing a one-time grant to many caregivers and placement providers to offset expenses associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

DCYF recognizes that this is a difficult time for everyone, especially caregivers, and we hope that these grants provide some support for you and your family. These funds will be issued no later than Jan. 15, 2021. No action is necessary for caregivers to access these funds.  

The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) offers support in several programs to provide housing vouchers to eligible young people in our care. We work with a variety of partners to ensure that these youth experience supported transitions into safe, stable, and appropriate housing when they leave our care. As part of this, DCYF's Adolescent Programs division is rolling out a new housing program.

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.