May 23, 2019 Update:

There’s a new Muppet in town and her name is Karli!

Sesame Street introduced the character — a young Muppet in foster care — on Monday as part of a new initiative that offers support to children, foster parents and providers who serve foster families.

Unbeknownst to her, Janet Watkins, a CPS investigator working out of the Benton County Sherriff’s Office, walked into a room full of people ready to recognize her commitment to safety, permanency and well-being of children and families.

Janet received the Rosie Oreskovich award during this year’s Children’s Justice Conference in Seattle.

On May 3, the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) hosted a webinar about state and local emergency alert systems for early learning providers and foster parents. The recorded webinar is available online: Emergency Alert Systems Webinar.