Read the full February Secretary Newsletter. 

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.

In August 2020, the Washington State Department of Commerce: Office of Homeless Youth (OHY) allocated $1 million in CARES Act funding to 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. The purpose of the funding was to support housing stability for these youth during the COVID-19 crisis.

Parenting can come with its challenges. Rewarding and joyful, but also difficult at times. This past year, parents and primary caregivers have been called upon more than ever to be the buffer for the traumatic experiences our world has faced.