Child Welfare

A total of 11 DCYF-reviewable critical incidents were reported in the second quarter of 2026.

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has released its latest critical incident data, which shows a continued decline in the number of child fatalities and near fatalities compared to the previous year.

A total of 7 critical incidents were reported in the first quarter of 2026.

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) released the latest critical incident data that shows a 63% decrease in child fatalities and near fatalities for those families that had previous child welfare involvement.

One hundred and seventy-three youth in foster care across Washington state were amongst this year’s graduating class who obtained their high school diploma or GED.  

Fostering was not part of the Agor family plan. But when Carin Agor met Cheyanne and heard that she was entering foster care, her husband and their three children welcomed Cheyanne and her sister into their home. 

For the past 10 years, Coordinated Care has partnered with the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) to ensure that children and youth in foster care have access to reliable health care.

Positive Indian Parenting (PIP) is a program for parents involved in the child welfare system that honors traditional Indigenous ways of raising children.  

Olympia, WA — A 12-year-old member of the Suquamish Tribe will be showing off her softball skills at the May 3 Mariners game where she will throw the ceremonial first pitch as part of an annual event during Foster Care Month.

View or download the full digital media kit. 

Over the course of several decades, Dr. Joel Odimba has had every job you can imagine in the child welfare space. This June he will retire after more than 30 years of public service to the state of Washington. Odimba has not only changed the lives of the families he partnered with but left his mark on the child welfare system as a whole.

Thanks to nominations from across the state, DCYF and Seattle’s Child recognized 28 parents, caregivers, and community members for Parent Recognition month this past February. All of the honorees were celebrated again as 140 Washingtonians gathered for the Unsung Hero Event on Feb. 26, 2026.