Child Welfare

Register today for the 29th Children’s Justice Conference (CJC), hosted at the Spokane Convention Center on April 22 and 23.  

The Children’s Justice Conference (CJC) is the largest child welfare-related conference in the Pacific Northwest and will be celebrating its 29th year this April 22 and 23 at the Spokane Convention Center.

Foster parents and kinship caregivers may be eligible to claim a tax deduction on certain foster care payments for children who have been placed in their care for more than half of the tax year.

Exceptions apply for a foster child who was born within the tax year; caregivers will need to check with their tax advisor for assistance in claiming these potential deductions.

Jan. 4, 2024 — Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which became a member of The National Partnership for Child Safety (NPCS) in 2021, today released its year-end updates on the work of the NPCS, a quality improvement collaborative with a mission to improve child safety and prevent child maltreatment fatalities.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2024, patients, students, and families with loved ones at behavioral health facilities, residential private schools, and host homes can now report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).

Dear Director Dowd,

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families has launched two newsletters, each focused on providing resources and information for families across the state.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Brackeen v.

Jesse Sadler took all the steps necessary to transform his life and regain custody of his daughter; he engaged in therapy, secured housing, participated in parenting classes, and attended a Substance Use Disorder treatment.

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families published a report with recommendations and research findings on creating a kin-first culture in Washington State.