In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1227 — the Keeping Families Together Act. The intent of the act was to safely reduce the number of children placed into foster care, reduce racial disproportionality in the child welfare system, and support relatives to take care of children when they must be placed out of home in order to protect their safety.
Since taking effect in July 2023, DCYF has been closely monitoring the implementation of HB 1227. Current data shows an overall 9.6% decrease in children entering foster care this July – November compared to the same time frame in 2022. Data and analysis of the new law's impact on child safety do not support claims that the bill has led to the 44% increase in child fatalities and near fatalities.
“It is important to note the increase in child fatalities and near fatalities in Washington state is not being driven by the change in removal standards under HB 1227 or the reduction in the number of children in foster care,” said DCYF Secretary Ross Hunter. “It is being driven by the increased availability of a highly addictive and hazardous drug combined with a lack of SUD treatment in our communities.”
DCYF shares community concerns about the lethality of fentanyl and the dangers that parental use presents in child welfare cases, not just in Washington state but nationwide. This is why DCYF supported the passage of Senate Bill 6109 which clarified the need for courts to give great weight to the lethality of fentanyl and public health guidance on this dangerous drug.
“We believe Senate Bill 6109 is having its intended effect of supporting caseworkers and judicial officers to assess child safety when a parent’s use of fentanyl is a factor in the case,” said Natalie Green, Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare. “We don’t support making additional changes to removal standards this Legislative session. Having statutory removal standards change every year is not helpful to our staff, courts, families, and attorneys. What we do need is more access to SUD treatment for families, improved access to detox services, and medications for opioid use disorder.”
Harm Reduction Kits are just one of the many tools child welfare staff use to keep families who struggle with substance use disorder safe. They were initially developed to meet parents and families where they are and provide immediate resources during face-to-face interactions. Highly potent synthetic opioids (HPSOs) are dangerous substances, but the biggest risk to children is accidentally ingesting the substance directly or putting the drug paraphernalia into their mouths. While these kits are not a substitute for safety planning, they serve as a critical tool to reduce the harmful effects of HPSOs, providing an opportunity for those in the household to lock up potentially harmful substances.
Each kit includes essential items, such as a lock box, fentanyl testing strips, naloxone, and educational materials to raise awareness about the dangers of synthetic opioids. By offering these resources, DCYF aims to reduce risk factors and create opportunities for families to access the support they need.
The harm reduction kits are also adaptable, allowing for the inclusion of additional resources that address other challenges impacting families. This flexibility encourages parents to engage with their community and seek further assistance as needed.
As of November 13, 2024, more than 23,000 doses of Naloxone have been distributed since the Harm Reduction Kit initiative began, with 753 doses successfully reversing overdoses and saving lives.
There are only five programs in Washington that provide residential substance use disorder treatment for pregnant and parenting individuals and their children with the capacity to serve only 121 clients. The statewide need for these programs is far greater.
“We hope to continue to partner with the Legislature, courts, treatment providers, communities, families, and foster parents to ensure that children can remain safe with their parents whenever possible and access the substance use disorder (SUD) resources they need,” said Hunter.