November 22, 2021
Licensed Caregiver Flu Shot Verification Practice Change

house and a heart


September 14, 2021
September is Kinship Care Month

house and a heart


September 14, 2021
Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week

house and a heart


September 14, 2021
Child Welfare Worker Shout Out from Adoptive Parents


September 14, 2021
Annual Flu Shot Reminder

flu shot


September 14, 2021
Targeted Recruitment Specialist Hosting Events Near You

booth


September 14, 2021
DCYF Recruitment and Retention Efforts Underway

booth


September 14, 2021
Possible Scam Calls Targeting Caregivers

caution sign


September 14, 2021
CaRES Drop-In Discussion: Walking Through Grief

group of people having a discussion


July 30, 2021
HB 1194 Impacts on Family Time Visitation

house and a heart


July 30, 2021
Back-to-School Donation Drive for Foster Youth

school supplies


July 30, 2021
Adoption Consortium Connects Foster Youth with Adoptive Families

adoption


July 30, 2021
COVID-19 Funds Available for Alumni Foster Youth

group of teens sitting outside


July 30, 2021
Thank You, Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers of Washington

group of teens sitting outside


July 30, 2021
DCYF’s Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Program Announces Campaign

group of teens sitting outside


July 30, 2021
Caregiver Recruitment Team Requesting Community Feedback

raised hand


June 1, 2021
June 2021 Caregiver Trainings

raised hand


May 3, 2021
May 2021 Caregiver Trainings

man at laptop


May 3, 2021
FEMA Provides Assistance for COVID-19-Related Funerals

man at laptop


May 3, 2021
Alliance Trainings Provide Certificates of Completion

man at laptop


May 3, 2021
Caregiver Survey: We Want to Hear from You

man at laptop


April 1, 2021
April 2021 Caregiver Trainings

raised hand


April 1, 2021
COVID-19 Related Travel Guidance for Caregivers

childs drawing


April 1, 2021
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Order Your Pinwheels

childs drawing


March 11, 2021
Building Lasting Relationships for Youth and Families

childs drawing


March 11, 2021
18th Annual Voices of Children Contest for Youth and Kinship Caregivers

childs drawing


February 26, 2021
Caregiver Community Virtual Launch Event

virtual events


February 26, 2021
Coordinated Care Offers Families Access to Health Care Services

coordinated care logo


February 26, 2021
March 2021 Caregiver Trainings

coordinated care logo


February 22, 2021
Extended Foster Care Eligibility Update

youth wearing face masks


February 17, 2021
DCYF Joins Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence to Launch Caregiver Support Program

hands holding house


February 17, 2021
Dad Overcomes Obstacles, Children Returned to His Care

incarcerated father


February 17, 2021
2020 Tax Season and Information for Caregivers

teens sitting outside


February 16, 2021
CARES Act Funding for Youth in Foster Care

teens sitting outside


February 4, 2021
Online Support Group for Caregivers

coordinated care logo


January 25, 2021
Improving Stability for Youth Exiting Care

key in door knob


January 25, 2021
DCYF Program Addresses Disproportionality

man teaching kids


January 25, 2021
Permanency Found in Biological Father

father and son


January 25, 2021
Child Welfare Housing Assistance Pilot Program

yellow paper house


January 13, 2020
DCYF Provides Grants to Caregivers

grant


December 22, 2020
Licensing Restructure Update

hanging lightbulbs


December 9, 2020
Resources to Support Families and Prevent Child Abuse

kids laying on their backs in a circle


December 2, 2020
Meet DCYF’s Targeted Recruitment Specialists


November 30, 2020
Recognize an Unsung Hero for Parent Recognition Month

cartoon


November 30, 2020
DCYF Celebrates National Adoption Day

adoption


 

November 30, 2020
DCYF's Response to New COVID-19 Restrictions

adoption


November 10, 2020
November is National Adoption Month

adoption


November 3, 2020
Free, Virtual Webinar for Kinship Caregivers

blocks


November 3, 2020
Cash Grants Available for Current and Former Foster Youth

piggy bank


November 3, 2020
Free Preschool Available to Qualified Families

blocks


November 3, 2020
Spokane Non-Profit Donates Birthday Cakes to Foster Youth

cake


October 21, 2020
Resources for Financial Aid Help

financial aid


October 21, 2020
K–12 Internet Access Program Available to Families

child on computer


October 20, 2020
Social Media Policies for Caregivers

social media


October 15, 2020
Child Care Options for Foster Youth During Pandemic

child care


October 15, 2020
Upcoming Forum to Feature DCYF Secretary

happy kids


October 8, 2020
Extended Foster Care Eviction and Rent Assistance

jar of money


September 28, 2020
Additional COVID-19 Relief Funds for Child Care Stabilization

children playing with cups


September 23, 2020
Toy Giveaway for all Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Families

stuffed animals


September 16, 2020
Wildfires and Air Quality Safety

girl with mask


September 8, 2020
Licensed Foster Parents - It’s Flu Season!

road sign


September 3, 2020
Foster Youth and Hotel Stays

Shawn holding infant in water


August 27, 2020
Shawn Finds His Forever Family

Shawn holding infant in water


August 27, 2020
Coordinated Care provides Telehealth 24/7

coordinated care logo


August 19, 2020
Washington Listens: No Insurance, No Fees, Just Support

diverse stacking hands


August 18, 2020
Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens

youth with adult


August 13, 2020
Back to School Guidance for Caregivers

boy in nature


August 7, 2020
CPR/First Aid Training Online

boy in nature


July 29, 2020
Miguel’s Journey to Adoption

boy in nature


July 22, 2020
Washington State Park Passes and Exemptions for Foster and Kinship Caregivers

boy in nature


July 16, 2020
Find Answers to Health-Related Questions

young girl with doctor


July 15, 2020
2019 Caregiver Survey Results

yellow report


July 7, 2020
Let’s Get Outside!

teens jumping


June 25, 2020
Caregiver Survey: We Want to Hear From You

child eating apple


June 23, 2020
Celebrating Adoptions in Spokane

child eating apple


June 19, 2020
Get Help Buying Groceries While Schools are Closed

child eating apple


June 4, 2020
Siblings Adopted by Out-of-State Family Members

family


June 2, 2020
COVID-19 Parent and Caretaker Resources

family


May 28, 2020
Foster Parents Recognized for Collaboration with Parents

family


May 15, 2020
May is Foster Care Month

family


May 15, 2020
Thanking Our Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers

family


May 14, 2020
Drive-In Wi-Fi Hotspots Available Statewide

family


May 6, 2020
Foster Youth Recognized in Drive-By Celebration

family


May 6, 2020
COVID-19 Resource Guide for Washington State Parents and Caregivers

family


May 6, 2020
Washington Trafficking Prevention Training

family


May 6, 2020
Applied Behavior Analysis Training Available

family


April 27, 2020
Cash and Food Benefits

family


April 27, 2020
Parent, Caregiver Virtual Forum

family


April 27, 2020
Foster Care Liaisons Available

family


April 27, 2020
FPAWS Caregiver Conference Rescheduled

family


March 31, 2020
Advice to the Caregiver Community about Distance Learning

family


March 31, 2020
Fun Tips and Activities for Children and Families

family


March 31, 2020
Talking with Children About COVID-19

family


March 24, 2020
‘We Are Family Day’ Event Postponed

family


March 18, 2020
COVID-19 Fact Sheet for Grandfamilies and Multigenerational Families

family


March 18, 2020
Treehouse Offers Driver’s Assistance for Foster Youth

teen driving


March 17, 2020
Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19

virus


March 17, 2020
Schools Closed Through April 24 in Washington State

schools closed


March 17, 2020
How Are Caseworkers Trained?

training


March 6, 2020
Coronavirus - COVID-19 Updates

virus


March 3, 2020
March is National Social Work Month

empty plate


March 3, 2020
Puyallup Foster Parent Praises Caseworker’s Passion

empty plate


February 27, 2020
Training: Addressing Eating Disorders

empty plate


February 27, 2020
Safe Kids Day

safety letters held up by hands


February 27, 2020
Camp to Belong Washington Now Accepting Applications

Ross Hunter with foster youth


February 25, 2020
Seattle Mariners We Are Family Day Tickets Go On Sale

mariners


February 25, 2020
Permanency From Day One Grant Update

feedback written on chalkboard


February 25, 2020
Everett Caseworker Nominated for Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year

feedback written on chalkboard


February 25, 2020
Registration is Now Open for Children’s Justice Conference

feedback written on chalkboard


February 18, 2020
Caregiver Survey: We Want to Hear From You

feedback written on chalkboard


February 18, 2020
17th Annual Voices of Children Contest

girl drawing


February 11, 2020
Changes to Public Charge Take Effect Feb. 24

house silhouette


February 11, 2020
Changes to Child Welfare Policies and WAC Took Effect Feb. 1

policy update


February 6, 2020
Virtual Medical Care Now Available for AHCC-Enrolled Children and Youth

seattle caseworker


January 23, 2020
Seattle Caseworker Recognized

seattle caseworker


January 23, 2020
Pinwheels for Prevention

child with gift


January 23, 2020
Non-Profit Offers Free Birthday Parties for Foster Youth

child with gift


January 17, 2020
2019 Tax Season and Information for Caregivers

child with gift


January 14, 2020
Caseworker Travels the ‘Extra Mile’ for Client

child with gift


January 14, 2020
Secretary Hunter Ushers DCYF Into the New Year

child with gift


December 30, 2019
Washington Car Seat Laws Changing

child with gift


December 30, 2019
Region 6 Hosts Foster Family Holiday Party

child with gift


December 30, 2019
Region 2 Staff Recognized for Their Hard Work

child with gift


December 30, 2019
Recognize an Unsung Hero for Parent Recognition Month

child with gift


December 23, 2019
Seeking a Foster Youth to Throw First Pitch at Mariners’ We Are Family Day!

child with gift


November 27, 2019
DCYF, WA Courts Celebrate National Adoption Day

child with gift


November 19, 2019
2019 Adoption Day Celebrations

hand holding home


November 12, 2019
Building the case for accepting and supporting LGBTQ+ children and youth in the child welfare and foster parent community

hand holding home


November 12, 2019
November is Native American Heritage Month

native children


November 5, 2019
Adoption Training and Support Available

adoption training


November 5, 2019
November is National Adoption Month

adoption month


October 31, 2019
Halloween Candy: Your Dental Health Survival Guide

Halloween Candy


October 8, 2019
Prevent the Flu This Season

Flu Season


October 8, 2019
DCYF Staff Attend Mockingbird Society Youth Leadership Summit

Mockingbird


September 24, 2019
Everett Office Scores 100 Percent During Recent Case Review

Everett office


September 17, 2019
Medical Coverage for Children in Our Care Will Not Be Terminated

medical


September 20, 2016
Creating Washington's Next Statewide Early Learning Strategic Plan
DCYF is working with communities across the state to gather and summarize existing information, data and experiences to create a statewide early learning needs assessment.


September 17, 2019
Kinship Caregivers, We’re Here For You!

caregivers


September 17, 2019
Medical Coverage for Children in Our Care Will Not Be Terminated

medical


September 10, 2019
Message from Secretary Hunter on Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention

Foster Care Picnic


September 4, 2019
Tumwater Office Hosts Back to School Event for Foster Families

Foster Care Picnic


September 4, 2019
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage

Hispanic family


August 13, 2019
Walla Walla Social Worker Recognized for Work Ethic, Teamwork

katie


August 13, 2019
Sign Up for Earthquake, Wildfire and Weather Alerts

hand holding cell phone


August 13, 2019

Tips to Prevent Skin Cancer

childs hands with bottles of sunscreen


August 13, 2019

Immunizations, Check-Ups and Sports Physicals

teen getting a shot


August 1, 2019

Juvenile Rehabilitation, Office of Juvenile Justice and the Child Care Subsidy Program Joins DCYF July 1

capital.jpg


August 1, 2019

Secretary Hunter Attends the 2019 Camp to Belong Washington

camp-hunter.jpg


May 2, 2019

Licensing Division is currently conducting a field test regarding licensing forms. If you live in the following areas, please contact your local Licensing Division regional contact to obtain the correct forms:


April 5, 2019
Family First Legislation and the Model Licensing Standards for Foster Family Homes Webinar
Licensing Division held a webinar to provide information on the final national model licensing standards that were released by the Children’s Bureau on February 4, 2019. States were required to submit a formal response by March 31, 2019. LD’s response included information on Washington state’s current licensing standards and whether or not they are consistent with the model licensing standards. Also, the response included information on when LD waives non-safety licensing standards for relative foster family homes, how caseworkers are trained to use the waiver authority, and the process in waiving theses non-safety standards. The Webinar details the national model licensing standards, Washington state’s areas for deviation, and the proposed alignment plan to address the deviations.

View the Webinar | FFPSA Alignment Plan | FFPSA National Model Standards


September 7, 2018
Caregiver Core Training (CCT) is now available online!
DCYF heard your request for more flexible trainings and we responded with the NEW online CCT. Foster care applicants are required to complete CCT prior to becoming licensed and we’ve taken the last several months to take the in-person CCT and convert that to an online training. Kudos to the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence and the Licensing Division for all of their work on this. This training allows foster parent applicants a flexible training that will move at their own pace. Applicants must complete the whole online training within 12 months of them starting it.

For those that prefer an in-person CCT, we still offer that as well.

Go to the CCT in-person or online training


August 20, 2018
Family First Legislation and the Proposed Foster Home Licensing Standards
You are invited to attend a Webinar on the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) proposed Foster Home Model Licensing Standards. We are holding two Webinars, covering the same material. Read more


July 5, 2018
As of July 1, 2018 there are NEW WACs for Foster Parents, Group Care Facilities, and Child Placing Agencies and Adoption Services. The title for the WACs changed from “388” to “110” as part of the transition from DSHS to DCYF, but the chapters and sections will remain the same. For example, 388-148-1305 is now 110-148-1305. The WAC changes that went into effect on June 23, 2018 are also included in the new WAC books. View and print the new WAC books

Please note the forms and publications will be changed to the new WAC numbers over the next couple of months, but until those changes are made the old forms will be accepted. Thank you for your patience!


July 2, 2018
Foster Parent Rights and Responsibilities
New legislation in RCW 43.216.015 required the Department of Children, Youth and Families to create and annually update a list of Foster Parent Rights and Responsibilities that became effective July 1, 2018. 

This information will now be handed out at all foster parent orientation trainings, at the time of licensure and renewal, and it will remain posted on the DCYF website. We want to thank the foster parent community, Children’s Administration staff, Tribal partners, child placing agencies, the Assistant Attorney General’s office, and DCYF Leadership in who collaborated to build this document in support of Washington’s foster parents.


March 28, 2018
Public Comment Open for WAC changes Notification of DLR WAC CR-102 Filing
Children’s Administration filed the required documents on March 20, 2018 regarding proposed Washington Administrative Code (WAC) language changes. The proposed changes will affect the Division of Licensed Resources minimum licensing requirements for:

  • WAC 388-148 for Child Foster Homes, and
  • WAC 388-145 for Group Care Facilities, and
  • WAC 388-147 for Child Placing Agencies and Adoption Services.