November 22, 2021
Licensed Caregiver Flu Shot Verification Practice Change
September 14, 2021
September is Kinship Care Month
September 14, 2021
Child Welfare Worker Appreciation Week
September 14, 2021
Child Welfare Worker Shout Out from Adoptive Parents
September 14, 2021
Annual Flu Shot Reminder
September 14, 2021
Targeted Recruitment Specialist Hosting Events Near You
September 14, 2021
DCYF Recruitment and Retention Efforts Underway
September 14, 2021
Possible Scam Calls Targeting Caregivers
September 14, 2021
CaRES Drop-In Discussion: Walking Through Grief
July 30, 2021
HB 1194 Impacts on Family Time Visitation
July 30, 2021
Back-to-School Donation Drive for Foster Youth
July 30, 2021
Adoption Consortium Connects Foster Youth with Adoptive Families
July 30, 2021
COVID-19 Funds Available for Alumni Foster Youth
July 30, 2021
Thank You, Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers of Washington
July 30, 2021
DCYF’s Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Program Announces Campaign
July 30, 2021
Caregiver Recruitment Team Requesting Community Feedback
June 1, 2021
June 2021 Caregiver Trainings
May 3, 2021
May 2021 Caregiver Trainings
May 3, 2021
FEMA Provides Assistance for COVID-19-Related Funerals
May 3, 2021
Alliance Trainings Provide Certificates of Completion
May 3, 2021
Caregiver Survey: We Want to Hear from You
April 1, 2021
April 2021 Caregiver Trainings
April 1, 2021
COVID-19 Related Travel Guidance for Caregivers
April 1, 2021
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month: Order Your Pinwheels
March 11, 2021
Building Lasting Relationships for Youth and Families
March 11, 2021
18th Annual Voices of Children Contest for Youth and Kinship Caregivers
February 26, 2021
Caregiver Community Virtual Launch Event
February 26, 2021
Coordinated Care Offers Families Access to Health Care Services
February 26, 2021
March 2021 Caregiver Trainings
February 22, 2021
Extended Foster Care Eligibility Update
February 17, 2021
DCYF Joins Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence to Launch Caregiver Support Program
February 17, 2021
Dad Overcomes Obstacles, Children Returned to His Care
February 17, 2021
2020 Tax Season and Information for Caregivers
February 16, 2021
CARES Act Funding for Youth in Foster Care
February 4, 2021
Online Support Group for Caregivers
January 25, 2021
Improving Stability for Youth Exiting Care
January 25, 2021
DCYF Program Addresses Disproportionality
January 25, 2021
Permanency Found in Biological Father
January 25, 2021
Child Welfare Housing Assistance Pilot Program
January 13, 2020
DCYF Provides Grants to Caregivers
December 22, 2020
Licensing Restructure Update
December 9, 2020
Resources to Support Families and Prevent Child Abuse
December 2, 2020
Meet DCYF’s Targeted Recruitment Specialists
November 30, 2020
Recognize an Unsung Hero for Parent Recognition Month
November 30, 2020
DCYF Celebrates National Adoption Day
November 30, 2020
DCYF's Response to New COVID-19 Restrictions
November 10, 2020
November is National Adoption Month
November 3, 2020
Free, Virtual Webinar for Kinship Caregivers
November 3, 2020
Cash Grants Available for Current and Former Foster Youth
November 3, 2020
Free Preschool Available to Qualified Families
November 3, 2020
Spokane Non-Profit Donates Birthday Cakes to Foster Youth
October 21, 2020
Resources for Financial Aid Help
October 21, 2020
K–12 Internet Access Program Available to Families
October 20, 2020
Social Media Policies for Caregivers
October 15, 2020
Child Care Options for Foster Youth During Pandemic
October 15, 2020
Upcoming Forum to Feature DCYF Secretary
October 8, 2020
Extended Foster Care Eviction and Rent Assistance
September 28, 2020
Additional COVID-19 Relief Funds for Child Care Stabilization
September 23, 2020
Toy Giveaway for all Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Families
September 16, 2020
Wildfires and Air Quality Safety
September 8, 2020
Licensed Foster Parents - It’s Flu Season!
September 3, 2020
Foster Youth and Hotel Stays
August 27, 2020
Shawn Finds His Forever Family
August 27, 2020
Coordinated Care provides Telehealth 24/7
August 19, 2020
Washington Listens: No Insurance, No Fees, Just Support
August 18, 2020
Mental Health Referral Service for Children and Teens
August 13, 2020
Back to School Guidance for Caregivers
August 7, 2020
CPR/First Aid Training Online
July 29, 2020
Miguel’s Journey to Adoption
July 22, 2020
Washington State Park Passes and Exemptions for Foster and Kinship Caregivers
July 16, 2020
Find Answers to Health-Related Questions
July 15, 2020
2019 Caregiver Survey Results
July 7, 2020
Let’s Get Outside!
June 25, 2020
Caregiver Survey: We Want to Hear From You
June 23, 2020
Celebrating Adoptions in Spokane
June 19, 2020
Get Help Buying Groceries While Schools are Closed
June 4, 2020
Siblings Adopted by Out-of-State Family Members
June 2, 2020
COVID-19 Parent and Caretaker Resources
May 28, 2020
Foster Parents Recognized for Collaboration with Parents
May 15, 2020
May is Foster Care Month
May 15, 2020
Thanking Our Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers
May 14, 2020
Drive-In Wi-Fi Hotspots Available Statewide
May 6, 2020
Foster Youth Recognized in Drive-By Celebration
May 6, 2020
COVID-19 Resource Guide for Washington State Parents and Caregivers
May 6, 2020
Washington Trafficking Prevention Training
May 6, 2020
Applied Behavior Analysis Training Available
April 27, 2020
Cash and Food Benefits
April 27, 2020
Parent, Caregiver Virtual Forum
April 27, 2020
Foster Care Liaisons Available
April 27, 2020
FPAWS Caregiver Conference Rescheduled
March 31, 2020
Advice to the Caregiver Community about Distance Learning
March 31, 2020
Fun Tips and Activities for Children and Families
March 31, 2020
Talking with Children About COVID-19
March 24, 2020
‘We Are Family Day’ Event Postponed
March 18, 2020
COVID-19 Fact Sheet for Grandfamilies and Multigenerational Families
March 18, 2020
Treehouse Offers Driver’s Assistance for Foster Youth
March 17, 2020
Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with COVID-19
March 17, 2020
Schools Closed Through April 24 in Washington State
March 17, 2020
How Are Caseworkers Trained?
March 6, 2020
Coronavirus - COVID-19 Updates
March 3, 2020
March is National Social Work Month
March 3, 2020
Puyallup Foster Parent Praises Caseworker’s Passion
February 27, 2020
Training: Addressing Eating Disorders
February 27, 2020
Safe Kids Day
February 27, 2020
Camp to Belong Washington Now Accepting Applications
February 25, 2020
Seattle Mariners We Are Family Day Tickets Go On Sale
February 25, 2020
Permanency From Day One Grant Update
February 25, 2020
Everett Caseworker Nominated for Child Passenger Safety Technician of the Year
February 25, 2020
Registration is Now Open for Children’s Justice Conference
February 18, 2020
Caregiver Survey: We Want to Hear From You
February 18, 2020
17th Annual Voices of Children Contest
February 11, 2020
Changes to Public Charge Take Effect Feb. 24
February 11, 2020
Changes to Child Welfare Policies and WAC Took Effect Feb. 1
February 6, 2020
Virtual Medical Care Now Available for AHCC-Enrolled Children and Youth
January 23, 2020
Seattle Caseworker Recognized
January 23, 2020
Pinwheels for Prevention
January 23, 2020
Non-Profit Offers Free Birthday Parties for Foster Youth
January 17, 2020
2019 Tax Season and Information for Caregivers
January 14, 2020
Caseworker Travels the ‘Extra Mile’ for Client
January 14, 2020
Secretary Hunter Ushers DCYF Into the New Year
December 30, 2019
Washington Car Seat Laws Changing
December 30, 2019
Region 6 Hosts Foster Family Holiday Party
December 30, 2019
Region 2 Staff Recognized for Their Hard Work
December 30, 2019
Recognize an Unsung Hero for Parent Recognition Month
December 23, 2019
Seeking a Foster Youth to Throw First Pitch at Mariners’ We Are Family Day!
November 27, 2019
DCYF, WA Courts Celebrate National Adoption Day
November 19, 2019
2019 Adoption Day Celebrations
November 12, 2019
Building the case for accepting and supporting LGBTQ+ children and youth in the child welfare and foster parent community
November 12, 2019
November is Native American Heritage Month
November 5, 2019
Adoption Training and Support Available
November 5, 2019
November is National Adoption Month
October 31, 2019
Halloween Candy: Your Dental Health Survival Guide
October 8, 2019
Prevent the Flu This Season
October 8, 2019
DCYF Staff Attend Mockingbird Society Youth Leadership Summit
September 24, 2019
Everett Office Scores 100 Percent During Recent Case Review
September 17, 2019
Medical Coverage for Children in Our Care Will Not Be Terminated
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!
September 17, 2019
Medical Coverage for Children in Our Care Will Not Be Terminated
September 10, 2019
Message from Secretary Hunter on Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention
September 4, 2019
Tumwater Office Hosts Back to School Event for Foster Families
September 4, 2019
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage
August 13, 2019
Walla Walla Social Worker Recognized for Work Ethic, Teamwork
August 13, 2019
Sign Up for Earthquake, Wildfire and Weather Alerts
August 13, 2019
August 13, 2019
Immunizations, Check-Ups and Sports Physicals
August 1, 2019
August 1, 2019
Secretary Hunter Attends the 2019 Camp to Belong Washington
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:
- Lynnwood – Donna Brantner at 360-631-6691 or donna.brantner@dcyf.wa.gov
- Richland, Pasco, Kennewick, West Richland, Benton City, Finley, Prosser, Mabton, Sunnyside, Outlook and Grandview – Ryan Greenhalgh at 509-578-8988 or ryan.greenhalgh@dcyf.wa.gov
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.
