Support & Resources

Get Support

Crisis Support Lines for Foster Parents and Kinship Caregivers

  • Daytime Emergencies
  • Afterhours Placement Emergencies
    • 5 p.m. - 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and all weekend hours
    • Contact Central Intake 1-866-363-4276
  • Available Anytime
    • Call a regional mental health crisis line.  The phone lines are:
      • Staffed all day, every day
      • Available to all Washingtonians (regardless of insurance or income level)
      • Provided by the Health Care Authority and Behavioral Health Administrative Services Organizations

Technical Support for SecureAccess Washington (SAW) and the Washington Caregiver Application Portal (WA CAP)

DCYF uses online programs to communicate with foster parents and kinship caregivers. Use these resources to help you create and use your account. 

Ongoing Support

  • The Alliance Caregiver Retention, Education, and Support, or CaRES, program is for all foster parents and kinship caregivers in Washington state. CaRES mentors reach out to new foster parents when they get licensed and welcome their first placement. Kinship caregivers hear from CaRES when a kinship child is placed in the home. Resources, different types of support groups, and events are all available!
  • Coordinated Care’s Apple Health Core Connections (AHCC) is the managed health care plan for young people who are currently or have previously experienced foster care. AHCC provides care coordination, caregiver training, and other helpful programs like "Harvest Bucks"

Get Paid Back for CPR and First Aid Training

People applying to be foster parents and caregivers renewing their license must pay for CPR and First Aid training out of pocket. But they can ask for reimbursement once their license is issued. Follow these steps to get reimbursed: 

  1. Search the web for an in-person class near you that fits the age group you want to care for (adult, child, and infant certifications are available).
  2. Verify with the trainer that the class meets national standards set by the American Heart Association.
  3. Keep your receipt and certification card.
  4. Once your license is issued, ask your licensor to be paid back for the class.

Foster Parent Reimbursement and Liability Plans

Payment Information

Find information about signing up for Direct Deposit or the Provider Portal in the Provider Payments Training document. 

For step-by-step directions:

Use the SSPS Portal to:

  • Review your information and make changes
  • Update an address, phone number, or email
  • Email SSPS questions
  • View invoices
  • See all documents

Note: An upcoming change to payment processing at DCYF requires all licensed providers to register for a Statewide Vendor Number (SWV) to get payments. If you are a current caregiver, you will receive an email with next steps.

For questions, contact SSPS at ProviderFileUnit@dcyf.wa.gov or call 360-664-6161.

Caregivers licensed by a Child Placing Agency (CPA) will be paid directly by DCYF.

Additional Resources

Social Security Benefits for a Child or Youth with Unmet Needs

When a court decides a child or youth needs to be in foster care for their safety, DCYF takes care of the child or youth and their benefits. DCYF can apply for benefits and manage them for foster children and youth because the law (RCW 74.13.060) allows it.

If the Social Security Administration (SSA) approves DCYF as payee, the benefits help pay for the child’s foster care. If there is extra money after paying for care, it goes into a savings account for the child. If the child leaves foster care, leftover money is returned to SSA.

Most public benefits DCYF receives for children in foster care come from the SSA. SSA decides if a child or youth qualifies for benefits when:  

  • A parent passes away.
  • A parent retires.
  • A parent becomes disabled and worked long enough to qualify.
  • A child or youth has a disability or a condition that limits daily life.

Read more about social security benefits for a child or youth with unmet needs

Get Support During a Licensing Investigation

Foster parents may experience a Licensing investigation about breaking a licensing rule or child abuse or neglect. Contact the Foster Intervention and Retention Support Team (FIRST) program for support and neutral advice.

Complaint and Concern Resources

  • Constituent Relations
    • Helps resolve complaints about child protection and child welfare cases, foster home and child care licensing, child care programs, and juvenile rehabilitation services.
    • 1-800-723-4831 or email constrelations@dcyf.wa.gov
  • Office of the Family and Children’s Ombuds
    • A state office that is separate from DCYF. They investigate complaints about DCYF decisions.
      • Any child at risk of abuse, neglect, or other harm.
      • A child or parent involved with child protection or child welfare services.
      • The safety or welfare of children in state care.
    • Online Complaint Form
    • 1-800-571-7321

Resources

Pass Programs

Across Washington State, there are organizations and groups that provide discounts and free opportunities to foster parents and kinship caregivers. The pass programs listed below are available to all caregivers statewide. The CaRES guide provides additional information about regional activities and clothing closets, too!

Community Organizations

  • Foster Parent Association of Washington State, or FPAWS, supports and advocates for foster parents and kinship caregivers across Washington. FPAWS runs a foster care support line that is available at 1-800-391-CARE (2273). For general information, visit the FPAWS website at https://fpawscares.org/ or email fpaws@fpawscares.org.
  • The Seattle, Spokane, and Olympic Peninsula Angels offer support to children, youth, and caregivers through their Dare to Dream youth mentorship program and the Love Box program. These programs include intentional giving, relationship building, and mentorship with foster parents. Learn more by visiting the chapter websites provided below:
  • Sibling Strong is a non-profit organization that reunites siblings who have been separated because of foster care, kinship, or adoption. Their most well-known program is a summer camp which brings siblings from across Washington state together for a week of activities focused on building sibling connections. Sibling Strong offers programs throughout the year.
  • Fosterful volunteers provide activities, snacks, and supervision to children and youth who are spending time in a DCYF office, specifically when they are first removed from their parents.

Foster Parent Shared Leave Pool

The Foster Parent Shared Leave Pool (FPSLP) lets any state employee voluntarily donate their leave to be used as shared leave for any eligible state employee who is a licensed foster parent pursuant to RCW 74.15.040 and is caring for a foster child or is preparing to care for a foster child in their home. Get more information on the FPSLP page.

Washington State Paid Family and Medical Leave

Most caregivers who work in Washington state are eligible for Washington State’s Paid Family and Medical Leave. Apply for paid time off to bond with a new adopted, foster, or kinship child or youth. The program is different from leave through the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).   

Helpful Websites

Adoption

Caregiving

Child Development, Early Learning, and Education

Child Welfare 

Nationwide and Statewide Resource Hubs

Training, Support, and Mentors