Foster Parent Resources

This page is organized alphabetically and provides resources for children from newborns to youth who may be experiencing extended foster care.

Adolescent Programs

DCYF’s adolescent program works hard to build and share resources for all adolescents in care. Visit the DCYF web pages learn more about programs that support adolescents:

Alliance CaRES

CaRES is available to foster parents throughout their fostering journey. Visit the CaRES website for resources, information about support groups, and special events. They can connect you to a peer mentor, too, who is available to listen, problem solve, and help identify local resources.

This webpage identifies just a few of the groups or trainings that CaRES offers. Visit the CaRES Support Groups webpage to see all of their groups, events, and trainings.

Caregiver's Guides 

DCYF is guided by five agency values, one of which is inclusion. DCYF caregivers are encouraged to live this value by keeping children in their care connected to their family’s beliefs and culture. This can be done through a variety of ways including national observances and holidays. DCYF is proud to publish its first Caregiver’s Guide that shares history, terminology notable figures and books for 13 different celebrations throughout the year from Three King’s Day to Native American History month, caregivers and their children/youth can learn and appreciate diversity all year long.

Caregiver's Guide Volume One

Child Care

Child care is available to kinship caregivers if there is not a caregiver at home due to employment or continuing education. Talk with your child’s caseworker to access child care.

To find a child care near you, contact Child Care Aware of Washington for a list of licensed providers that match your needs, which may include locations, hours, rates, or types of care. You can visit the Child Care Aware of Washington website at or call 1-800-446-1114.

Contact Information

We want all caregivers to feel empowered while children and youth are in their homes. See the communication guide on when you should contact your caseworker and who you should call or email if you need additional assistance:

Evidence-Based Programs

Foster families are able to access a variety of evidence-based services to help foster children. These are provided at no cost to the foster family but have limited availability. If you are experiencing issues with placement and an in-home service may be helpful, contact your caseworker for more information.

Forms and Guides

Forms Caregivers Complete

Forms Caregivers Receive

Guides

Grief and Loss

All caregivers may experience grief and loss throughout their time caring for children and youth in care. This is natural and to be expected. Our partners at the CaRES team provide resources and supports for all caregivers who may be experiencing grief and loss or want to be prepared.

Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers

Mental and Behavioral Health

Missing from Care

Caring for children and youth may present unique challenges. If a foster child you are caring for is missing or on the run we want to provide you with the resources necessary to help ensure their safety.

Prevention Tips for Caregivers:

Youth at Risk to Run:

Reporting Responsibilities for Foster Parents

Payments

For payment information, visit All Families & Caregivers Supports & Resources

Permanency

The Permanency Planning Matrix describes each of the permanent plans listed below in detail. The descriptions below are offered as a quick review of what you’ll find in the Permanency Planning Matrix.

  • Reunification is DCYF’s first and primary goal for families. A family’s legal connections and rights do not change, and parents keep full rights and responsibility for their child.
  • Guardianship maintains the legal relationship between a child and the parent, but gives another adult physical and legal custody with full responsibility and rights to make decision for the child or youth. A guardianship ends on the child’s 18th birthday.
  • Adoption requires a parent’s rights to be terminated by the court and creates a new legal relationship with another adult. The adoptive parent has all care, custody, and legal rights to make decisions for the child, and the child has inheritance rights. Visit the Adoption webpage and learn more about Adoption Support.
  • Long-term foster care is a permanency planning option that offers youth another permanent planned living arrangement. The plan does not require a change in the youth’s legal relationship to family. Instead it is an agreement between the youth and their caregiver.

Respite

Respite is a vital resource for all caregivers, licensed and unlicensed. It plays an important role in maintaining placement by giving caregivers time to relax, attend trainings, and possibly prevent placement disruption.

Contact your regional placement desk or your CPA to request respite, or to let others know you are available to provide respite. 

School-Aged Children and Youth

  • Help Me Grow Washington Hotline - this hotline provides information and referral on a broad range of health and social services related to raising children of all ages. Topics of interest to kinship caregivers include nutrition, immunization, dental health, child care, child development, child safety, teen health, children with special needs, and parent/sibling support. Call 1-800-322-2588 (TTY 711).
  • Informing Families is a resource provided by the Washington State Developmental Disabilities Council, in collaboration with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) and other partners throughout the state. The website provides information on services, resources and opportunities to help children and adults with developmental disabilities live full and meaningful lives.
  • School District Foster Care Liaisons - School District Foster Care Liaisons can help answer questions and resolve concerns.
  • Treehouse Educational Advocacy