DCYF Launches Caregiver Application Portal
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is making it much easier for individuals interested in becoming foster parents to apply.
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) is making it much easier for individuals interested in becoming foster parents to apply.
DCYF Launches Effort to Grow Trauma-Informed and Healing Centered Practices
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Executive Leadership Team recently launched an agency-wide effort to grow trauma-informed and healing-centered supports throughout the agency.
Today, Washington State stopped forcing parents involved in the child welfare system to pay the state for the costs of caring for their child in foster care. Credible studies show that doing so often results in children lingering in foster care, causing needless damage to the child and costing taxpayers more than is likely to be collected.
DCYF and Binti, a child welfare software provider, have joined together to launch the Washington Caregiver Application Portal (WA CAP) this fall, which will allow prospective foster parents to complete the application process online.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott recently created a nightmare for transgender youth by directing state officials to open child abuse investigations on families who supported and sought gender-affirming medical care for their children.
A Texas judge blocked this action – for now.
Families and children can find love and support in many ways – through places in communities that offer a sense of belonging, from teachers who inspire and lift children, or through home visitors who step in and offer support and guidance to families.
DCYF's Strengthening Families team is preparing to observe Child Abuse Prevention Month this April by raising awareness in communities about child abuse and neglect prevention.
Foster parents and kinship caregivers may claim a tax deduction on certain foster care payments for children who have been placed in their care for more than half of the tax year. Exceptions apply for a foster child born within the tax year; caregivers will need to check with their tax advisor in these situations.
This month, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families is joining the country to celebrate Social Work Month.
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families and the Seattle Mariners are excited to announce the return of our annual foster parent and kinship caregiver celebration—We Are Family Day!