Parenting Resources

Foster parents and caregivers are important in providing supportive home environments to children in out-of-home care.  Many times these children have special challenges and needs. Below are resources to support you in the diverse needs of children in foster care.

Behavioral Strategies

Videos

  • Behavioral Challenges in Foster Care with Gary Benton. Learn about handling challenging behaviors in children. (YouTube 59 min)
  • Behavior Management ages 11-18 (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3) with Wendy Warman,MSW.) This video deals with behaviors of children experiencing emotional distress. (YouTube 2 hrs 27 min.)
  • De-escalation Techniques in Foster Care with Gary Benton. In this workshop, Gary Benton helps us to develop skills to bring the tension down with children in care. (YouTube 59 min.)

Documents

Websites

  • Developmental Disabilities Administration - Provides residential services, day services and support services for clients with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It offers a continuum of supports through a safe, high-quality array of home, employment, community and facility-based residential services on a $1.08 billion annual budget.
  • ZERO TO THREE - Their mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life.

Child Development

Videos

Brain Development and Nurturing Children's Growing Minds (Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4) with Victoria Tennant. Learn how the brain works and how you can enhance the growth of a young mind. (YouTube 5 hrs 20 min)

Websites

  • Developmental Disabilities Administration - Provides residential services, day services and support services for clients with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It offers a continuum of supports through a safe, high-quality array of home, employment, community and facility-based residential services on a $1.08 billion annual budget.
  • ZERO TO THREE - Their mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life.
  • National Resource Center for Youth Services(NRCYS) - Provides research reports and youth development ideas. The resource center is available to provide training to states through their Chafee Foster Care Independence program.

Health & Safety

Children Missing from Care

Apple Health Core Connections (AHCC)

EPSDT/Child Well Exams

The Washington State Immunization Information System (WAIIS)

  • WAIIS is the Washington State Immunization Information System. The system helps ensure Washington's kids get the preventive health care they need.
  • The WAIIS website has links to age specific health and developmental materials. These materials can be printed and shared with foster parents and caregivers

Do you use non-sterile gloves as part of daily care?

If the use of non-sterile gloves is part of the day-to-day care of a child placed in your home, the child's Medicaid benefits will automatically pay for 2 boxes (200 gloves) if you have a prescription from the child's medical provider. 

If the use of non-sterile gloves is part of the day-to-day care of a child placed in your home, the child's Medicaid benefits will automatically pay for 2 boxes (200 gloves) if you have a prescription from the child's medical provider. The child may be eligible for additional boxes of gloves but anything beyond the 2 boxes must have prior-approval from Medicaid.

Discuss the additional need for supplies with your child's medical provider. The medical provider will write a prescription that you can take to the pharmacy or medical supply vendor. Any pharmacy or medical supply vendor who accepts Medicaid will know how to request a prior authorization for any medication, service, or equipment.

If you have Questions on Payments for Medical Services?

If you have any questions about payments for medical services, please contact the Foster Care Medical Team (FCMT) at: 1-800-562-3022 and follow the instructions.

Documents

Websites

  • Northwest Infant Survival Alliance-SIDS Foundation of Washington - dedicated to the informational and emotional support of bereaved families, to the education of the general public and professionals, and to the ultimate elimination of sudden infant death through research.
  • US Consumer Product Safety Commission - Provides safety information on cribs including crib recalls, putting your baby to sleep safely, and information on the mandatory crib safety standards effective June 28, 2011.
  • Washington Information Network 2-1-1 - Search an online directory of health and human service programs to find resources like food banks (food pantries), emergency shelters, transportation, health clinics, rent or utilities assistance, legal help, and many more.
  • Washington State Booster Seat Coalition - Please use child booster seats correctly. Learn more here about proper use.
  • WithinReach (Formerly Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition) - Provides information and referral for social and health services across Washington State.
  • ZERO TO THREE - Their mission is to ensure that all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life.

Native Children - understanding the unique strengths and needs of Native children

All My Relations, a film about the importance of cultural connections for Native American children. (44 min).

All My Relations Video Discussion Guide

Parenting Children Exposed to Trauma

Parenting children exposed to trauma is not always intuitive and requires a higher level of training than many of us have. Here is a resource guide on parenting children exposed to trauma. It was developed for foster parents and relative caregivers by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, and shared with us by Dr. Frances Chalmers, M.D., Medical Consultant, Region 2 North.

We have all heard about the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study and the role early childhood trauma plays in adult medical and mental health outcomes. Trauma is better recognized as a source of many behavioral challenges seen in children in foster care. Regardless of how and why a child ends up in foster or relative care, the mere fact this has happened is a form of trauma. Often there are many more levels of trauma in addition. Unfortunately some manifestations of trauma in young children are acting out behaviors which can lead to placement failures and more trauma.

Lots of work is being done to learn how to best "treat" children with trauma experiences, in an effort to ameliorate the effect of the trauma as early as possible. This includes specific evidence based behavior therapies as well as medications. With the medications work is being done to keep in mind the rational safe and judicious use of various psychotropic medications while making available the behavioral therapies at the same time.

Parenting children exposed to trauma is not always intuitive and requires a higher level of training than many of us have. Caregivers are always encouraged to enroll in one of the various evidence based parenting classes available throughout the regions. Helping families access appropriate resources so they are prepared to help kids recover from past trauma and avoid the risk of new traumas is essential.

Parenting After Trauma: Understanding Your Child's Needs, A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents

Documents

The Impact of Trauma Ongoing Mental Health Screening

Supportive Organizations

When Foster Parents Experience Grief and Loss

Supporting LGBTQ Youth

Websites

  • Casey Family Programs - Foster Care Alumni - A meeting place for people from foster care who wish to connect to each other and to use their experiences to advocate on behalf of foster children.
  • Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) - An association of public and private nonprofit agencies that assist abused and neglected children and their families each year with a wide range of services.
  • Foster Parents Association of Washington State (FPAWS) - A non-profit organization committed to strengthening the position of foster parents and the children in their care. Contact the office by calling or writing to:

    FPAWS
    1121 Harrison Avenue PMB 274
    Centralia, WA 98531
    24Hour Adoptive-Kinship-Foster Family Support
    Toll Free: 1-800-391-2273

  • Hand in Hand - Helps parents acquire the skills they need to build and rebuild close connections with their children.
  • Mockingbird Society - A resource for young people who are living in or have lived in foster care. The Mockingbird Society provides young people the opportunity to learn about child welfare policy and programs and to share their thoughts about their foster care experience.
  • National Foster Parent Association - Supports foster parents and remains a consistently strong voice on behalf of all children
  • National Resource Center for Youth Services(NRCYS) - Provides research reports and youth development ideas. The resource center is available to provide training to states through their Chafee Foster Care Independence program.
  • Northwest Infant Survival & SIDS Alliance - dedicated to the informational and emotional support of bereaved families, to the education of the general public and professionals, and to the ultimate elimination of sudden infant death through research.
  • Treehouse - Treehouse provides educational and other essential support for youth in foster care in Washington State with an open DCYF case. Visit treehouseforkids.org for more information about specific services.
  • Washington Information Network 2-1-1 - Search an online directory of health and human service programs to find resources like food banks (food pantries), emergency shelters, transportation, health clinics, rent or utilities assistance, legal help, and many more.