DCYF is excited to announce, Annaleigh Free, of Puyallup, will throw the first pitch at We Are Family Day on Sunday, May 8. 

DCYF received dozens of nominations. Some told of stories of resiliency, others helped us realize how many baseball fans there are amongst our foster parents and kinship caregivers, but all of the nominations featured wonderfully deserving young people. A committee of DCYF staff got together to review the nominations and selected Annaleigh as well as some honorable mention candidates.

Annaleigh is 10-years-old and lives with her brothers and her grandparents, and frequently gets to see her father, too. Annaleigh is in fourth grade and well known for being a kind, focused, hard worker who never gives up and always does her best. When she’s not at school, Annaleigh can be found playing for the South Hill Little League Gators! Naturally athletic and great at defense, Annaleigh also likes to beach comb, play the piano, and Pokemon. 

Annaleigh is an Alaskan Native and member of the Stebbins Community. Her excellent fine motor skills have come in handy learning to make bracelets. A self-described Hufflepuff, Annaleigh also loves seafood! Annaleigh's grandparents, father, and brothers will be escorting her to the pitching mound at T-Mobile Park!

Please join us at We Are Family on Sunday, May 8 and see Annaleigh throw the first pitch, and here’s to all the incredible foster and kinship families who help to ensure that all of Washington’s young people grown up safe, loved, and celebrated!

April, Child Abuse Prevention Month, is a time to celebrate and lift-up the places and people in your community that celebrate the importance of children and their families. 

The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) coordinates statewide activities for Child Abuse Prevention Month through the work of the Strengthening Families Washington team.

The Pinwheels for Prevention campaign is part of the Prevent Child Abuse America national effort to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect prevention. This year, almost 15,000 blue and silver pinwheels will be distributed around the state. Thousands were also planted at the state capitol building on March 31. The pinwheel is a timeless symbol of the joy and happiness of childhood and the symbol of the Pinwheels for Prevention campaign, offering a visual representation in communities to remind children and those around them that they are important. Proceeds from the pinwheel sales go to the Children’s Trust of Washington, housed at DCYF.

Every act that builds protective factors in families is an act of prevention. These can be a connecting a family to a concrete support, parent spending quality time invested in their child, or a neighbor providing a meal to a family so the family can reduce stress and enjoy each other. Each pinwheel you see can be a reminder to inspire us all to support children having joyful and happy childhoods.

The pinwheel is also represented in a variety of other free items, including our Protective Factors coloring book, our annual Child Abuse Prevention coloring page, seeds for starting your own garden or helping the bees, pinwheel temporary tattoos, and our build your own bulletin board pinwheel display. You can email strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov to request any of these items to be mailed to you.

The Teen Chat Line is designed to provide support for youth, primarily ages 13-17, who may be experiencing family and relationship issues, behavioral health needs, and/or substance use issues.

By texting, calling, or using the chat portal, youth will be connected to a certified peer support specialist who has lived experience as well as access to other professional providers and resources.

Youth can call or text 844-814-8336, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This program services Stevens, Lincoln, Ferry, Adams, Pend Oreille, and Spokane Counties. 

"We would like to recognize Zane Mehl - social worker for our foster son. Thank you for all the hard work and care you provide to him each month. We appreciate you!" - Kathie Bournique

"For National Social Workers month, I would like to recognize Danielle Johnson (who works in the Adoptions side) as the most amazing, responsive and helpful social worker we have ever had. She is prompt, effective and always has a sunny attitude toward families. She advocates for her foster families transitioning to adoption so that things work as smoothly as possible." - Susannah Halliburton

"I want to recognize Emma Sanchez. She is an amazing social worker with the perfect balance of procedure and heart. I have one of a sibling group of four and she has truly loved on these kids. She has been tireless in advocating for them. She works proactively for sibling visits and has been a great mediator between the adults in the various placements. I really appreciate her care and concern." - Sarah Soriano

Here are a few key ways to access COVID tests for children and youth in out-of-home care; including community based PCR tests, or ‘rapid at home’ tests:

• To locate community testing options, including rapid tests, contact Coordinated Care's Apple Health Core Connections Team at AHCCTeam@coordinatedcarehealth.com, or call the main line 1-844-354-9876 (Dial 2 for Member Services) 8am-5pm on weekdays and ask for CARE COORDINATION.
  • This phone number is available 24/7 for pharmacy and other questions too.
• 12 over-the-counter COVID tests per month are covered for every Apple Health member with the Coordinated Care card.
  • Please Note:  Coordinated Care coverage for the tests must be used. There is no way to reimburse caregivers if they pay out-of-pocket for COVID tests.
  • If you need help finding a pharmacy that has over the counter/at-home COVID tests in stock, contact the Apple Health Core Connections Team.
  • The at-home tests should follow the child if their placement changes.
  • If a child has used the 12 tests before the month is up, a doctor can prescribe more tests and insurance will cover them.
  • Heath Care Authority Testing Policy: https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/billers-and-providers/apple-health-covid-testing-clinical-policy.pdf
• For youth in fee-for-service Medicaid coverage, tests are covered through the Provider One card.