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May 2022 Issue:
 May is National Foster Care Month, a time dedicated to celebrating foster parents, kinship caregivers, and the people who support children in out-of-home care.
Foster parents, kinship caregivers, and caseworkers are critical to meeting the needs of children and youth in out-of-home care, and we recognize that their selflessness and commitment are not unique to the month of May. Caregivers open their hearts, their homes, and their lives to children and youth year-round.
Gov. Jay Inslee joined the nation in proclaiming May as Foster Care Month in Washington State, giving us an opportunity to acknowledge foster parents, kinship caregivers, caseworkers, parents, and our partners who commit to the agency’s mission to protect children and strengthen families.
There are around 6,600 children in out-of-home care in Washington, which is the lowest it’s been in more than 40 years.
Fewer children in out-of-home care is definitely a good trend. That said, we continue to rely on foster care parents and kinship caregivers as partners to birth parents on the path to reunification. We need foster parents from diverse backgrounds to meet this need. We also want to see more kinship caregivers become licensed, so that they may obtain additional support, including a monthly reimbursement of costs associated with caring for a child experiencing foster care.
To all our foster and kinship families, thank you for making a difference in the lives of children, youth, and families!
Ross Hunter
DCYF Secretary
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Seattle | T Mobile Park | Sunday, May 8 | 1:10 p.m. (Flyer)
There’s nothing more important than family. The Mariners and DCYF are excited to invite you to We Are Family Day to celebrate foster, kinship, and adoptive families and the folks that support them.
Seattle | Daybreak Star Cultural Center | Saturday, May 14 | 1 to 5:30 p.m. (Flyer)
Join the United Indians Foster Care Program for a mini Pow Wow to celebrate caregivers.
Bremerton - Thursday, May 19 | 6-8 p.m. (Flyer)
Kitsap foster parents and kinship caregivers are invited to a Drive-Through event put together by the Kitsap Foster Care Association. For more information, visit www.kitsapfostercare.org. Register here: https://forms.gle/C9Qed6kk2JhRyEmt6
1402 East Main Puyallup, WA 98372 | Thursday, May 19 | 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (Flyer)
DCYF will join the Wishing Well Foundation for a Foster Parent Appreciation Event. Caregivers must register by contacting Erika Thompson at 206-406-2398. Registered attenedes will have their choice of Bundt cake!
Held on the first Tuesday of every month at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Contact Your Local Targeted Recruitment Specialist Today!
Find your region here:
https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/sites/default/files/
pdf/dcyfMap-counties.pdf
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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!
Please join us on Sunday, May 8, as the Mariners take on the Tampa Bay Rays. Enjoy a fun-filled day at the ballpark, visit us on the Rooftop Boardwalk for a pregame event and pick up a limited-edition We Are Family Mariners-themed hat (available to all individuals holding a specially priced We Are Family ticket).
After receiving dozens of nominations, a committee of DCYF staff selected Annaleigh Free, of Puyallup, to throw the ceremonial first pitch.
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. Join us at We Are Family Day 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!
Tickets are available at http://www.mariners.com/wearefamily for the special price of $18 for seats on the main level and $8 for view level. Be sure to check the Mariners “Know Before You Go” webpage for COVID-related and other entry protocols.
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Connect with other caregivers and gain valuable wellness insights during Wellness Resource Wednesdays!
Join Coordinated Care on the 3rd Wednesday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bi-monthly, medical experts from Coordinated Care and Center of Excellence will share specific health topics.
June 15 Topic: Diabetes
Zoom: 979 4221 7041
Under updated policy, caregivers may not use weighted sleep sacks for children under the age of two.
This decision is based on advice from DCYF’s medical consultants and general sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Some of the concerns about weighted sleep sacks include:
- Additional weight may inhibit breathing in newborns and very small/young infants (even if very minimal weight from sacks).
- Additional weight may be problematic for infants that have learned to roll from back to tummy. The additional weight may make it hard for them to roll back onto their back and this inhibition of movement can increase risk of suffocation.
- Additional weight may lead to overheating which is thought to contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
We encourage parents and caregivers to discuss sleep questions/concerns and sleeping environments with their child’s pediatrician.
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Snohomish County
Angie Etter, targeted recruitment specialist out of Region 3, has been bringing awareness to the specific need of foster care in Region 3.
She works to ensure folks know why it is important to keep children and youth in their communities and the need for caregivers for youth, ages 13 and older. In March, Angie partnered with Peach Jar to share recruitment flyers, hoping to connect with parents of middle and high school students in her region.
Peach Jar shared the flyer on the school website, 22 schools of which are in high removal areas in Snohomish County. These flyers reached over 18,000 families in Region 3. Angie continues to partner with community organizations and local schools. She is looking forward to upcoming events including the Everett School District’s Enrollment and Resource Fair on May 19.`
King County
John Gonzales, foster parent targeted recruitment specialist out of King County, worked closely with the Seattle Thunderbirds to host a foster parent night at their March 26 win against the Vancouver Giants.
DCYF offered discounted tickets to foster families and to those working in supportive roles for foster care. John and the rest of the recruitment and retention team answered questions and provided information about becoming a caregiver. John has additionally been a regular vendor at the Columbia City Night Market. This particular market focuses on celebrating and elevating Black and other POC owned companies. The markets are growing in popularity and provide opportunities for active engagement with curious patrons. We hope you might stop by the market in Columbia City which falls on the 3rd Saturday of every month.
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DCYF’s Adolescent Programs division is hosting four town hall meetings to provide ongoing updates regarding the Transition and Independent Living Program Redesign Project.
We are looking for feedback and participation from young people with lived experience in Juvenile Rehabilitation (JR) and foster care, foster parents, providers who serve foster care youth and alumni, as well as serving the JR populations, social workers etc.
Attendees will have the opportunity to receive updates about the project, themes collected, and participate in activities to share thoughts about what youth need when transitioning out of a DCYF system of care (Child Welfare and Juvenile Rehabilitation) and the services provided by our contracted Independent Living Program providers.
For us to be better prepared with our presentation, please complete the interest survey, so we know who our audience is.
Town hall dates and times:
- Tuesday, June 21, 5 – 7 p.m.
- Tuesday, Aug. 16, 5 – 7 p.m.
Join Here| Access Code: 892 0426 8776 | Password: DCYFIL | 253-215-8782 | Passcode: 864838
WA Legislature Awards $10.6M in Stipends for Youth Exiting Extended Foster Care
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