Alliance CaRES is expanding and hiring for Community Connectors. Community Connectors are current or former foster parents who are interested in helping represent Alliance CaRES at in-person community and DCYF events as well as help run local community-based support groups.

This position will work 2-10 hours a month on a flexible schedule.  If you or someone you know would be a great Community Connector, please encourage them to visit alliancecares.org/connectors/ to get more information and consider applying! Applications will be reviewed on Oct. 1.

For questions in Western Washington, contact Christa Murray at christa6@uw.edu. For questions in Eastern Washington, contact Angela Stiner at astiner@uw.edu

“Shout out to Social Worker Staci Foster, Ellensburg Office.  I worked with her before we adopted our twins for those couple years and might be working with her again if another relative's case needs placement. She was such a joy to work with before. She was always quick to reply, which she was today too when I found out about this relative and their possible case.  She tells you how it is and I just adored her!!” 

“Heather Mimms seems like a great worker who is really on top of things! I appreciate her making this connection with CaRES!” Heather made a caregiver referral to Lisa’s Park Playdate. The caregivers showed up and made some great connections with other caregivers."

"Sean W. from the DCYF Smokey Point office, the Leon family reports that he was super helpful in finding home services for their placement. Child was exhibiting emotion-based behaviors at their home and Sean was able to get the family help via a contract with services. He was responsive and actively looked for help for the family."

"Had a very long conversation a caregiver, they have placement of three sibling sisters, and hope to adopt. She said things have been going good, and someone named Brittney Brett helped her with an issue she had in the past."

Amara has recently launched a BIPOC Facebook group/page! This private Facebook group is for foster parents, kinship caregivers, and those who have adopted/guardianship through foster care who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and/or Person of Color) to share thoughts and ideas while experiencing foster/kinship care, and to meet other BIPOC foster and kinship parents to share resources and build community.

Similarly to Amara’s closed “Amara Family” Facebook page, this BIPOC page will be moderated by clinical staff at Amara. The group will be open to both Amara families and non-Amara families. 

For more information, visit AmaraFamily.org.

Starting Sept. 1, 2022, riders 18 and younger can take transit for free thanks to Move Ahead Washington, a statewide transportation funding package. 

Across the Puget Sound region, youth will be able to ride free on any of the following transit agencies. 

Starting Oct. 1, 2022: Washington State Ferries (including cyclists, pedestrians and vehicle passengers, but not vehicles)

How it Works

All youth will be able to ride transit for free. Riders age 13 and older are encouraged to show one of the following to the driver, if they have it:

• Youth ORCA Card (Please tap on/off. The card will not expire if it’s registered and youth have until June 30, 2023 to register their card.)
• Current High School or Middle School Student ID

For the next few months, youth who do not have one of these can still board for free.

In 2023 and beyond, youth will be directed to get a Free Youth Transit Pass that allows them to tap a card—or eventually their smartphone—to access transit across the region for free.

For more information, visit Free Youth Pass > Pierce Transit.

Join Us to Learn More About:

• Adoption Support program
• Eligibility and application process
• Benefits available through the program

Adoption Support Information Sessions occur the first Wednesday of every month.

Pick the time slot that works best for your schedule.

12-1 p.m. |  Meeting Registration - Zoom

6-7 p.m. | Meeting Registration - Zoom

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free, high-quality books to children from birth to age five. 

How It Works

• Enroll your child online at www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org.
• In 6-8 weeks, your child will receive their first
  book in the mail, 'The Little Engine That Could'.
• Books arrive in the mail monthly until your child's 5th birthday.
• Note: If the program is not available in your area, complete form to be notified should our program become available in your area.

For more information, visit www.imaginationlibrarywashington.org.

Connect with other foster parents and kinship
caregivers and learn helpful information during
Education Resource Wednesdays!

Join us on the third Wednesday of every other month from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Topics are presented by local education experts with time for questions and caregiver connection.

Bi-Monthly Topics

Sept. 21 - How to advocate for and monitor academic progress.

Nov. 16 - Supporting academic success in the general education setting - RTI, MTSS, and 504 plans.

Jan 18 - What are FBAs & BIPs and when to request them. Behavior challenges at school.

To attend, join the zoom: https://washington.zoom.us/j/9794221704