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October 2023 Issue:
 Background
October is LGBTQ+ History Month, an annual observance that celebrates the history, achievements, and contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) community. The month is an opportunity to honor activists, artists, leaders, and events that have shaped the LGBTQ+ rights movement and improved the visibility and acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals.
LGBTQ+ History Month was founded by a high school teacher named Rodney Wilson, who sought to incorporate LGBTQ+ history and issues into the curriculum and foster understanding and inclusion among students. Wilson's efforts led to the establishment of LGBTQ+ History Month in October, coinciding with National Coming Out Day on October 11, which commemorates the anniversary of the 1987 National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights.
Notable Figures
Marsha P. Johnson - A pioneering Black transgender activist who co-founded the Gay Liberation Front and played a pivotal role in the Stonewall uprising, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
Harvey Milk - California's first openly gay elected official who was a determined advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, tragically assassinated in 1978, whose legacy inspired future generations of activists.
Bayard Rustin - Bayard Rustin, an openly gay civil rights activist, was a key organizer of the historic 1963 March on Washington, advocating for civil rights and economic equality through nonviolent means.
Books
When children and youth are placed into foster care, away from parents, siblings, and extended family—they can lose their identity. That is why supporting, encouraging, and honoring a child’s race, ethnicity, culture, and disability is so important. While this may seem hard, one way to support identity and inclusion is through literacy!
Here are three books we recommend:
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Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
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ABC Pride by Louie Stowell
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Pride: An Inspirational History of LGBTQ+ Movement by Stella Caldwell
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Foster Parenting & Kinship Care | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Please help us in honoring 29 parent and caregivers during Parent Recognition Month (February 2024).
The nomination form is available in three languages (English, Spanish and Somali). A parent panel will select one honoree for each day in February and then all honorees (including their family or supporters) and their nominators will be invited to an in-person celebratory dinner event in Olympia.
All nominations must be submitted by January 5, 2024. The nominations can be emailed to strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.
Join Us to Learn More About:
- Adoption Support program
- Eligibility and application process
- Benefits available through the program
Adoption Support Flyer: English Spanish
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
Join us from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, as we share the story of "Riley the Brave Makes it to School," by Jessica Sinarski, illustrated by Zachary Kline; and "Yoga Adventure!" by Jamaica Stevens, illustrated by Rocio Alejandro.
Register here.
This event is open to Washington State foster and kinship families with a child in your care. If you have an eligible foster youth, all children in your household can join.
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In 2022 the Washington State Legislature passed E2SHB 1227 - the Keeping Families Together Act. The act made several changes to RCW 13.34, the Juvenile Court Act, regarding child dependency cases. The intent of the act was to safely reduce the number of children placed into foster care, reduce racial disproportionality in the child welfare system, and support relatives to take care of children when they must be placed out of home to protect their safety.
The Keeping Families Together Act went into effect on July 1, 2023.
What does HB 1227 change?
- Increases the standard for police and hospitals to take a child into protective custody through a “law enforcement hold” or a "hospital hold."
- Increases the standard for a court to issue a "pick up order" directing DCYF or law enforcement to take a child into protective custody.
- Increases the standard for the court to order that a child be removed from the home at a shelter care hearing to "imminent risk of physical harm." The evidence must show a causal relationship between conditions in the home and the threat of harm.
- Requires the court to weigh the harm of removal.
- Requires the court to consider if participation in services would prevent the need for removal. If so, should the parent agree to services at the Shelter Care Hearing, the court shall place the child with the parent.
- Requires the court to place with a relative or other suitable person unless placement into foster care is necessary because no relative can provide for the "basic safety" of the child.
- Requires that the court place a child with a relative even if there is an incomplete background check, the relative doesn’t believe the parent is a danger to the child, or the relative’s home doesn’t meet licensing requirements.
- Requires DCYF provide financial support when children are placed with relatives or suitable persons.
- Allows the court to order DCYF to issue an initial foster care license for the relative so they may begin receiving foster care maintenance payments.
Resources:
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The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families will replace the current four-level rate assessment system with a new, seven-level caregiver supports model beginning Jan. 1, 2024.
The new rate assessment system aligns supports with known information about the child or youth.
As part of these changes, caregivers licensed through CPAs will be paid directly by DCYF. Starting Jan 1, 2024, CPA Caregivers will need to start submitting invoices to receive payment.
How can CPA Caregivers prepare for this change?
- The easiest way to get paid timely is to set up Direct Deposit. With direct deposit, caregivers do not have to wait for paper checks to be sent through the mail.
- Sign up for the Social Services Payment System (SSPS) Provider Portal to simplify the payment process. In the portal you can:
- Review the invoice information you have provided and make changes.
- Easily update an address, phone number, or email address.
- Contact SSPS with questions.
- View real-time invoicing and see all remittances, invoices and tax documents in one place.
- You can find information about signing up for Direct Deposit or the Provider Portal at https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/foster-parenting/current-foster-parents/resources under the “Payments” heading.
If you have questions about signing up for Direct Deposit or the Provider Portal or about claiming payments from DCYF, caregivers may attend a Zoom session where a DCYF staff member will be available in real-time to answer questions.
Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2023 | 6-7 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 | 12-1 p.m.
Zoom Link: https://dcyf.zoom.us/j/9048600952?pwd=UEJYOHZweTFuYkZ3R25lWHhWQkoxdz09
Call-in Number: 1-253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 904 860 0952
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As a result of HB1188, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Service Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) is working on modifying its existing Home and Community-Based Waiver services to allow the provision of waiver services to DCYF-dependent children and youth.
Services under the new waiver are intended to supplement and not replace the Child Welfare services and support a child or youth is entitled to or receives from the DCYF or other sources.
DCYF is currently working with DDA to review the waiver amendments. The waivers are currently open for Tribal and public comment through November 2023:
Once public comment closes, the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services will review the amendments, and implementation will occur by Dec. 1, 2024.
Caregivers of Dependent youth and DCYF Social Service Specialists can contact the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Program Consultants for their Region for assistance navigating the DDA eligibility and application process:
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The October training schedule from The Alliance is available now! Learn about all the upcoming classes here.
Sign up to get these notices sent right to your inbox!
Holiday Magic is a 25+ year program run by Treehouse, that provides eligible youth in foster care with gifts during the winter holiday season. Every year, the program serves more than 5,000 youth across Washington State.
Who is eligible?
- Dependent children of the state of Washington who are:
- In an out-of-placement home, including tribal children who are state dependents
- Age 18 or older and participating in the Extended Foster Care/Foster Programs
- Served under the courtesy supervision and residing in another region of the state
- Served under the Interstate Compact of Children (ICPC) residing in another state
- Children placed in out of home care on a Shelter Care Order
When can caregivers order gifts?
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Registration for gifts will open in September. All caregivers of eligible youth will receive an email or mailed letter after their referral has been received and processed informing them of their eligibility and the process for requesting items.
- Gifts need to be requested by November 15 to arrive before the winter holidays.
- Gifts can be requested until December 15, but these later requests will likely be delivered in early January.
How can caregivers make a request?
Requests can be submitted at online at treehouseforkids.org/our-services/holiday-magic or by calling Holiday Magic’s registration line at 206-267-5111. Online registration is preferred. Please note that caregivers are encouraged be the ones to submit requests. If this is not possible, caregivers must be consulted on gift choice.
Can a youth make their own request?
Yes, youth are permitted to submit their own gift request.
When will caregivers receive their orders?
Gifts will be shipped throughout November and December. Caregivers will receive an email notification once their gift has been shipped.
Who can refer youth to the program?
The DCYF Contract Holder and Tribal Liaisons will send referrals to Holiday Magic on a monthly basis. We will not be able to accept referrals from other DCYF staff or agency caseworkers.
Can I check if the youth on my caseload have requests submitted?
Please check with the caregivers of the youth in question to confirm whether a request has been entered.
Who should I reach out to if I have questions?
If you have any questions, you can email holidaymagic@treehouseforkids.org or call 206-267-5111.
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The majority of children and youth in out-of-home care are covered by Medicaid through the Apple Health Core Connection (AHCC) plan for foster children, which is provided through Coordinated Care of Washington (CCW). However, Dental coverage is not run through AHCC/CCW.
Fostering Well-Being (FWB) provides care coordination for all fee-for-service needs for children and youth in out-of-home care, including dental needs. FWB will assist you in connecting with CCW when appropriate.
If a child or youth has a dental need (including orthodontia), contact the DCYF caseworker to discuss the need and determine if a review with FWB is appropriate. There is a process guide for DCYF caseworkers that will walk the child/youth’s team through the steps for care coordination, Medicaid review of needs, and a second review with FWB’s help if applicable. A second review can be especially helpful if a service has been denied.
Apple Health eligible dental services for children and youth include, but are not limited to:
- Routine exams (including the initial examination when first entering care)
- Cleanings
- X-rays
- Sealants
- Fillings
- Stainless Steel Crowns (Porcelain on front teeth only with Prior Authorization)
- Fluoride application
- Extractions
- Orthodontic services for children and youth only if they are deemed medically necessary and have prior authorization for treatment.
Note: Medical necessity for Apple Health orthodontia coverage includes “severe malocclusions” such as cleft palate or other serious dental problems.
Resources:
If you have any questions, contact Trishia Benshoof, Foster Care Health Program Manager at trishia.benshoof@dcyf.wa.gov or 360-789-0049.
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