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February 2024 Issue:
 Background
Presidents' Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. The holiday was moved to the third Monday as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act in 1968 to create more three-day weekends for the nation's workers.
While it's not tied to specific traditions, Presidents' Day is often associated with sales and educational activities, providing a time for Americans to reflect on the contributions and leadership of past presidents in the country's history.
Notable Figures
George Washington: The first U.S. President and a key leader in the Revolutionary War.
Thomes Jefferson: The third President and author of the Declaration of Independence.
Abraham Lincoln: The 16th President, known for guiding the nation through the Civil War and abolishing slavery.
Books
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Kid Presidents: True Tales of Childhood from America's Presidents by David Stabler
- Presidents' Day by Anne Rockwell
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Grace for President by Kelly DiPucchio
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Foster parents and kinship caregivers may be eligible to claim a tax deduction on certain foster care payments for children who have been placed in their care for more than half of the tax year.
Exceptions apply for a foster child who was born within the tax year; caregivers will need to check with their tax advisor for assistance in claiming these potential deductions.
Access resources at https://dcyf.wa.gov/news/caregiver-resources-2023-tax-season
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In December 2023, DCYF sent out letters to licensed caregivers informing them of the new caregiver support level determination (Levels 1-7) and the corresponding foster care reimbursement rate for children and youth in their homes.
You will receive this amount of reimbursement for services provided in Jan. in your Feb. 2024 payment from DCYF. If you do not receive the amount indicated in the letter, please contact the Placement Resource Coordinator who’s contact information is listed on the letter to inform them of a discrepancy.
You may have also received a letter or multiple letters from the Social Services Payment System (SSPS) that notified you of a partial payment amount. This was a glitch related to the transition from the four-level rate system to the seven-level caregiver support model. The correct and total reimbursement amount is reflected in the letter from DCYF that includes the caregiver support level determination.
Please see the Payments section of the website for resources about caregiver payments and dates of DCYF Zoom sessions. The sessions are open to any caregivers who would like assistance signing up for Direct Deposit or the Provider Portal or who have questions about invoicing and payments.
Please visit the Caregiver Supports Project website for the most up to date information about the project: https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/services/foster-parenting/caregiver-supports-project
Please send any questions or comments to dcyf.caregiversupports@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Changes to DDA's Community-Based Waiver Services
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 waivers 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.
Implementation will occur by Dec. 1, 2024.
Additional Funding for Services Available Now
If your child or youth is currently DDA eligible and has a completed or updated Comprehensive Assessment Reporting Evaluation (CARE), contact your DCYF MH/DD Program Consultant for potential access to pre-1188 state-only funds for critical services.
Additional information about the DDA intake and eligibility process can be found on the DSHS-DDA Website.
Meet your Program Consultants
The Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities (MH/DD) Program Consultants team offers support, consistency, and prevention, helping clients in partnership with Regional Leads to navigate the space between Systems Operations and Service Providers.
Caregivers of dependent youth and DCYF case workers can contact the MH/DD Program Consultants for their region for assistance navigating the DDA eligibility and application process:
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The Office of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (ODHH) offers programs and services for Deaf, DeafBlind, Deafdisabled, Hard of Hearing, Late Deafened, and Speech Disabled individuals, their families, and service providers in Washington State. They work to connect the community with services and resources that are accessible and inclusive.
Learn more at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/odhh
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Family Education & Support Services hosts the annual Washington State Voices of Children contest for children and youth, ages 5-19 years of age being raised now or in the past by a relative, other than their parents and the Voices of Kinship Caregivers.
They are invited to write a short essay, poem, or submit a drawing that depicts how living with their kinship caregivers or caring for a kinship child has made a positive difference in their life.
Each child or caregiver who enters the contest may have their artwork or written submissions included in a booklet called “Voices of Children” and “Voices of Kinship Caregivers” (without their last name or location identified). Learn more and apply today at 2024-VOC-Application-editable.pdf (familyess.org)
All entries must be submitted or postmarked by April 15, 2024.
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This new resource answers common child care questions from foster parents and caregivers about acceptable child care options
for foster children according to current policy and practice.
From unlicensed child care to respite care, check out this flyer to stay up to date regarding these opportunities.
Allowable Child Care for Foster Care
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The Licensing Division has begun the process of amending the foster care WAC 110-148 as part of the DS Settlement.
This approach is designed to provide public access to rulemaking, which means foster care representatives will participate throughout the NRM project to ensure WAC amendments represent the caregiver voice.
There are many ways for you to engage in this process, for more information visit the Foster Care WAC Amendment webpage.
If you have any questions, email dcyf.fostercarenrm@dcyf.wa.gov
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The Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence
Coordinated Care
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