Learn more about the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) five-year Prevention Plan and provide virtual feedback during October's Virtual Town Halls. 

DCYF will provide updates on the current status of FFPSA implementation, provide an overview of the current prevention plan, and discuss initial areas of focus for the new plan. There is also potential to hear from national experts about the implementation of FFPSA across the country.

Virtual Town Halls

• Oct. 8 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 10 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 15 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
• Oct. 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Virtual Listening Session 

• Oct. 22 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. 

Register Today or send any questions to dcyf.familyfirstact@dcyf.wa.gov

If you require an alternate format for this information, need language interpretation services, or need another accommodation or modification to participate in this event, please contact dcyf.familyfirstact@dcyf.wa.gov within fourteen (14) days of the event.

Holiday Magic is a 25+ year program 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. Treehouse runs this program in the hopes that it provides youth with positive experiences that lead to identity development, a sense of belonging, and helps build healthy relationships with caregivers.

Who is eligible?

• Children placed in out-of-home care on a Shelter Care Order
• 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

Who is not eligible?
Children or youth in a trial return home, on a voluntary placement agreement or not in a dependency.

When can caregivers order gifts?

• Registration for gifts opens in early October. 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 Nov. 19 to arrive before the winter holidays.
• Gifts can be requested until Dec. 17, but these later requests will likely be delivered in early January.

How can caregivers make a request?
Online registration is preferred. Requests can be submitted online or by calling Holiday Magic’s registration line at 206-267-5111.

Please note that caregivers are encouraged be the ones to submit requests. If this is not possible, caregivers must be consulted on gift choice.

Professional Therapeutic Foster Care (PTFC) is being developed for young people with elevated mental and behavioral health needs who have experienced instability.

PTFC aims to partner with Child Placing Agencies to provide young people a family home with a Professional Therapeutic Parent who is highly trained, culturally responsive, trauma informed, LGBTQIA+ affirming, and believes in the power of connection and belonging.

Young people will have opportunities to connect to their families of choice or origin and engage in their chosen activities and community.  Young people and families will have access to therapeutic services and support, independent living skills, coaching and mentoring, and thoughtful transitions.

The new and revised Professional Therapeutic Foster Care WACs take effect Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. These WACs outline the eligibility and licensing requirements for PTFC. Professional Therapeutic Foster Parents will be certified by Child Placing Agencies.

Please contact Professional Therapeutic Foster Care Program Manager Ayn Witman for more information at ayn.witman@dcyf.wa.gov

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 critical 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: An openly gay civil rights activist, who was a key organizer of the historic 1963 March on Washington, advocating for civil rights and economic equality through nonviolent means.

Books

• Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
• ABC Pride by Louie Stowell
• Pride: An Inspirational History of LGBTQ+ Movement by Stella Caldwell

The Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence

• Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Families — Oct. 7, 9 to 11 a.m.
  This course helps you understand the impact of parenting children from different racial/ethnic/cultural backgrounds and to know how to honor and incorporate child’s race/ethnicity/culture into their existing family system. Strategies are identified to help children develop positive and proud identities and to help children and families prepare for and handle racism in all forms. Register Here
• Mental Health Considerations for Children —Oct. 22, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. This course provides a foundational understanding of mental health disorders and conditions that commonly occur in childhood. Content is shared to illustrate that not all “survival” behaviors or symptoms of grief are connected with mental health disorders. Commonly administered psychotropic medications are described and information about how to obtain consistent, adequate and appropriate access to mental health services is highlighted. Register Here 
  
  Learn about all the upcoming classes.
  Sign up to get these notices sent right to your inbox or explore the training calendar.

CaRES Events 

Family Team Decision Making Meetings (FTDM)
Oct. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Speaker: Melissa Hoogendoorn, DCYF Engagement Program Manager
Family Team Decision Making (FTDM) meetings are used to engage the family and others who are involved with the family to participate in critical decisions regarding the removal of children from their home, placement stabilization and prevention, and reunification or placement into a permanent home. Find out more about FTDMs at this informational event.

Register Here

Wellness Resource Wednesday: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
Oct. 16 at 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Speaker: Nathan LaChine

This training explains the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study and identifies all 10 ACEs. All childhood experiences have an impact on people as they mature. This training explores the long-term effects that adverse childhood experiences have on physical and mental health. Preventative measures, resiliency, and how to address the needs of children with a high ACEs score are all discussed.

Register Here

Coordinated Care 

Please consult the Coordinated Care website for monthly training webinars and events. 

Do you know a caregiver that deserves recognition for the incredible work that they do for children and youth every day?

Send their story to dcyf.recognition@dcyf.wa.gov so they can be highlighted in an upcoming Caregiver Connection or other DCYF publications.