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February 2025 Issue:
 History
Each February, Black History Month honors the achievements,
culture, and history of Black Americans. It is an opportunity
to recognize where systemic racism persists, and give visibility
to the people and organizations creating change.
The month-long observance began in 1926 as a week-long
event created by Carter G. Woodson, known as the “father
of Black History” and the founder of the Association for the
Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH). During
the 1960s, the week-long observance became a month-long
celebration on many college campuses. Since 1976, February
has been officially designated as Black History Month.
Terminology
Black: People of African descent, no matter their nationality.
African-American: Refers to people born in the United States
and have African ancestry.
People of Color: Originally meant to be a synonym of “Black,”
but its meaning has expanded to accommodate Latinos, Asians,
Native Americans, and other non-white groups.
Books
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The 1619 Project - Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones & Renee Watson
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The ABCs of Black History by Red Cortez
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Young, Gifted, and Black by Jamia Wilson
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Foster Parenting & Kinship Care | Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Since 2007, DCYF has partnered with the DSHS Research and Data Analysis team to conduct an annual statewide survey of caregivers.
The survey includes kinship caregivers and foster parents and features quotes and data that help us better understand caregiver experiences.
You can view this year’s report and all past reports by visiting the Get Involved webpage.
The DCYF staff and representatives working on suggested updates to Foster Care WACs have completed three out of the six WAC sets that are under revision.
You can visit the Foster Care NRM webpage for updates on each WAC set and information about the project.
If you would like to give input on revised WAC, email dcyf.fostercarenrm@dcyf.wa.gov.
Every Kid Outdoors is a U.S. National Park Service initiative that provides free access to over 2,000 federal lands and waters.
To get started, simply visit Every Kid Outdoors, have your fourth grader complete a short educational activity, and download the paper voucher.
Learn about events, resources, opportunities to connect, and common myths busted.
The Alliance
Alliance CaRes Newsletter
Coordinated Care
DCYF Supports and Resources
SUD Family Navigator Training
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The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program is a national program that provides financial assistance to eligible youth to attend an accredited college, university, vocational or technical college.
Dependent Youth who are attending a Running Start program could be eligible for the Dual Credit ETV program and applications are accepted year-round.
To learn more about the program, eligibility, and to apply for the 2025–2026 school year, please visit the ETV webpage.
To meet the priority deadline, you must submit an application by April 30, 2025. All applications received after April 30 will be awarded on an available funds basis.
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Do you know a child or youth in foster care who loves baseball? DCYF is now accepting nominations for one special child or youth in foster care to throw the ceremonial first pitch at a Mariners game.
Every year, DCYF partners with the Seattle Mariners to celebrate kinship, foster, and adoptive families during their annual event, We Are Family Day, held at T-Mobile Park.
To be eligible, the child or youth must:
- Have experienced foster care during the past 12 months in Washington state.
- Be at least 10 years old.
- Be prepared and comfortable standing in front of a large crowd of people and throwing a baseball to home plate.
Nominations must include:
- The young person’s first name and age.
- Information about why you think they and their caregiver are good candidates for this opportunity.
- Caregiver name(s) and contact information.
This year, in an effort to highlight the critical and supportive relationships between young people in care and their caregivers, one of the caregivers of the selected child or youth will serve as catcher.
To nominate a youth and their caregiver, email holly.luna@dcyf.wa.gov with the required information by Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. The selected nominees will be asked to complete a photo release with appropriate signatures.
Join us at We Are Family Day on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Tickets for the game are available now.
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DCYF is and has always been committed to keeping children and families safe and reducing unnecessary family separations.
This commitment is only heightened in light of recent immigration enforcement threats and actions that have the potential of impacting families across Washington state.
Read the recent communication sent regarding the agency’s ongoing position on protecting sensitive information.
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Gov. Bob Ferguson signed an Executive Order on Jan. 27 creating a task force within DCYF that will support children and youth who face the risk of family separation due to recent immigration enforcement actions.
Gov. Ferguson signed Executive Order 25-04 – which created the task force – at El Centro de la Raza in Seattle alongside dozens of families and immigration activists who cheered on as they witness the state’s commitment to reduce the trauma associated with unnecessary family separations.
Read the full article.
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The Alliance CaRES is hiring two community engagement coordinators to serve Regions 3-6.
Candidates must have lived experience with the child welfare system as kinship caregivers, foster parents, or alumni of care.
The position is a good fit for people who have excellent coordination, planning, and leadership skills, and a passion to support caregivers in their local regions.
Read the full details about these positions, including salary range, location (Regions 3-6), and application requirements, on the UW Hire page.
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In 2021, the Washington State Legislature passed House Bill 1227 — the Keeping Families Together Act. 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 in order to protect their safety.
Since taking effect in July 2023, DCYF has been closely monitoring the implementation of HB 1227. Current data shows an overall 9.6% decrease in children entering foster care this July – November compared to the same time frame in 2022. Data and analysis of the new law's impact on child safety do not support claims that the bill has led to the 44% increase in child fatalities and near fatalities.
Read the full article.
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If you are caring for a child or youth who is eligible for DDA services and would like to learn more about accessing these services, please reach out to your DCYF caseworker or the Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Program Consultant in your area to learn more.
Additional information can be found on the DDA website:
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Calling all young adult leaders (ages 18-26) who have navigated the child welfare system. Foster Care Alumni of America (FCAA) and Foster Club are seeking passionate individuals with experience in foster care system (including all out-of-home placements, facilities, kinship placements, shelters,
etc.) to join the National Foster Care Youth & Alumni Policy Council.
The council is going on 13 years of advocacy, 20 priorities and a new roundtable series that engages stakeholders from across the nation to discuss recommendations and solutions for specific topics. This is your chance to have your voice heard and advocate for positive change.
Know someone who fits the bill? Encourage them to apply!
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The Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence
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Behavior Management Tools for Foster Parents and Caregivers — Feb. 13 and 14, 9 a.m. to Noon
This training provides a foundation for understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and challenging or escalating behavior among children in out-of-home care. The training provides specific behavior management skills for caregivers to deescalate and manage behavior including trauma informed caregiving, authoritative parenting, therapeutic environments, engagement, and more.
Register Here
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Cultural Humility — Feb.22, 1 to 2:30 p.m.
This course helps you understand the child welfare experience from the perspective of the child’s parents and supports finding compassion for parents and the challenges they may be facing. Strategies to nurture children’s relationships with their parents and to integrate and maintain ongoing communication and connection between parents and children are covered.
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
Internet Safety & Warning Signs of Online Grooming
Feb. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Speaker: Nathan Lachine
Register Here
Understanding & Treating Neurodivergence
Feb. 19 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Speaker: Sally Carman
Register Here
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