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April 2025 Issue:
 A multi-sport athlete, choir member, and avid Seattle Mariners fan will be throwing the ceremonial first pitch during the April 27 Mariners game to celebrate Foster Care Month.
Tyson, 15, is the 2025 Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) First Pitch Kid, an honor given to a child or youth in out-of-home care, as part of the We Are Family Day celebration at T-Mobile Park.
“Tyson’s success is a direct reflection of the care and support provided by his caregiver. Welcoming a child or youth into your home is a big undertaking,” said Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Natalie Green. “We are so grateful for the dedicated and empathetic individuals who share their homes and their lives with our children and youth creating a space so that youth like Tyson can feel safe and loved.”
For 17 years, DCYF has partnered with the Seattle Mariners for We Are Family Day, which celebrates foster parents, kinship caregivers, the more than 4,700 foster children and youth in Washington state, and the people who support them.
We Are Family Day Tickets are available for purchase.
Agency News
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DCYF is accepting nominations for the Engaging Father Award.
This award is meant to recognize fathers who have had a successful outcome with their child welfare case. The virtual ceremony will be hosted on June 12, and the recipient will receive a prize for him and his family.
To be eligible, the father:
• Must have a child in dependency (within the past 12 months)
• Must live in Washington State
Nominations need to include the following:
• The father’s name
• Why they should be recognized
• Examples of the father demonstrating positive behavioral changes (ex: participating in the process)
Email your nominations to dcyf.recognition@dcyf.wa.gov by Wednesday, April 30, 2025.
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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.
Eligible children and caregivers 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). View last year's book.
All entries must be submitted or postmarked by April 15, 2024. Begin your application.
There are two ways to apply:
- Mail your entry to: 2024 Voices of Children Contest c/o Family Education & Support Services P.O. Box 14907 Tumwater, WA 98511
- Email your entry to kinship@familyess.org
Questions? Call 360-754-7629 or kinship@familyess.org
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Driver's Education classes fill up fast — register now for Spring/Summer 2025 lessons.
Treehouse Driver's Assistance can pay for driving courses, as well as other expenses like practice drives, testing, and missed class fees.
Register for driving school by:
- Picking a driving school in your area.
- Researching course dates and the school's registration process. Remember, classes fill up quickly so it's better to register early.
- Submitting a funding request with Driver's Assistance program.
Driver's Assistance covers more than just Driver's Education. Driver's Assistance can pay for auto insurance, roadside assistance (AAA Memberships), towing services, registration and title fees, basic car repairs, and gas cards while learning to drive.
If you have any questions or need assistance during the registration process, Treehouse is here to help at licensing@treehouseforkids.org or 206-267-5161.
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There are a variety of ways DCYF supports children, youth, and adults with developmental disabilities. General resources can be found on the DCYF Website
DCYF’s Adults with Disabilities Program Manager, Melissa Wood (melissa.wood@dcyf.wa.gov), supports DCYF staff through:
- 1:1 case consultation to review case modifications, community resources, etc.
- Trainings through The Association for Successful Parenting (TASP). Ask your DCYF caseworker to learn more.
Eligible children and youth can access Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) Home and Community Based Waivers when in a dependency proceeding. Learn how to enroll a child or youth in your care.
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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Mockingbird Family is a program rooted in connection and relationships that brings together caregivers, both community foster parents and kinship families, through micro-communities to support families and youth experiencing out-of-home care.
Within the next six months DCYF’s Mockingbird Family Program plans to launch one Constellation in each Region. The goal is to bring caregivers together to create safe, stable and supportive environments that support reunification, and connection with family, culture, and community for youth that have experienced multiple moves.
These communities, known as Constellations, bring together six to 10 foster/kinship families, located geographically close to one another. The families are supported by an experienced foster parent known as a Hub Home that provides support, mentoring, respite, and hosts monthly gatherings to connect everyone in the Constellation through an extended family/network.
If you are interested in being part of a Mockingbird Family community or want more information about the program, please fill out the inquiry form.
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There is currently at least one measles case in Washington state, and the U.S. is experiencing a measles outbreak.
Measles is highly contagious. It can live in the air for up to two hours. This means it’s possible to catch measles from an infected person without ever being in the same place at the same time. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose, red/watery eyes and a rash that begins at the face and spreads down the body
If you have symptoms of measles:
- Call your doctor’s office.
- Stay at home if you have measles. A sick person can spread measles by coughing, sneezing, breathing, or talking.
Tips for Prevention:
Resources:
If you have any questions or concerns about immunization status, reach out to your DCYF caseworker.
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The Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence
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The Autism Basics: Behaviors and Coping Strategies — April 18, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This comprehensive training aims to provide participants with valuable insights and practical strategies to support individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) throughout their developmental journey.
Register Here
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NEW! Nurturing Conversations with Children about Race — April 22, 4 to 8 p.m.
This course focuses on supporting both kinship caregivers and licensed foster parents to practice new skills, and to increase their confidence with conversations about race. This training builds on what’s learned in Parenting in Racially and Culturally Diverse Families. In this class, you will continue to explore how to create an environment where conversations about race become a normal part of home life, both proactive (you start the conversation) and responsive (when a child comes to you for support around racism).
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
TBRI: "Handling Setbacks"
April 8 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Speaker: Sherry Colomb
Register Here
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