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Spring 2025 Issue:
 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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In an effort to increase language accessibility and make this content available to more people, you will now be receiving two versions of this email, one in English and one in Spanish.
• Seattle Aquarium: Free for 2 caregiving adults and up to 6 children living in the same household.
• Woodland Park Zoo: $5 Discover Ticket is available for foster and kinship families.
• Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium: $6 Wild Access Ticket and discounted memberships for foster and kinship families.
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While RA was incarcerated, his son was removed from his biological mother. During incarceration, and after his release, RA addressed and managed his sobriety, learned new parenting skills, learned how to have healthy relationships with friends and partners, found and maintained housing, employment, and transportation all in an effort to reunite with his son.
RA worked to become a safe parent for his son for four years, even the providers he worked with were huge advocates. RA's social workers, both DCYF and OPD were especially diligent in ensuring that he and his son had transportation to and from appointments and school and found them safe housing. There were many times that the social workers carved time out of their day to make sure RA and his son got to where they needed to be. Another social worker spent extra time studying with RA so that eventually he was able to pass the driving test.
RA never misses the chance to brag about his son — his apartment walls are adorned with his artwork and school projects. RA and his son's lives have changed drastically since beginning this journey. RA remains sober and happy in stable housing and has been working jobs that he likes. His life revolves around his son or as he likes to call him, his "best friend."
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For the last four years, the Washington Fatherhood Council has hosted Community Cafes for fathers across the state.
The goal of these events is to lift up the voices of fathers, engage community providers, and gather around the council's Father-Friendly Principles.
These events help lay the community groundwork for positive change that expands the capacity for men to become the fathers they want to be for their children and families.
Upcoming Dates:
- For Benton & Franklin County Dads - Saturday, April 12, 9 a.m. to Noon
- For Yakima County Dads - Saturday, April 26, 9 a.m. to Noon
- For Dads on the Peninsula - Saturday, May 3, 9 a.m. to Noon
Visit the Community Cafes webpage to register.
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Fathers play an important role in every child's life. This role has an impact on a child's growth and helps shape their personality and development. An engaged father promotes healthy personal and interpersonal growth in children and youth and helps to instill an overall sense of well-being and security, while also providing a fundamental child developmental need of being a provider and protector.
DCYF's Engaging Fathers project focuses on engaging fathers with children in the child welfare system. DCYF provides helpful resources and information about parenting that can empower a father to navigate the child welfare system successfully.
Fathers are the other half of a child's biological identity and heritage. Building positive relationships benefit everybody involved and can develop a sense of connection and family during what can feel like a stressful transitional experience for a child and a father.
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