A Washington resident via Our Tomorrows Story Project shares the following message:
“I had my new baby in June and it has been really hard adjusting to having three kids. I also do not drive, so getting back and forth to doctor appointments and the grocery store with a newborn and the other kids was really hard.
When we went to our first WIC appointment, I was having a really hard time and everything caught up with me. My WIC counselor was so patient and nice to me and just let me talk everything out and cry. She connected me to some different groups that could help me meet other moms and not feel so alone.
Being a single mom is really lonely and overwhelming, and I felt supported when she took the time to see me and help me and not just process my WIC and send me out.”
Have a story to share? Email it to Joy Lile at strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Need Help Paying for Child Care?
You may qualify for free or low-cost child care through Washington state’s Child Care Subsidy program. It’s available to more families than ever, and signing up is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
If you qualify, you’ll pay no more than $165 a month. Some families pay nothing at all!
Apply online or by phone. Visit www.dcyf.wa.gov/childcare or call 844-626-8687. Help is available by phone in multiple languages.
Help spread the word! Pass this on to a family you know.
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Child Abuse and Neglect Definition Update
As of July 1, one of DCYF’s primary child welfare WACs, WAC 110-30-0030: Abuse or neglect of children and youth, which shares the definition of abuse and neglect will be updated.
Changes include:
- Expanding the definition to include human trafficking and female genital mutilation.
- Reorganization and language updates to make the definition easier to understand.
These changes were made as a result of Senate Bill 6006 and 5453 which changed legal definitions of child abuse and neglect to include both human trafficking and female genital mutilation.
If you have any questions about this change, please reach out to the Policy and Rules Office at dcyf.policyteam@dcyf.wa.gov.
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New Juvenile Rehabilitation Facility Opens in WA State
DCYF welcomed the first cohort of eight young men to Harbor Heights, the state’s newest juvenile rehabilitation facility.
The new facility opened earlier this month.
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Talking Race With Young Children: Even babies notice differences like skin color, eye shape, and hair texture. Here's how to handle conversations about race, racism, diversity, and inclusion, even with very young children (20-minute listen).
Native Project expands with new campus to support youth and families: The opening of The Native Project's new facility marked a significant milestone in expanding culturally grounded health and wellness services for Native communities in the Spokane area.
Online training for Family Initiated Treatment (FIT): An online training designed to empower parents and family members with the knowledge and skills to navigate the FIT service effectively.
Strengthening Families through Recovery: Lessons from Kentucky's Family Recovery Court: This session will explore how Jefferson County’s cross-system collaboration is transforming outcomes for families impacted by substance use and involved in the child welfare system. Monday, June 30, 3 to 4:30 p.m. ET
BUILD 2025 Request for Session Proposals (RFP): The BUILD Initiative is now accepting proposals for sessions at BUILD25, happening Dec. 2-4, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. We are seeking proposals from experts in the field to lead engaging and informative sessions. If you, or someone you know, is interested in presenting, we encourage you to submit a proposal by July 1.
2025 Build Initiative Training Institutes: Choose from an array of workshops and presentations on cutting-edge research, and innovative programs, services, and practices all focused on improving outcomes and building bright futures for youth. Trainings and conference run from July 6–10 in National Harbor, Maryland.
Under the Surface: Confronting Access to Safe and Stable Housing for Families with Young Children from Build Initiative. July 10, 2-3:30 p.m. ET. The conversation will explore the intersection of housing and early childhood systems, underscoring the importance of safe, stable housing as an essential element of a child’s healthy start in life.
The Growing Brain Virtual Training of Trainers: Engage in a guided self-study of the curriculum, have in-depth discussions about content with a ZERO TO THREE faculty, brainstorm with other adult educators about strategies for delivery, and create activities that meet the learning needs of the early childhood professionals you support. Aug. 6–8, $549, virtual.
Facilitating the Touchpoints Parenting Program: The Touchpoints Parenting Program (TPP) is a practical, preventive curriculum designed to foster positive parent-child relationships. Aug. 19–21 and Aug. 26–28. $895.
Young People With Lived Experience in Foster Care Recommend Improvements for Mental Health Support: A new brief for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation’s Foster Youth Initiative includes recommendations from young people who’ve experienced foster care on how to improve mental health care.
HCA: MyWABenefits launched 6/4. Clients can now register for an account at MyWABenefits and have access to important information about their benefits, including food, cash and Apple Health Classic Medicaid. This easy-to-use website can be accessed in English, Spanish or Russian.
A New Resource for Perinatal Families: The IMAGINE Study is a pilot program designed to explore how digital peer support groups can help pregnant and postpartum people feel better emotionally and improve their overall well-being.
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