What’s working in family support and strengthening around Washington state? See what parents and providers have to say.
Celebrating Successful Family Reunifications
Across Washington state there are parents taking child development classes, going through substance use disorder treatment, and finding jobs, housing, and transportation to strengthen their skills and create an environment where they and their children can flourish.
Last Month was Reunification Month, where DCYF celebrates parents who make significant life changes to be safe and supportive parents.
DCYF also gave a Grays Harbor County dad the 2025 Engaging Father award for his commitment to turning his life around to provide for and support his children.
“When Charles Diggle’s third child was born, he was incarcerated. As soon as he was able, he entered Family Recovery Court and began his journey to reunification. After finishing inpatient treatment and while managing other treatment, court, and family obligations, Charles supported his daughter through her complex medical issues.” Read More.
Have a story to share? Email it to Joy Lile at strengtheningfamilies@dcyf.wa.gov.
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Community Briefing: Q1 2025 Critical Incidents
DCYF leadership has finalized critical incident data for the first quarter of 2025 and are inviting community partners to a virtual briefing covering the agency’s latest findings prior to public posting and release.
Assistant Secretary of Partnership, Prevention, and Services Dr. Vickie Ybarra and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Child Welfare Dorene Perez will be presenting this information on Tuesday, July 29 from 11 to 11:45 a.m.
Register Here: https://events.gcc.teams.microsoft.com/event/9a6026d5-c34f-45c2-965e-4bb432adb69d@11d0e217-264e-400a-8ba0-57dcc127d72d
Note: This briefing will be recorded.
Washington Continues to Offer Free to Low-Cost Early Care and Education to Families in Need
As you may be aware, the federal government has announced a policy change related to several federal funding streams, including Head Start, that could impact the ability for undocumented families to access educational programs for young children.
We are still assessing the impact of this federal policy shift. However, families — regardless of their immigration status--continue to have access to the following free to low-cost child care and early learning programs offered by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF).
View this bulletin to learn more about Working Connections Childcare (WCCC) and ECEAP.
Washington State Makes it Easier for Relatives to Become Licensed Caregivers
The Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) launched new licensing standards that make it easier for relatives to become licensed caregivers, which provides additional supports to care for children and youth in foster care.
The new Kinship Licensing Standards — launched July 1 — include 50% less forms for applicants to fill out.
The new standards also established a kinship home study with less questions than the current community foster care licensing process.
Read more by visiting our What's New Blog.
Definition of Abuse or Neglect of Children and Youth
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Partnership, Prevention, and Services Division, Child Welfare division, and Licensing division revised Chapter 110-30 WAC Child Protective Services and other related rules to align with updates to the definition of “abuse or neglect” in RCW 26.44.020 Abuse of Children that went into effect on July 1, 2025. The notice of intent for permanent rule making for these revisions was filed under WSR 25-14-104 on July 1, 2025.
The emergency rule was filed under WSR 25-14-116 on July 1, 2025.
For questions about DCYF rules or to request an alternate format for this information, please contact the DCYF Rules Coordinator at dcyf.rulescoordinator@dcyf.wa.gov
Washington For All: Your One-Stop Spot for Community Resources from the Washington Office of Equity. Washington for All is a new, accessible website that connects you to resources and services available to Communities in Washington State.
Preliminary report into Indian boarding schools lays the groundwork for dismantling harmful policies: "The Attorney General’s Office (AGO), under the guidance and leadership of a Truth and Healing Tribal Advisory Committee, released a preliminary report on the history of Indian boarding schools in Washington, outlining next steps the committee and the AGO will undertake as they aim to help policymakers address the harmful legacies of these institutions." Read the full press release.
Guide By Your Side Information Packet for Families and Professionals: Washington State Hands & Voices offers family support to parents/caregivers of children who are deaf, deafblind, or hard of hearing. They are pleased to share these new resource materials for families and professionals to learn about the Guide By Your Side (GBYS) program.
Peer Blend from WA HCA: WELD supports those with legal system impacts and those in recovery from substance use and mental health. Hear from Tanya Moore, a CPC and DBHR-approved trainer as well as a certified sexuality educator. Register for Aug. 7, 9 a.m.
Drop-in: Mindful Grandparents with Diane Hetrick. An hour long monthly drop in session to cultivate mindfulness and compassion as a grandparent. Aug. 19, 10-11 a.m. (Third Tuesday of each month)
Drop-in for Parents and Caregivers: A Time of Mindfulness, Self-Compassion & Common Humanity with Shayla Collins. Parents and caregivers are invited to join a time of mindfulness, self-compassion & common humanity. Aug. 21, 7-8 p.m.
Peaks to Coast Opioid Summit: The Peaks to Coast Opioid Summit provides a unique blend of educational opportunities and networking avenues for professionals dedicated to addressing opioid and polysubstance use disorders in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Sept. 4 and 5.
Celebrate Dads on the Continuing Journey: Creating Our Path Forward. Register Now for the Seventh Annual Fatherhood Summit and Second Annual Dad Allies Awards: celebrating fathers and inviting us to create our path forward for the Washington Fatherhood Council. Sept. 18, 2025, Bethaday Community Center, Seattle.
Newly updated TeleBehavioral Health 101 series: The newly revised TeleBehavioral Health 101 series is a free, self-paced online training designed to help behavioral health professionals deliver effective care through telehealth.
Healing Relationships: The Power of Restorative Parenting Practices. In this session on restorative skills and resilient parenting, participants will delve into the transformative power of restorative justice practices (RJPs) in building positive, thriving relationships within families, schools, and communities. A guidebook is also available.
Centering Fathers to Advance Justice with Carol Mitchell from Community In-Site. Carol is a seasoned attorney, social justice advocate, and founder of the Institute for Black Justice (IBJ), a DCYF Prevention Partner.
2025 Prevention Awards of Excellence: The awards recognize professionals, community members, youth, and Coalitions for their exemplary contributions to substance abuse prevention, problem gambling prevention, mental health promotion, and the health of their communities. Nominations due July 31.
Nominations for the 2025 Celebrate Dads and Dad Allies Awards are Now Open! We will gather on Sept. 19 to celebrate our second annual Dad Allies award recipients at our mini summit. The event will recognize fathers and allies who promote the positive impact fathers have on their children, family and communities.
Provider survey on perinatal mental health services: Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and Department of Health (DOH) are conducting a short survey to better understand Washington’s perinatal mental health workforce – professionals who provide care during pregnancy and up to one year after birth.
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