Caregiver Connection | January 2026

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caregiver connection

Janaury 2026 Issue:


Former Spokane Foster Youth Pursues Career in Social Work

young women studying, taking notes and looking at laptop

The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) is a national program available to support foster youth in continuing their education. With assistance from this program, Aubrey Shuman graduated from Eastern Washington University with her social work degree.

“It’s very easy to feel alone when you are in foster care,” Shuman said. “It feels like you are the only one going through what you're going through and it’s hard to ask for help. It makes it easier when programs like ETV are offering and providing help. It’s essential for foster youth to have at least one pillar of support.”

Read Aubrey’s full story and learn more about the program.

Applications for 2026-2027 are open. To learn more about the program, eligibility, and to apply, please visit the ETV webpage or feel free to email ETVWash@dcyf.wa.gov.

To meet the priority deadline, you must apply by April 30, 2026. Applications received after April 30 will be added to a wait list and awarded as funds are available.

Receiving caregiver communications in Spanish?

To make messaging more accessible for all, DCYF sends all caregiver related communications in Spanish.

If you would like to be removed from the Spanish distribution list, please respond to this email.


Evenflo Car Seat Recall

74,000 car seats recalled because of safety concerns. Learn More


Event and Training Resources

SUD Family Education Sessions

The Alliance 

Alliance CaRes Newsletter

Coordinated Care

DCYF Supports and Resources 


Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) Made Simple

Young family with their sons at home having fun

Big news: We’ve rolled out a brand-new Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) FAQ — your ultimate guide to GAP. 

Whether you’re a GAP newbie or a seasoned pro, this is your one-stop shop for quick guidance.

Got feedback or ideas for future resources kinship or guardianship? We’re all ears!

Please reach out to geene.delaplane@dcyf.wa.gov.


Office of Immunization Notice: Immediate Removal of Phone Number

Childhood vaccination. Asian young woman doctor vaccinating little girl

Please remove the phone number 833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357) from your records. If you see this number being used by one of our partners, please ask them to remove it.

Although the Office of Immunization previously used this number, it is no longer associated with our agency and is now owned by a different entity. Unfortunately, this entity is attempting to scam or obtain personal information from callers. In at least one instance, a caller was quoted a fee to receive their vaccination record.

Please use the following number instead: 1-866-397-0337.

Thank you for helping us safeguard the public and ensure communities can access reliable, no-cost immunization information. If you have questions or would like to report continued use of the former number, please contact us at OI@doh.wa.gov.


Updates Regarding Monthly Caregiver Payments

filling form online, questionnaire survey

Caregivers who don’t use direct deposit must complete and submit a provider registration form by May 1, 2026.

You have two options for submitting the forms:

Additionally, the direct deposit forms listed on the SSPS Main Menu with the revised date of Oct. 17, 2023, are outdated, and OFM will stop accepting them at the end of this year. Ensure you are using the forms directly from the OFM website for secure electronic submission via DocuSign.™

Note: Once notified of completion, DocuSign™ will automatically submit the forms. Please do not send PDF copies of electronically submitted forms.

To manually complete the forms, print, sign with a blue or black pen, scan to a PDF, and submit to: supplierforms@ofm.wa.gov.

Note: PDF forms with a stamped, inserted, or electronic signature will not be accepted. Forms with information crossed out or in white-out will not be accepted.


Monthly Caregiver Trainings and Special Events

Happy boy getting a kiss by caring mother, bonding and laughing during family time at home.

The Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence

  • Nurturing Conversations with Children about Race — Jan. 26, 9:30 a.m. to 2 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 
  • Trauma-Informed Parenting — Jan. 29, 9 a.m. to Noon
    This course helps participants learn the three Rs (Regulate, Relate, Reason) and other practical trauma-informed parenting strategies. Participants will learn to recognize the importance of finding activities to have fun with children; recognize the importance of connected parenting and the relationship as the foundational cornerstone; understand how to promote healthy behaviors; and recognize the importance of a parent’s self-regulation. Register Here

    Learn about all the upcoming classes.
    Sign up to get these notices sent right to your inbox or explore the training calendar.

Check out the Alliance CaRes website and sign up for the monthly newsletter that includes regional and local activities.