The feedback on the first draft of the new WACs for Kinship Licensing Standards is in. We received responses from a diverse group of caregivers, thank you to everyone who participated! 

• More than 265 people completed the online survey
  • 23% self-identified as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC)
• 75 people participated in the live sessions
  • 27 Kinship Caregivers
  • 20 Child Placing Agency Staff (including Eight Tribal CPA’s)
  • 45% of caregivers that participated in the virtual sessions identified as BIPOC​

Takeaways from the feedback included recommendations to:

• Evaluate what information must be in a WAC and what can be in supporting materials​
• Train and support staff in carrying out the intention of the WACs​
• Bolster kin rights and be more explicit about available supports​
• Provide caregivers supplemental materials to understand their rights and responsibilities​

The team is now considering all of the feedback they have received and are revising and refining the proposed Kinship WAC, preparing for public review in Dec. 2024.

If you have any questions, contact the project team at dcyf.kinshipfeedback@dcyf.wa.gov

Join the KCOC for their next meeting featuring an update on Kinship Licensing Standards. 

KCOC is a collective of community partners that support and strengthen kinship families.

They meet monthly, providing a forum to exchange information about state policy changes, local initiatives, and concerns and monitor, guide, and report on kinship care recommendations and implementation activities.

Next Meeting: 

Sept. 12 from 1 to 3 p.m. 

Meeting Link

Meeting ID: 833 9148 5115
Passcode: 1234

DCYF received an emergent referral regarding a youth who was recently dependent again after their adoptive parents were unable to meet their mental health/behavioral needs. The youth had been in several behavioral inpatient units prior to being discharged to a group home.

The youth expressed multiple times to their assigned caseworker their desire to be with family and have permanency.

Case workers contacted several adoptive and biological relatives and were able to engage with three of them who wanted to build connections and be a support for the youth. Case workers also located a maternal biological aunt who was willing to be placement again for the youth. She was aware the placement might be challenging but was still willing to give it a try. The youth connected with the aunt the day after case workers were able to make contact and remains placed there.