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November 2025 Issue:
 In partnership with DCYF and Tribal Courts, the Holiday Magic program sends children and youth in foster care one gift during the holidays. Holiday Magic is now open; gifts need to be requested by Nov. 14 to arrive before the winter holidays. Gifts can be requested until Dec. 16, but these later requests will likely be delivered in early January.
Who's eligible?
Dependent children of the state of Washington who are:
- In an out-of-placement home, including tribal children who are state dependents
- Age 18 or older and participating in the Extended Foster Care/Foster Programs
- Served under the courtesy supervision and residing in another region of the state
- Served under the Interstate Compact of Children (ICPC) residing in another state
- Children placed in out of home care on a Shelter Care Order
- Children and youth under the jurisdiction of tribal court are eligible. (Treehouse will reach out to tribes)
How to Make a Request
Youth or their caregivers can submit a request online or call the registration line at 206-267-5111. Online registration is preferred.
Questions? Reach out to Kinship Care and Guardianship Program Manager, Geene Delaplane at geene.delaplane@dcyf.wa.gov.
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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.
Although the current government shutdown is not directly impacting DCYF programs or services, many benefits like SNAP are accessed by the children, youth, and families we serve.
When: 6-8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17
Speaker: DCYF Community Support Services Program Manager, Jess Stigile
Learn about the various types of short-term economic assistance available to families in Child Welfare programs and review additional basic need resources for families offered through other DCYF, state, and community-based service programs
Note: To see and register for a training, you will need to log in to your existing Alliance profile or create a new one.
Register Here
SUD Family Education Sessions: Developed with the Health Care Authority, family members, and family-led organizations. It aims to equip you with an understanding of SUD and provide helpful support strategies.
The Alliance
Alliance CaRes Newsletter
Coordinated Care
DCYF Supports and Resources
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National Adoption Month is celebrated in November each year.
For adoptive families, it’s a time to reflect on the unique journeys that led to forever bonds, honor the courage of birth families, and recognize the resilience of adopted children and youth.
It’s also an opportunity to raise awareness, share stories, and encourage others to consider adoption as a path to family. We celebrate the strength, joy, and diversity of adoptive families, and continue to walk alongside you in advocating for every child and youth’s right to a safe, stable, and loving home.
This year's National Adoption Day is Nov. 22. Many courts across the state will be observing on Nov. 20 and 21, view the full list of events. Watch DCYF's Adoption Day Video.
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Did you know that once an adoption or guardianship is finalized, your family may be eligible for transportation support for Medicaid covered health care services?
The Health Care Authority (HCA) covers nonemergency transportation through transportation brokers for eligible clients. The most common types of transportation available include public bus, taxi, wheelchair van, airplane, gas vouchers, ferry tickets, and reimbursement for vehicle mileage. If you have a child or youth with health care needs that require frequent or long-distance travel, this service may help you meet their needs. More information about this program is available online.
Note: This service is not available while the dependency case is open as DCYF can provide transportation reimbursement.
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Graduation Success is a program hosted by Treehouse that pairs youth with an Education Specialist or Coach, who provides one-on-one educational support and a connection to resources. Participants plan for high school graduation, create their own post high school goals, and build problem-solving and self-advocacy skills. Learn More
Who is eligible?
- Youth in 9th through 12th grade who have an open State, Federal, or Tribal
dependency case in Washington state.
- Youth must be pursuing a high school
diploma/GED or must have graduated
while enrolled in Graduation Success.
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Join the next Kinship Caregiver Oversight Committee (KCOC) meeting on Nov. 13 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Kinship means relatives, extended family, and friends of the family or child/youth. Whether you are licensed or unlicensed, your voice matters. This meeting is a great place to connect, learn, and share with others who care about kinship families.
Guest Speaker from Women's, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The speaker will talk about WIC benefits and how they work when a kinship caregiver becomes the placement for a child receiving WIC or if you need to apply for WIC.
You will also:
- Hear updates about state policies and local programs like TANF, SNAP, and DSHS
- Talk about challenges and share ideas
- Help improve kinship care across the state
- Meet others who understand your journey
Virtual Meeting Details
Meeting Link
Meeting ID: 833 9148 5115
Passcode: 1234
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The Alliance for Professional Development, Training, and Caregiver Excellence
Note: The Alliance has launched a new catalog system! We are excited for a platform that will make it easier for you to find the topics, trainings, and facilitators you want. To see and register for a training, you will need to complete your profile and login to the new system. Please create only one account and, when possible, use the same email as for the old system. Your certificates from the old system will be transferred to the new system. If you have questions or need help registering for the new catalog, please reach out to AllianceSupport@uw.edu.
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NEW! Pathways to Permanency: Guardianship and Adoption — Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to Noon In this session, you will deepen their understanding of the alternative permanent plans of Guardianship and Adoption in Child Welfare. You will explore common misconceptions that can occur between caseworkers and caregivers when discussing concurrent planning for children in out-of-home care. Additionally, best interest of the child will be discussed as it relates to the dimensions of permanency, and least restrictive plans. Register Here
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Kinship Parenting — Nov. 20, 1 to 3 p.m.
This webinar acknowledges the complexities associated with caring for children who are related, including: divided loyalties, redefining roles and relationships, setting boundaries with parents and other relatives, and the range of emotions including anger, resentment, guilt and/or embarrassment that caregivers can feel. Strategies for how to manage family dynamics and conflicts, identify triggers and effectively manage stress are shared. 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.
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