News
Coronavirus outbreak at Seattle teen group home raises questions about quarantine plans
June 21st, 2020 Pioneer Youth Center — Spruce Street, an 18-bed group home where they were living, took the kids to Seattle Children’s, where they tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Full article here.
Emergency placements of children deemed not safe at home spike in Washington
May 26, 2020, the Spokesman-Review A growing number of Washington’s foster children spent nights in hotels and state offices in the first three months of the year, and child advocates fear the problem could grow during the coronavirus pandemic. Social workers had 573 emergency placements in the first quarter of the year, compared to 371 […]
Coronavirus adds to suffering of foster children in King County
By Naomi Ishisaka Seattle Times columnist Children in foster care are some of the most vulnerable people in our society. They experience the same coronavirus anxiety and fear as everyone else, but for them, it’s coupled with being separated from their families. Column here.
Advocacy
Washington organizations urge Congress to act swiftly to address impacts on children and families caused by the Covid-19 pandemic
Washington organizations are among more than 570 national, state and local organizations that are urging Congress for emergency child welfare support to address the COVID-19 crisis. Read letter here. Children’s Home Society of WashingtonFaith Action Network – Washington StateFoster Parent Allies of Washington StateLegal Counsel for Youth and ChildrenMakah Tribal Council Seniors ProgramMakah Tribal Kinship ProgramParent […]
Letter from Secretary Ross Hunter of Washington’s Department of Children, Youth, and Families to Congressional Delegation
In this letter, Sec Hunters outlines recommends areas in need of federal stimulus, including: Social Service Block Grant (SSBG) increase of $100 million for Washington State Resources to serve older youth in Extended Foster Care (EFC) The purchase of concrete goods, such as reliable technology for brth parents, foster parents, caregivers, service providers and others […]