SERVICES

News Archive

May 7, 2012
Important Notice to All Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers
Governor Gregoire announced Washington has declared the outbreak of Whooping Cough (Pertussis) an epidemic, with more than 1,100 cases reported in the state so far. Please read this Important Notice to All Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers.

May 1, 2012
May is National Foster Care Month
Read the letter from Denise Revels Robinson, Assistant Secretary, Children's Administration

April 26, 2012
You may be called for the Foster Parent Survey. Read more...

February 10, 2012
Adoption Tax Credit Awareness Day
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, the North American Council on Adoptable Children and the National Resource Centers are forwarding information to states to help support the Adoption Tax Credit Awareness Day, set for Monday, February 13th. Please help us distribute information to families in your area who have adopted. Read more...

January 2, 2012
New information on policies about mandated reporting of child abuse and neglect are available. Please go here: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/safety/abuseReport.asp?2

November 15, 2011
Medicaid supplies for foster parents
Does your foster child over age 3 still need diapers? Do you need a wheelchair or other medical supplies for your foster child? Caregivers can discuss any needs for periodic or on-going supplies, services, or equipment to meet the child's health conditions with the child's medical provider. Learn more...

October 27, 2011
Do you have a child placed in your home who requires the use of non-sterile gloves as part of their daily care? If so, read more...

October 14, 2011
The Medicaid Purchasing Agency (MPA)and ProviderOne has a helpful new website for caregivers who need to locate a Medicaid provider for the children placed in their home. Just enter the town/county/clinic name and enter search. You will also be able to search by specialty. Thanks to ProviderOne for making our caregiver's job just a little bit easier! Go to the website to find a provider...

October 13, 2011
Improvements to Caregiver Training
Children's Administration, in collaboration with FPAWS (Foster Parent Association of Washington State), developed a workgroup to identify training improvement needs for caregivers. The new Caregiver Training Policy will be implemented on October 15th, 2011. Read more...

October 13, 2011
Questions, Concerns about Children's Administration Supplemental Budget Reduction Options
Foster parents and relative caregivers recently asked some questions about Children's Administration and the state budget. Children's Administration Assistant Secretary Denise Revels Robinson provides answers here.

September 23, 2011
CHILD Profile
CHILD Profile is Washington State's Health Promotion and Immunization Registry system. The system helps ensure Washington's kids get the preventive health care they need.

The CHILD Profile website has links to age specific health and developmental materials. These materials can be printed and shared with foster parents and caregivers.

September 1, 2011
Nominations for regional representatives to the Children’s Administration Foster Parent Consultation Work Team (also known at the “1624 Teams”) will happen soon. Please consider nominating a foster parent from your area who is interested in helping shape services for Washington’s children in foster care. Watch your e-mail for nomination forms coming within the next week. Read more...

August 31, 2011
Limits have been placed on the number of yearly non-emergent visits to emergency rooms by those who receive Medicaid. Those limits do not apply to children in foster care or children who have an open case with Children's Administration and are being cared for by relatives. Read more...

July 15, 2011
Transporting foster children
Foster parents who volunteer to transport foster children need to complete two forms for travel reimbursement. Read more...

June 28, 2011
CA meetings with foster parents and relative caregivers
CA seeks your input on two significant initiatives - unified home study and retention and recruitment contracts. Read more...

June 23, 2011
The voice of caregivers is important, especially during court hearings when decisions are made about the children in your care. If you can't attend a court hearing, you can submit a Caregiver's Report to the Court.

June 6, 2011
Crib Safety Standards
Crib safety standards will change effective June 28, 2011 per the federal Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008. Read more...

June 2, 2011
Keeping Brothers and Sisters Connected
A tip card has been created by Children's Administration to remind caregivers and social workers of the importance of keeping siblings connected when they are placed apart in out-of-home care. The card will also help track sibling contacts. Read more...

June 2, 2011
The College Success Foundation has announced that registration for Make It Happen! 2011 is now open for youth in care who are currently in 11th or 12th grade and interested in learning about college.
Youth will experience college life by attending workshops, participating in fun activities, and living in the dorms at Pacific Lutheran University for four days and three nights, July 6-9. Transportation to and from Make It Happen will be provided.
For more information and access to an application: www.collegesuccessfoundation.org/makeithappen

February 26, 2011
Free Early Learning Programs for Children Birth through Age 4
Early Learning Resources for children in your care are available to many caregivers. Learn more...

January 12, 2011
Educational Advocacy Workshops
Do you have a youth who is struggling in school? Do you wish you could help more? Treehouse can help! Read more...

June 16, 2011
Youth who attend Make It Happen! are twice as likely to enroll in college
There are approximately 30 more slots left for foster youth at the annual Make It Happen! event. Read more on the Independence for Foster Youth website…

December 2010
Electron Boy - A Superhero for our Times
Erik Martin has always wanted to be a superhero, and Make-A-Wish Foundation granted him that wish. Read more...

November 8, 2010
Camp To Belong creates strong bonds for foster children
Camp To Belong, a camp to bring separated siblings together during the summer, has received a great review from The Olympian. Read the article about this collaboration between Children's Administration and our private agency partner, Foster Family Connections.

October 20, 2010
Local sellers watching inventory after baby deaths prompt stroller recall, King 5 News

October 14, 2010
Fostering Well-Being Program
Fostering Well-Being is a collaborative effort between Medicaid Purchasing Administration and Children’s Administration. It uses a person-centered health model to address the comprehensive healthcare needs of children in out-of-home placement.
Watch the video (14 min 17 sec) - Windows Media | Real Player

October 12, 2010
Camp to Belong
Are you caring for a child who is placed separately from their siblings? Camp to Belong is an opportunity for your child to build and strengthen sibling ties.
Watch the video (7 min 30 sec)

August 5, 2010
Grief and Loss Coping Strategies for Foster Parents
Read the fact sheet

July 29, 2010
Performance Based Contracting Meetings with Foster Parents and Relatives
Letter from Tammy Cordova, Interim Director Program & Practice Improvement Division

June 30, 2010
Meetings on Performance Based Contracting
Letter from Denise Revels Robinson, Assistant Secretary Children's Administration

July 29, 2010
Performance Based Contracting Meetings with Foster Parents and Relatives
Letter from Tammy Cordova, Interim Director Program & Practice Improvement Division

June 30, 2010
Meetings on Performance Based Contracting
Letter from Denise Revels Robinson, Assistant Secretary Children's Administration

March 25, 2010
Camp To Belong
Kids separated from their brothers and sisters due to out-of-home care have a great opportunity to connect at Camp To Belong this summer. Read more...

March 24, 2010
Infantino recalls more than 1 million baby slings, CNNMoney.com

March 12, 2010
Staff Directories
At the request of foster parents who serve on the Foster Parent Consultation Team, Children's Administration posted staff directories for each of the regions and some of the offices. You can also find the link to this information in the right hand column of this page. We hope you find this helpful.

March 4, 2010
Transportation Reimbursement
Children's Administration has clarified its policies regarding transportation reimbursement to caregivers. There are two things you need to know:

• You may submit a retroactive claim for transportation expenses not already reimbursed for the period of July 1, 2009 and January 31, 2010. This claim must be submitted by April 15, 2010.
• You may submit transportation expenses under the new policy using the regular process from February 2010 onward.

Caregiver Monthly Mileage Form

Caregiver Checklist

Urgent Caregiver Transportation and Mileage Protocol, Memo from Becky Smith, Field Operations Division

January 13, 2010
Are You Ready?
This video will assist you to prepare your home and family for unexpected disasters. Take a few minutes out of your day to learn what you need to know to be ready. You will be glad you did!
Watch the video (Windows Media, 3 min 23 sec)