Briefs
Child welfare
Supporting the Birth Parent and Caregiver Relationship: Recommendations for Programs and Policies
Entry into the foster care system can be a traumatic experience for children which can have many lasting negative effects. Burgeoning state and city practices offer ideas about how we can improve the relationships between birth parents and caregivers to maintain connection and support children. Supporting the connection of birth parents and caregivers is a key area for improving systems. Establishing the Family Connection Program puts the needs of children in the center and supports families in Washington.
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Behavioral health
Systems improvements for child welfare involved parents who are impacted by substance abuse
Parents involved with the child welfare system have numerous barriers that can prevent and/or delay reunification with their children. Many parents struggle with substance use disorders (SUDs) which impact their relationships with their children and the child welfare system in a myriad of ways. In the spring of 2018, we conducted a thorough literature review and stakeholder interviews. Our goals were to understand available treatment services for parents who are child-welfare involved, barriers to accessing treatment, and to create recommendations that may improve outcomes for parents impacted by SUDs and their children.
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Behavioral health
2020 state legislative priorities
In 2020, Partners for Our Children will promote policies that keep children and relationships at the center, helping ensure that Washington’s children, youth, and famileis will have the services and support they need to thrive
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Federal policy
RECENT RULING ENABLES HHS TO DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF GENDER IDENTITY OR SEXUAL ORIENTATION; OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT UNTIL DECEMBER 19, 2019
On November 1, 2019, the Trump Administration issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would enable Health and Human Services grantees, including Child Placing Agencies, to discriminate against individuals on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. An immediate Notice of Nonenforcement of current protections was issued along with the proposed rule. The passage of this rule has the potential to reduce significantly the number of licensed foster and adoptive homes available and limit significantly the placement of LGBTQ+ children in homes affirming their identity. Public comment is accepted on the Federal Register until 12/19/19.
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Child welfare
The Indian Child Welfare Act: The Gold Standard of Child Welfare Practice
Want to learn more about The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)? We are pleased to share this research brief about ICWA, the impact of the law on reducing the number of American Indian/Alaskan Native (AIAN) Children placed in out-of-home care across the United States, and remaining disparities . To ensure we continue to improve well-being outcomes for AIAN children, a full commitment is required to implement the law as it stands.
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State policy
Partners for Our Children 2019 state policy priorities
Partners for Our Children is pleased to share our 2019 state policy priorities
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Budget
Children, Youth & Families in the Current Budget Proposals
This budget comparison was updated on April 13, 2017 and it looks at a number of items related to children, youth and families in the three different budget proposals: the Governor’s, the Senate and the House.
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Mental health
Children’s Mental Health
Providing greater access, early identification, effective and appropriate mental health services to children and youth will help reduce the need for more expensive services, such as emergency rooms and juvenile detention, and better ensure success in school and life.
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Family Visitation in the Child Welfare System
Frequent visitation between parents and their children in out-of-home care is linked to improved outcomes. Visitation also represents an untapped and vital opportunity to address child and family needs in order to improve visit quality and potentially receive a greater return on the investments made in visits each year.
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Child welfare, Poverty
The Impact of Poverty on Children and Families
Policies aimed at reducing childhood poverty can yield positive benefits for Washington in terms of improved individual and family functioning, and increased economic self-sufficiency for future generations.
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