[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6387445,"mediaKeyId","2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2","parentId",2116562,"title","Parents for Parents program: evaluation shows higher reunification; state funding request included in governor's budget","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2936715,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2&start=2936&end=2936","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2/thumbnail_2936715.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6387445/Washington/Parents-for-Parents-program-evaluation-shows-higher-reunification-state-funding-request-included-in-governors-budget","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387445-9f6490e2f7551dd7a5c012418ec72a80/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177745&Signature=O5D90DBcqsZo1S48-VCYYNUwBsy-sbUIR-pdkS8Wzy3ED0DccvTqo4Yq1rDZQPd4O6WTZHMYUeKu7yzUVpljfmIRkjouVl33ElaFAB04zOecqiV6JBDstDLnxXXc7h86PUSP3qWWcVTXYpc4OP4nW2nvETo2KmftOa0a2eqT1Ge3sp~m2GmrUBsjxxD-M7n2QgGX6AsZTPmC43cf9VsLent9QN4sYe4iykaewJRYmhm88HjUCeNb2lkbIjHzybAISMpH8Hv8LTwR8WQ5h-nVdiE6zIxRU1sxV25kuACl14frxeu5167gtD0JFfxCp8~rhn5ZpL8gFO9nX63LIMDvIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","House Early Learning & Human Services ","date","2025-01-15T00:00:00Z","article","Heather Kanza Mesa and Ambrosia Eberhardt, representing Parents for Parents (P4P), described the peer‑mentor program that provides court support, a one‑time dependency‑101 class and ongoing mentoring for parents navigating dependency cases.

P4P is statutory (RCW 2.7.060 was cited) and operates through contracted nonprofit host organizations coordinated by a statewide office that provides training, fidelity supports and quality assurance. Mesa said P4P services are available to parents at any point during a child‑welfare dependency case and that parent allies are parents with lived experience who have successfully navigated dependency and reunified.

Mesa summarized evaluation findings: a 2020 quasi‑experimental study across three counties found that 70% of parents who attended the dependency‑101 class reunified compared with 53% of parents who did not attend. Parents who received the full P4P model (class, mentoring and support groups) had a 79% reunification rate versus 53% for nonparticipants. Mesa said a cost‑savings analysis with Casey Family Programs estimated that every dollar invested in P4P returns about $3.22 in government savings, driven largely by reduced adoption subsidy costs.

The presenters said current baseline funding covers a portion of statewide operations but that the governor’s proposed budget includes an additional $2.5 million over the biennium (bringing total recommended funding to about $5.3 million) to expand reach and technical assistance. Committee members asked about funding breakdowns and how funds are passed through to host organizations; P4P staff said roughly 64% of current funds are passed through to hosting organizations and that three staff provide statewide technical assistance and oversight.

Why it matters: Peer‑led engagement programs that increase reunification rates can produce short‑term fiscal savings and reduce family disruption; the committee received evaluation results and a specific budget ask for expansion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Early Learning & Human Services - 1/15/2025 1:30 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Parents for Parents (P4P) coordinators told the committee that the P4P peer‑mentor and dependency‑101 model improves engagement and reunification, citing a 2020 quasi‑experimental evaluation and a cost‑benefit analysis; the governor’s budget includes an increase to expand statewide coverage.","taxTitle","Human Services, Youth, & Early Learning, House of Representatives, Legislative Sessions, Washington","taxId",20264,"location","Washington","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6387450,"Mockingbird Society urges expansion of family‑hub model, housing and higher EFC payments",634,2264275,2898325,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2&start=2264&end=2898","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2/thumbnail_2264275.jpg","/articles/6387450/Washington/Mockingbird-Society-urges-expansion-of-familyhub-model-housing-and-higher-EFC-payments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387450-d667854a80ae26465bcd057582b98df4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177745&Signature=nJa9D2Wl5ldTe0BP4RHqBjHr0yduH3rT9AqNjPMDcWd2-yvGk8DR~IIEHl2eNOHUEBHms0W90wmjevc-jRQeq7RIfoalTE8fTaPwhkSV8Jbm55s75wyBpXCwSvMevvaVezJOLT3oVKkl~vBTvN7S9-1xHCXKPWKsKeNtNPPavQPHQY0Uu~D66vYaiLw8w7o58H6wty~WrFf2N2TFApyJbg7iWqcxuo6IjGgeM-TO5IsmqM3dmAzWaBFbPyWvtpqvz-up7kxQlpZJ6YedMmvkZZMASBw2DCl0aKK984p8FbDqX-HY7OBj7jTrb5HYS~1qZdkMXcf2LOwNc2u~oNkuRg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Samuel Martin, lobbyist for the Mockingbird Society and a person with lived experience, presented the Mockingbird Family hub‑home model and policy priorities voiced by youth advocates.

Martin described the Mockingbird Family model as interconnected micro communities: each constellation links 6–10 geographically proximate foster or kinship families and roughly 6–18 youth, creating shared hub homes, respite and peer supports. He said there are six active constellations in Washington and expanded use of the model is part of compliance and service‑improvement strategies under the state’s settlement agreements.

Youth leaders identified transition supports as a priority. Martin said young people requested financial‑capability interventions beginning at about age 14 (bank accounts, financial literacy coursework and modest monthly allowances), peer‑to‑peer mentorship, and greater access to permanent supportive housing for young people with high needs. He said federal chronic‑homelessness definitions and prioritization practices sometimes exclude younger people who need long‑term supportive units.

Martin reviewed the extended foster care (EFC) history: pilot programs, system assessment work in 2023 and legislative changes. He noted that Senate Bill 5230 (an earlier proposal) did not pass but that later action (Senate Bill 5098) removed several barriers to EFC eligibility. Martin said current supervised independent living payments (about $861 monthly) are inadequate for youth and that advocates are pursuing an increase in state funding. He also said approximately 15% of young people in EFC (about 143 youth) were experiencing homelessness and urged housing supports for that population.

Why it matters: Transition‑age youth leaving foster care are at elevated risk of homelessness and unstable employment. Advocates urged a combination of housing, financial supports and peer mentorship to improve outcomes and reduce long‑term costs.","The Mockingbird Society described the Hub‑Home (Mockingbird Family) model, youth priorities including financial literacy, peer supports, housing for transition‑age youth and changes to extended foster care payments and eligibility.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6387452,"Providers warn of liability‑insurance crisis and rate shortfalls for foster‑care services",423,1756045,2179370,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2&start=1756&end=2179","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2/thumbnail_1756045.jpg","/articles/6387452/Washington/Providers-warn-of-liabilityinsurance-crisis-and-rate-shortfalls-for-fostercare-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387452-333ddff892030f90cbed9e15c2533b9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177745&Signature=W7ls3hLMQP6ir2eX3abHgK3IItyYMeozpLUH8WEkEAKYNyCBM2lidRwp~08qUU4RGeCR5fCGd8G~bxj3CZ2CiTJGh4rVwAjoWYLow4AThoFVBnYRqsakxWX8f3d7D~UKe8T7MRnu7nPVz00dCucJ4f0B3Qbfkyk6eQK3f55hyj5oZ2HvTxGbrHpGmjkHpu~a-DPFTd2EveK5~RBZGSrqe9BvwnAdBP9WPTBsIArIulBOjy4vb-Y2aNtdhDvgktFJXGnfoa7ZVIzkACeRcapdnXpgaDpglm8ghi~n5wMYAOanQLB7~iu6ALyqx15Ss~Zj4TQa1PIYhb0Q9GlBFLqQ6g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jill May, executive director of the Washington Association for Children and Families, told the committee that provider agencies face an urgent mix of rising insurance costs and reimbursement rates that do not cover actual expenses.

May said agencies are reimbursed at levels that fall well short of current costs. She gave two examples: a health‑insurance reimbursement rate of roughly $42,100 per person versus an average actual cost of about $88,100, and liability insurance costs that now average around $66,000 annually. May said many child‑placing agencies are small — most employ far fewer than 100 people — and cannot absorb those costs.

The association described a national market change: a single insurer in California that had covered many child‑placing agencies withdrew coverage for about 75% of those agencies, and May said the same insurer also writes policies in Washington. May said the number of insurers willing to cover child‑placing agencies has dropped; she estimated as few as three willing insurers remain.

Because insurers are offering limits that sometimes do not meet state required amounts, May said some agencies have been given grace periods to find new coverage and face potential closure if they cannot secure replacement policies. The association said increased claim frequency and higher payouts related to abuse claims are driving rate increases and shrinking market capacity. May asked the committee to note that liability insurance availability, not only reimbursement rates, is a critical constraint for the system.

May described WACF’s training institute for member agencies, provider priorities (independent living rate stability; family preservation rate stability) and the association’s advocacy work with DCYF and the Office of the Insurance Commissioner.

Why it matters: Private agencies license foster homes, deliver in‑home and group services, and handle many operational responsibilities for child welfare. A failure of the provider market would reduce available placements and supports for families and children.","The Washington Association for Children and Families and member agencies told the committee that rising liability and health‑insurance costs, low reimbursement rates and shrinking insurer participation threaten the stability of child‑placing agencies and foster‑care providers.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6387458,"State child-welfare agency outlines prevention-first model, home visiting and caseflow data",1486,53371,1539940,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2&start=53&end=1539","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2116562-f649ac17d891134a65ce8c637503cdb2/thumbnail_53371.jpg","/articles/6387458/Washington/State-child-welfare-agency-outlines-prevention-first-model-home-visiting-and-caseflow-data","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6387458-0bacc164c2561333094eb6a26fce0a39/orig.mp4?Expires=1771177745&Signature=mBeMPbsfZITG9d5~6~rlOWi9UsnifVQNIXFuCpgH62Jflbr5WIo7dXbonUlcF6VRlFeDEKE6xRgu1vV9BYqTSEcXLLHWbdqIeWGZnB4ehm4AtJf01Ss-a5Drf83s8y31TDDxJ0a3Oi5izQjqRwbhCYvSAOcPZw8J5hIiPXBvHF22cF7PSr0SkHXbvCShRB1poVHjKiQLo4G6dhY9os5gcH7rNC5AAevf92HeJ~JUSRqcxW5e0FBmAQUD4OiFyFSVGgtkvgAvO3NF6V-5nfFsmjA9YSNJGJNZVhX28-XeY6L7xcplFHys4AZS7XAYahhn~aqUirVGoQLErg8iohfEMQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julie Watts, senior policy adviser at the Washington Department of Children, Youth and Families, told the House Human Services, Youth & Early Learning Committee that the agency organizes child-welfare work around prevention and a stepped response to family need.

Watts said DCYF’s prevention framework has three tiers: universal supports (for example, early learning access), targeted secondary prevention such as home‑visiting for high‑risk families, and tertiary prevention that consists of a child-protective services response when there are safety concerns. “Prevention is really what we aim for when it comes to providing child‑welfare services,” Watts said.

The department provides voluntary home‑visiting services delivered by community providers, Watts said, and serves about 3,000 families statewide; roughly 14% of caregivers in the program are under age 20. Watts described the plan of safe care pathway for pregnant people using substances and for substance‑exposed infants, saying the program aims to connect families with community supports so infants can safely return home without formal child‑welfare intervention when appropriate.

Watts described family reconciliation services (FRS), a voluntary service intended to resolve conflicts that might otherwise lead to youth running away or out‑of‑home placement. She said DCYF is pursuing legislation and budget requests to expand community delivery of FRS but that those requests were not included in the governor’s most recent budget due to broader fiscal constraints.

On the investigative side, Watts summarized DCYF screening and response: the department receives roughly 130,000 requests for intervention per year, of which about 118,000 screen in as potential reports and only around 40% of those require a face‑to‑face response (either child protective services or a family assessment response). Watts said only about 2% of all calls result in children being placed out of home. When a case does proceed, DCYF provides in‑person safety assessments and works with families to develop safety plans and case plans.

Watts also outlined the court process for dependency cases (shelter care, fact‑finding, disposition and periodic review), and described statutory placements such as protective custody and the 72‑hour temporary hold that can precede a shelter‑care hearing. She noted that shelter‑care hearings can be continued and that fact‑finding hearings should occur within 90 days but often are delayed by continuances and court backlogs.

The department noted a recent trend toward fewer children in out‑of‑home care: since 2018 Washington has seen a 35.6% decrease in foster‑care entries through 2023, a trend Watts said is consistent with national patterns. Watts also cited the Keeping Families Together Act (effective July 1, 2023) as legislation intended to reduce foster‑care entries and to increase placements with relatives when out‑of‑home care is needed.

Committee members pressed Watts about racial disproportionality. Representative (Ortiz) Sal asked how many families of color access prevention services compared with their rate of screening in; she said the disparity in referrals and system involvement is long‑standing and must be addressed. Watts acknowledged multiple contributing factors—differential referral rates at point of contact, implicit bias within the system, and higher poverty rates in many Black and brown communities—and said the department has trainings and strategies under way. She said she would provide the committee with more detailed materials that DCYF prepared during the interim.

The presentation closed with Watts noting an increase in kinship placements and licensed relatives, which she said allows DCYF to provide foster‑care maintenance payments to support relatives who care for children.

Why it matters: DCYF described a prevention‑first paradigm and provided the committee with numbers that show most interventions do not result in foster‑care placement. Lawmakers pressed the department on equity, service access and how program design and intake affect racial disproportionality.","Julie Watts of the Department of Children, Youth and Families told the Human Services, Youth & Early Learning committee that the department prioritizes prevention (universal, targeted and tertiary), described home visiting and family services, and presented data on referrals, screening and foster-care entries.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents for Parents program: evaluation shows higher reunification; state funding request included in governor's budget

Mockingbird Society urges expansion of family‑hub model, housing and higher EFC payments

Providers warn of liability‑insurance crisis and rate shortfalls for foster‑care services

State child-welfare agency outlines prevention-first model, home visiting and caseflow data