Washington DCYF Settles Foster Care Class Action Lawsuit & Will Adopt New Foster Care Models

On June 6, 2022, the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) settled a federal class action lawsuit about placement instability in the foster care system, and agreed to implement reforms as alternatives to relying on hotel stays, one-night placements, and congregate care facilities. The state will implement new statewide models for supporting youth in foster care and their families and to collaborate in additional ways with child welfare clients, alumni, and stakeholders to improve its policies and practices.

The state committed to implement or expand the following models to achieve system improvements. The proposed settlement agreement does . . .