Washington State Raises Family Foster Care Maintenance Rates & Implements Seven Support Levels

On January 1, 2024, the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) replaced its rate assessment system for foster care maintenance payments with a seven-level caregiver supports model that are based on the needs of the child or youth in care. The new rates are for foster parents and licensed kinship caregivers. Foster caregivers licensed by child placing agencies will now be paid directly by DCYF, rather than having the monthly maintenance payment flow through the child placing agency.;

DCYF changed its rate assessment process to assign a child to one of the seven support levels . . .