Settlement in D.S. v. Washington Department of Children, Youth & Families

The settlement was announced on June 6, 2022. The Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families agreed to 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 plaintiffs had sued over DCYF's use of single-night placements or hotels over significant time periods and reliance on out-of-state institutions for children with behavioral health conditions . . .