Fewer Washington kids are going to foster care despite steady stream of child neglect reports

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The number of kids in Washington’s foster care system has dropped by nearly half since the Department of Children, Youth and Families was created in 2017, reflecting the agency’s push to keep families together.

There are now 4,971 children and youth in foster care in Washington, compared with 9,171 in 2018, the first full year the department existed. Previously, foster care was overseen by the Department of Social and Health Services.

That’s despite the number of child abuse and neglect reports requiring face-to-face responses remaining largely the same over the years: Nearly 92,000 calls to report suspected child abuse or neglect were made in 2023, compared to a little over 93,000 in 2018.

The intent of the new approach is to provide support services to families and reduce any risks of harm, rather than separating families, said Patrick Dowd, the Department of Children, Youth and Families ombuds.

https://washingtonstatestandard.com/2024/08/17/fewer-washington-kids-are-going-to-foster-care-despite-steady-stream-of-child-neglect-reports/