Since 2007, statewide meetings have brought together caregivers and administrators and managers of the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Within DCYF and the caregiving community, these meetings are frequently referred to as “1624 meetings” (this number reflects the legislative bill number that created the committee). The meetings include foster parent representatives who are elected for a two-year term by other caregivers in their region, elected representatives from the Foster Parent Association of Washington State (FPAWS), and DCYF staff who are appointed by agency leadership. If you, as a caregiver, have questions or concerns you would like to have discussed at the meeting, use the link to the right to access contact information for a foster parent representative.
The committee discusses issues of statewide concern to foster parents. The regional members also help set dates for regional consultation meetings so local issues can be discussed.