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

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

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/

[mommymarine2003]

1. This is so close to what we are experiencing right now trying to help one of my daughter's friends.

One of my daughter's friends from middle school who now lives in Vancouver reached out to her for help about two weeks ago. She has congestive heart failure and is a single mother of two young children. She lives in a mobile home. Last week we went over (we live in Oregon near the Gorge) to help her with cleaning thinking it would be a one-day job. I believe this was one of the most horrific things I have had to deal with in my life. I don't think anything has been cleaned in 2+ years. Everything was piled high almost to the ceiling. The kitchen was full of dishes everywhere with food that had been there for heaven knows how long. My daughter said probably several generations of maggots. It turns out the kitchen sink was broken, so I had to wash dishes in the bathtub. Yesterday we went over to work more on the kitchen and the children's' bedrooms. My daughter had to deal with more maggots and cockroaches. I worked in the kids' rooms. The floors were covered with layers of food, toys, clothes, etc. It was so overwhelming. We left the kids with space in the rooms to play. They were so overjoyed. We will go back in a few days, and I will bring my husband to help with moving heavy stuff and dealing with broken furniture in the little boy's room. We have no idea what more we will encounter when we continue to peel back the layers. All the floors are covered in filth several inches deep.

We have to decompress for hours when we return home. The kids want to come live with us, even though their grandparents live nearby. My daughter's friend told us yesterday that CPS has been there twice. It was beyond our comprehension that the children have not been removed from this home. We were hoping to help her get a case manager once we are able (if that is even possible) to get this nightmare under control. The mother can barely function/walk. Now there doesn't seem to be a point in calling CPS in Vancouver/Clark County if they already know the conditions of the home. It is a nightmare. Sigh!