Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition
The Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition (CWAC) brings together organizations from across Washington State in order to present a united voice for child welfare system reform to the state legislature and executive branch. CWAC works to ensure that policy reforms are shaped by the voice of the children, youth and families they impact, and views every decision through the lens of addressing racial disproportionality, gender equality and the best interests of children and families.
Advocacy Agenda: Special Session & 2012 Regular Session 2011-13
Click the links for more information on specific issues.
SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET – Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition supports a balanced approach to addressing the current budget deficit. An all cuts budget will have significant and negative impacts on children and families in the state of Washington and must be opposed. New revenues must be obtained in order to mitigate devastating cuts to critical services. Click here to see our list of the most egregious cuts proposed for the child welfare system.
RACIAL DISPROPORTIONALITY AND DISPARITIES – The Child Welfare Advocacy Coalition asks policy makers what tools they are using to help ensure that policies and budgets don’t disproportionately impact children and families of color.
BRAAM v. STATE OF WASHINGTON PANEL – Ensure that the State’s progress on meeting the requirements in the Braam settlement continues.
Safely decrease the number of children in care
- Support the Differential Response approach to Child Protective Services
- Monitor implementation of HB 1965 – Adverse Child Experiences, including the transition of Council for Children & Families to Department of Early Learning, and the continuation of the child abuse/neglect prevention public awareness campaigns
- Engage in the Title IV-E waiver application planning process
Ensure that children receive appropriate care while involved in the system
- Improve education outcomes for children/youth in foster care
- Address prescribing practices around anti-psychotic and psychotropic medications of children and adolescence
- Monitor next steps regarding HB 2106 – Performance Based Contracting and other child welfare reform activities
Achieve permanency for children in the child welfare system
- Address barriers to housing for families involved with the child welfare system, including support for revisions to the tenant screening laws
- Increase placements with kinship caregivers
Successfully transition youth exiting the child welfare system
- Continue implementation of the Fostering Connections Act (Extended Foster Care)
- Safe Housing
- Support passage of HB 2048 – Document recording fee
Other CWAC resources:
Housing as a Barrier to Reunification (.pdf)
TeamChild (.pdf)