SEATTLE (AP) — An agreement signed Monday will make changes over the next two years in the way Washington social workers deal with the 9,000 children in the foster care system in the state.
The agreement will increase the number of caseworker visits, reduce the number of times a child is moved from home to home, and help keep biological siblings together.
The Seattle Times reports (http://bit.ly/vzT8a2) the agreement is part of the state Department of Social and Health Services settlement of a Whatcom County foster child lawsuit known as the Braam case. Jessica Braam was bounced through 34 foster homes by the time she was 12.
Other changes as a result of the settlement will improve training for foster parents and the physical and mental health screenings for children entering the system.
