As director of the Community & Family Services Foundation, I want to thank our legislators for their support of our state’s foster care community, from increasing foster parent reimbursement in 2015 to restoring and increasing service fees to private agencies in 2016.
With our state’s current foster care crisis, it is extremely rewarding to know those we have chosen to represent us are taking steps to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children. The problems will not be resolved overnight, but these steps will not only encourage foster parents, they will also energize private agencies to mobilize solutions for children in need.
A special thanks to Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Seattle, who spearheaded a bipartisan effort to move legislation forward. And a heartfelt appreciation to Washington state’s citizens who have opened their homes and hearts to our state’s foster children.
